SITE FOR A NEW WHAKATANE HIGH SCHOOL SELECTED

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 14, Issue 47, 5 October 1949, Page 5

SITE FOR A NEW WHAKATANE HIGH SCHOOL SELECTED

A site of approximately 15 acres has been selected by the Whakatasie School Committee for a future high school to cope with the increased population at the present time and in the future, said the chairman of the committee yesterday, Mr L.» D. Lovelock. The land to be used is an area between McAlister Street and McGarvey’s Road behind the anglican vicarage. Mr Lovelock said that this was the second site the committee had picked. Some months ago an area was selected on the corner of Landing and Eivers Roads of just over seven acres. It was Maori owned land and steps were taken by the committee to take the land under the Public Works Act. The proclamation was issued but following complaints by some of the owners the proclamation was annulled by the Prime Minister. An alternative site had then to be selected, Mr Lovelock continued. After full investigations the only large enough centrally situated site in the borough was the land in McAlister Street. It was duly obtained and the committee now awaits authority from the Department in Wellington before taking it over. Jr When looking for land the committee was faced with the task of finding an area that would be able to cope with the present and future meeds of the town. While it was realised that the land was low lying •and damp, Mr Lovelock pointed out that it was the only suitable site . that could be obtained and the committee had received responsible advice that the land could be drained and kept dry. It was damp now only because it had not been used or drained properly in the last few years. This was not the only site the committee was considering for future school purposes, Mr Lovelock .added. A suitable area had been set aside to cope with the probable increase in the population in the part of the borough near the present traffic bridge. However, nothing is to be done there in the meantime.