The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-11-13


The transportation question was the
thing with them.
DR.. Buttrick said that in Georgia, in
several districts consolidation had been
enected through consolidation, and that
the cost had been less than the amount
saved by consolidation.
Supt. Venable, of AsheviIle, said that
his county provided for the outlying dis
tricts by establishing primary schools
for the small children who could not get
to the central school house. The large
children were compelled to go to the
central school house.
Principal John e. Ray, of the Institu-
tion for the Blind, extended an invita-
ton to the superintendent to visit the
Institution from 4:30 until $50 this
afternoon. The invitation was accepted.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
When the Conference met again at 2:30
p. M, Supt ]. A. McAlister of Robson,
discussed the question of the best means
Of securing consolidation. He said that
on account of the large area OF Robson
county, and the comparatively small
population, consolidation of districts
was rather difficult in that county.
The difficulties ne had found he said
were local attachments and the necessity
of the pupils going long distances. These
difficulties he had met by showing how
the larger amount of money at hand,
because of consolidation, could secure
longer terms and better teachers.
He also showed how under this plan
a permanent school could be established,
at which good English education could
be obtained and from which lasting
benefits would result.
Supt. Hcfner, of Lincoln, said several
consultations had been made in his
district and there had been generally
very little difficulty, after the matter
had been explained. Three districts are
petitioning for local taxation. He refer
red to a letter in the Charlotte Observer
the other day opposing the local tax.
Supt. Cochran, of Mecklenburg, said he
knew who had written that letter. 1t
was a man who had no children. That
letter he said, would be answered at
the proper time. AS to the question Of
the small children not being able to
walk long distances, he said that he
would favor the children staying at
home until they were eight years old,
and even then they would get longer
school terms, because of the economy
that would result from consolidation.
Supt. Joyner said that ST., 900 had
been raised by private subscription for
the 1872 new school houses that had been
built
spoke on Location and Plans of School
Houses and Grounds" He said that to
accomplish the result of bringing the
he knew of no better means than a
beautiful home. He dwelt upon the
lasting impression made by pleasing sur
roundings Let US no longer call it the
school house" said he, ''but the educa-
tional home
In locating your school house, avoid
the centres of population, unless they
are the geographical centres of the dis
tricts.
If possible, locate near the most pub
lie road and some cross road. Accessi-
bility is of the utmost Importance, and
from as many directions as possible.
THE day is past when a lot of sixty
feet square is considered sufficient for
even a school house with one teacher"
The building of these modern school
houses, Supt. Venable said, greatly ad-
Yanced the price of land in the neigh
borhoOd. He cited the case of farm
er who had sold twelve lots out of a
wheat field for building purposes at an
advance of $50 per acre over the origi-
nal purchase price twelve months previ-
ously. This was near Asheville, where
a new school house had been built, cons
solidating two districts. The attendance
is 21O, and some of the pupils walk five
miles. There are many applications, but
the school is full.
He said he had thirteen rural schools
that were preparing boys and girls for
any institution in the State.
The results obtained by Supt. Venablc
seem almost marvellous, but as he said,
nothing is impossible TO those who prop
erly strive to achieve it.
Mr.. Thompson, of the firm of Barrett
& Thompson, architects, then explained
plans for school houses of one, two, three
and four rooms.
Supt. Joyner said it was bis purpose
to publish these plans, together with all
specifications, in a department bulletin
vprV soon