DEPUTATION.

Evening Star, Issue 3302, 19 September 1873, Page 2

DEPUTATION.

The members of the Dunedin School Committee waited upon his Worship the Mayor yesterday, before the meeting of the Council, to request that [a, site might be granted in the Octagon reserve for the erection of a fourth school in Dunedin.

The chairman, Mr W. H. Street, said that a fourth school was imperatively needed in the City, and the only site available, so far as the Committee could see, was part of the Market Reserve in the Octagon. Had there been any other site suitable, they would not have troubled the Corporation. The necessity for a fourth school was so pressing, that the Committee sought the assistance of the Corporation to establish it. 'I bis was the more necessary, as the Government had promised to do something on a proper site being secured. Mr Stout said that, taking iut6 consideration that a fourth school was so much needed, and that the Government had promised to put one up on 1 any suitable site, the Committee considered that, 1 as the was doing so much, the Corporation without injury to the public property could give' effectual aid. If the Government 1 had to purchase a site, it would cost a large sum of money, and as there was only a limited amount available for school extension, it was impossible to spend so much as would be required. There Was only ohe suitable site at present open—at the corner of the Octagon. In Bell Ward Was the'most important population, bud the chief Want was 'a school suitable for that' Wajrd, In order that a fourth school should be established, the Committee asked the assistance of the Corporation, so that every aid might be given

to the Govettltflfent. He need not point out that L 30.000 had been Voted tor school buildings, but Dunedin could not expect a large portion of it, since there were so many claimants. His Worship thought the request should have been made in writing, so that the Reserves Committee might consider it today. The reserve applied for had been set aside for market purposes. Mr Walter hardly thought it necessary. The request of the deputation would be considered to-day. Mr !• herwin said that great numbers of families having children to send to school lived in Bell Ward, and the Octagon Reserve was in a central position. Some had said that the Corporation had let the ground to Mr Monro for a term of years. The Mayor said that was not correct. Mr Sherwin was glad of it. He considered the position very desirable. The Mayor said: whatever the Corporation might do, it would be for the interests of the rising generation. They had no wish to let property to a private person that could be more usefully applied. Mr Walter said it would be as well for the School Committee to understand that the ground had been applied for for many purposes—for the Fire Brigade and Volunteers—and (possibly the market might have to be extended. He believed the Council would render every assistance. Mr Robin supported the application of the Committee. There were in the Middle District School more than 700 children ; he believed 250 more than the buildings were calculated to hold. The Mayor said an answer would be given on Monday.