As far back as 1884, there had been discussion about increasing Parkhill School to a two room school to accommodate the increased enrollment or of dividing the district into two parts. However at the school meeting February 6, 1888 it was moved by W. G. Hamilton, seconded by John Black that the Parkhill district be divided into two districts - the one to the north to comprise sections 27 to 34 in 3—5 and 25 and 36 in 3—6; the one to the south to comprise sections 15 to 22 in 3-5, and 13 and 24 in 3-6. Petitions were drawn up and forwarded to council.

Evidently this was not approved by Council, because at the February 11, 1889 meeting the school board decided to move the school building to the southeast corner of 29—3-5 owned by Robert Henderson, as it was thought this

would be a more central position. In some way, the school burned when being.

moved, and a special meeting was called March 26, 1889. It was moved by Sidney Farley, seconded by Duncan Falconer, that the trustees be authorized to borrow seven hundred dollars by the sale of debentures, for the purpose of building a new school. It was an unanimous decision. Walter H. Smith’s tender for building the school house was accepted in May and the school was com- pleted and opened September 1, 1889.

1889 — Mr. Harry Grills was accepted as teacher. At the meeting, November 30, 1889 it was moved by James Topley, seconded by Robert Jickl~ ing, that the school he kept open for the whole year. Thus the period of seven

months, or summer school as it was called, was changed to the full year with the '

exception of a six week holiday in the summer, and this change was another step forward in the Education system.

Harry Grills

My grandfather, Harry Grills, was born in 1870 in Campbellford, Ontario.

He made his way west and became a school teacher, a profession he remained in *

for eighteen years. One of his first teaching positions was at Parkhiil School north of Morden where records show he taught from 1889—1891.

4”

From Parkhill School I believe Grandpa must have taken a position at Union Point, Manitoba. He married Emma Lowe in 1894 at Union Point, where they lived in a small house across the road from the church.

Two children were born to this un— ion - my father, Norman, and my Aunt Ellen. Tragedy struck this happy family Harry Grills early in 1902, when my grandmother

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