SITE FOR SCHOOL AT BELMONT

Dominion, Volume 38, Issue 278, 23 August 1945, Page 9

SITE FOR SCHOOL AT BELMONT

The Wellington Education Board was advised by the Director of Education. Dr. C. E. Beeby. at its monthly meeting yesterday that departmental officers had discussed with the chairman of the board the advisability of securing a site at Belmont for the establishment of a school should the necessity arise in the future. The board had previously recommended the acquisition of part of the Speedy estate. In November last an industrial concern secured an option to purchase the whole of the Speedy estate, and the residents of the district became perturbed at the possibility of the establishment of an industry in what was primarily a residental district. They made representations to the Government that the Speedy estate should be acquired by the Crown, and it was understood, reserved primarily for recreational purposes. Upon being acquainted with this later development, the department advised the Department of Lands and Survey that, in the event of the Government acquiring the whole property. the iiklueation Department would be prepared to contribute toward the cost of the acquisition, on the understanding tliat an area of approximately five acres was made available as a school site.

“In this connexion.” proceeded the Director of Education. "I am pleased to inform you that advice has now been received from the Lands and Survey Department that Cabinet has approved of the purchase of the property,. and that arrangements are being made for the transfer of the area to the Crown. Subsequently a suitable portion will be reserved for the purposes of a publie school site, so that, should the neeeswity arise in the future for the establishment of a school, a suitable area for the purpose will be available.”