Towns > Dundee > 1809-1912 - Dundee directory > 1911-1912

16 GENERAL NOTICE.
youth of a place like Dundee, is made a special feature; and it is
gratifying to know that it is receiving the attention of many who are
engaged in operative work.
The School Board, which was re-elected in April of this year,
shows a healthy emulation. Despite natural differences of opinion,
a straightforward effort is made to administer in a right way the
gigantic trust committed to its custody. Its anxiety for extension,
its aspirations after loftier scholastic ideals, and the determination
that its proteges shall have opportunities of acquiring such training
as shall fit them for any desired profession, deserve warmer
commendation than is often accorded. Dens Road School — typically
modern — will meet the wants of a populous and rapidly extending
area. The opening ceremony took place on 5th January of this
year. Stobswell School, which was subjected to so much adverse
criticism, has done so well that its success seems to have stimulated
certain members of the Board to provide the west end with like
privilege. This proposal has given rise to cleavage of opinion.
One party in the Board favour a reconstruction of Harris Academy,
which would involve an outlay limited to £8000. Another section
maintain that the adoption of such a course would be tantamount
to a misapplication of public money, and advocate the erection of an
entirety new structure to relieve the congestion in the schools in the
western districts. The outlay entailed would amount to about
£40,000, including site ; but, as an equivalent, the property in itself,
it is averred, would become a valuable asset, apart altogether from
the consideration of its academic functions. Whether or not either
scheme is given effect to, the ulterior aims are identical— namely,
the elevation of education in a popular sense to a higher plane.
In a subsidiary way, but having the same objective, our Free
Library, with its collateral branches and reading-rooms, is contributing
in no small degree. On the surface the influence may not be apparent,
but, all the same, through these agencies, unseen and possibly
unappreciated, there is an under- current of uplifting power that is
imparting a refining, purifying tone to the great body of the people.
The libraries fill up a hiatus that marks the transition from school
to college and the ulterior pursuits of life. Adults, it is true,
principally come within their scope ; and experience has shown that
amongst many patrons who have passed the stage of youth there
exists a desire for self-culture. Apart, therefore, from general
literature, works bearing upon all phases of technology are largely
in demand. It has been found, too, that the branches are creating
in each area an appreciative taste for sound reading and culture, and
that the class for whose benefit they were provided are alive to the.
advantages they confer. From the new Reading-Rooms and their
annexes at Ward Road much is expected. As a centre upon which
the intellectual life of the city will be concentrated, these splendidly-
appointed salons and their comprehensive resources will have few
compeers. In imposing solidity and equitable proportions the
structure as a whole will materially add to the architectural amenities
of the city. St Roque branch was opened by Mrs Urquhart on
December 9, 1910.