HIGH SCHOOL FOR MASTERTON

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 44, 15 November 1919, Page 9

HIGH SCHOOL FOR MASTERTON

—. —+ FISH PONDS SITE FAVOURED. By Telegraph—Special Correspondent. Masterton, November 14. Tho Mayor (Mr. W. H. Jackson) prosided over a public meeting held in Masterton last night to consider. tho question of the proposal to orect a high school. About 50 people wero present, the Rev. G. T. Brown, M.A., representing the Progressive League. It was urged that finality be come to in the matter, and that an academio high school bo instituted as soon as possible. Mr. D. A. Piclcoring epoko on behalf of the School Committees' Association, which he said stood for a high school with full academic courses. Tho association was desirous of pushing on tho movomflnt. Mr. J. M. Coradino, ohairman of the Technical School Board of Managers, favoured tho establishment of a technical high school. This idea was his, nnd did not emanate from the body ho represented. Mr. W. T. G'rundy said there was plenty of room in the district for the development of a firet-class high school proper, which would obviate the necessity of sending their children to Wellington or Wanganui. Two sepai'ate institutions wero wanted. Mr. E. G. Eton was in. favour of an academic l high school, which should be erected on tlie very fine site offered 1 by tho Trust Lands Trust-the fish ponds site.- ' Mr. H. M. Boddington epoko on tho lines of the previous speaker. Mr. W. Blackman supported the views of Mr. CoTadine, and said that it was generally agreed that night classcswould shortly be things of the past, therefore a combined institution would servo all requirements. ' ; Mr. C. E. Daniell expressed regret that, a meeting had not been cajlcd long ago. Many in tho room had sneered against those who were out to do something. It was a pity that they did not come out and fight in the open. If a technical high school were wanted, let them say so; if an academic school, then make that their objective. He favoured a technical high school. . Mr. Richard Brown moved: That in tho opinion of this meeting the best institution to ho established in Masterton is a high school, puro and simple." Mr. A. W. Chapman seconded the motion. and it was carried unanimously. . Mr. F. W. .Temple moved; "That in the opinion of this meeting the Trust Lands Trust property adjacent to' the Acclimatisation Society's fish ponds is tho most suitable site for a high school.' The motion was carried unanimously. This eite covers twenty-six acres. The chairman stated m conclusion that there was another mntter that required attention. Some time ago lano.' had been acauired near the Lansdowne 6chool for ;the' purpose of erecting an agricultural collece.. Ihe land, which comprised 216 acres, was not used for . this purpose,- and ho suggested that bo reserved for a girl's high school, which would be necessary in tho future, when the proposed high school would bo inad*auate to accommodate both boys and eirls. Ho moved that the authorities ,be asked to earmark this land for educational purposes. Mr. Daniell seconded tho motion, and it was carried.