SCHOOL BUILDINGS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 257, 24 July 1920, Page 8

SCHOOL BUILDINGS

QUESTION OF PERMITS SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT MADE The Minister of Education (Mr. Parr; mado a statement yesterday with regard to tho position of school buildings under the Board of Trado regulations. 1 -Tho piuctice. hitherto, he said, had been that before tho Education Department or tho education boards could build a new Echool it was necessary to apply to tho Board of Trado for a special permit. The Government had now altera! this procedure in favour of school buildings. Mr. Lee, Minister of Industries and Commerce, had acceded to tho request of the Minister of Education that a general permit should be issued to tho Education Department for all primary schools. The effect of this would bo that the construction of primary school buildings might be procoided with without further referenco to the Board of Trade. "In order, however, tb-at tho necessary information as to materials required in tho various localities should bo 'available, a form of application will, be forwarded to tho boards with resjject to all primary school 'buildings, as from time to time their construction is decidcd upon," added Mr. Parr. "Tho result now will be that when a contract is let tho contractor will be able to givo the nectßsary assurance to suppliers of material that a permit has been obtained for the work. This latest concession to primary schools will enable tho education boards to deal expeditiously with their building programme, "With respect to high, schools and universities, these will remain subject to the regulations and a special pfimitfrom the Board of Trade will be necessary in every case. It is not anticipated that much difficulty will be placed in the way of university and high school extension provided "it can be shown that there are conditions ct overcrowding or of urgency, but primary buildings must take precedence.