The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Auckland Provincial District]
Private Schools
Private Schools.
Ladies' College (Mrs. Moore-Jones, M.R.C.P., M.M., C.M., S.K., London and Cheltenham, principal), Boarding and Day School for Girls, Remuera, Auckland. This first-class private school is situated in the beautiful suburb of Remuera, about three miles from the general post office, and can be reached by a regular line of omnibuses, passing the college grounds. The school is conducted on unsectarian Christian principles, and provides a standard modern education with a thorough home for the pupils. The house and grounds are unique in accommodation, and afford unusual educational influences. There is a large staff, which comprises the most talented professors in Auckland. Prospectuses may be obtained on application. Telephone 808.
Mrs. S. A. M. Moore-Jones, the Principal of the Ladies' College, has had a long and successful career as a teacher. She is a member of the Royal College of Preceptors, London, and holds first class English and New Zealand certificates as a trained teacher.
Miss Hull, Principal of “Melmerly” Girls' School, was educated at Mrs. Glover's school, Symonds Street, and afterwards became governess at the school of which she is now principal and which was established by Mrs. Clayton in 1877. Miss Hull succeeded Mrs. Clayton in 1895, and has been successful in retaining the prestige of this well-known establishment.
Coromandel, in 1880. The present superior, Mother Ignatius, established the Boys' Industrial School and Home at Takapuna in 1894; and St. Leo's Convent, Devonport, in 1896. The parochial schools of the Sacred Heart, Ponsonby, which are taught by the Sisters, were opened in 1893. All these schools are flourishing and well attended.
Training College, Waterloo Quadrant, Auckland. Principal, Mr. William Malcolm. This establishment is conducted as a boarding and day school, both for general education, and for the civil service, education service, and the university. It occupies a pleasant position facing Government House, and commands a splendid view of the harbour. The college was established in 1892, and is attended by about seventy pupils. English, mathematics, and classics are the principal branches of learning taught, but any special subject may be included as desired.
Mr. William Malcolm, Principal of the Training College, Auckland, was born in 1839 in the Orkney Islands, where his father, also Mr. William Malcolm, was a shipmaster. Educated primarily at Stromness, and subsequently at Edinburgh, Mr. Malcolm obtained the honorary degree of F.E.I.S. in 1865. Before coming to New Zealand in 1870 in the ship “Chili,” he had held the important position of headmaster of a public school in Fire, and headmaster of the Grammar School, Stornaway. After teaching at the Spit school, Napier, Mr. Malcolm, in 1873, accepted the position of rector of the High School, Tokomairiro, Otago, and held it for some seven years. He was then principal of the Normal School, Christchurch, till 1890, when he took charge of the Hampstead School, Ashburton, retiring to establish the Training College in 1892. In Masonry, Mr. Malcolm is secretary for the North Island of the Grand Lodge, S.C., having at various times held all the important offices of the subordinate lodge. Mr. Malcolm has also been prominent as a volunteer, having been captain of a company in Stornaway, and captain of the Cadet Corps at Tokomairiro, besides being a member of the Hawke's Bay Volunteer Corps. He was for some time president of the Tokomairiro Bowling Club, and takes a general interest in innocent sport of all kinds. Mr. Malcolm is examiner under the Government for teaching and school management.
Auckland Commercial College (T. Harle Giles, principal). This institution was founded nearly sixteen years ago by Mr. Giles for the purpose of imparting to youths, outside the regular standards, a thorough commercial training. Mr. Giles had long been connected with the public schools as a successful master, but believing that the national system was too cramped, and fell far short of the practical requirements of everyday life, he determined to open a school in Auckland on thoroughly useful and practical lines. When a youth enters a commercial office he too often finds that he has to begin his education all over again. Mr. Giles' object was to remedy this serious drawback, and his anticipation that a school like his was needed, has been amply demonstrated by the flourishing condition of his establishment, as well as by many cheering letters which he has received from merchants and others, with whom many of his pupils are now associated in life. The scope of the college will be best gathered from the prospectus, in which Mr. Giles undertakes to teach his pupils:—(1) To write a good business hand by means of Mr. Giles' specially invented system, so long and favourably known. (2) To be correct and expert in the use of figures by the quickest and most modern methods, embracing a high state of efficiency in mental arithmetic. (3) To thoroughly understand the principles underlying book-keeping, by both single and double entry; and to keep and balance books by both systems. (4) To spell well. (5) To write shorthand (Pitman's system) at such a rate of speed as will make the knowledge of this most valuable branch of study an important factor in securing good business appointments. (6) To be efficient and expert in the use of the typewriter: the best and most modern machines are used. (7) English composition and practical grammar. (8) To correspond with case, fluency, and clearness of expression. (9) To perform with precision the thousand and one details of commercial routine. Mr. Giles also prepares candidates routine. Mr. Giles also prepares candidates for the teachers' E certificate, for scholarships, and for pupil teachers' examination. Morning and evening classes are held for adults, and are taken advantage of by those who seek to gain efficiency in business habits. Pupils may enroll at any time, and the quarter begins from the date of entry. Mr. Giles receives a limited number of pupils for private tuition at his residence. Mr. Giles was born in North Staffordshire, and is the youngest son of the late Mr. Henry Giles, C.E. After receiving a sound education, he filled several responsible position in London and Liverpool houses. His health, however, failed, and he left on a trip round the world, intending to return to England. But the climate of Auckland suited him, and he decided to make the city his future home, and, by founding his useful college, help on the great work of educating the youth of the Colony.