HAVELOCK DOMAIN

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 49, 13 March 1937, Page 9

HAVELOCK DOMAIN

Education Board Grant Not Forthcoming USE BY SCH00L CHILDREN Though a reply was received from the Education Board that it could not see that there was any obligation upon it, either directly or indirectly, to as3ist by way of a grant, the Havelock NortL Town Board decded last evening to again make representations to the Hawke's Bay Education Board for a grant as compensation, or apppreciation of the fact that the pupils attending the Havelock North Sehool made extensive use of the Domain and other facilities provided by the Town Board. There was a lengthy discuesion on Ihe subject following the reading of the Education Board 's reply to the representations made as the result of the discussion at the previous meeting of the Town Board, and it was felt that there was every justification for again pressjng for some tangible appreciation and assistance. from the Education Board. "Your request raises a very important queStion of principle, applicable not oniy to Havelock orth, but to all boroughs and town districts," stated the Education Board 's reply to the request made at the last, meeting. It is quite a common practice for scho>ol children to make extensive use of publio reserves, such as is the case at Havelock North, and it is just as equally a common practice for children to make use of such reserves when school work for the day is over, or during periods when tn© schools are closed. "The view this board must take, therefore, is that the publie facilities are provided in the interests of tae recreation and health of the residents, and that such facilities are provided by the local authority as part of its ordinary administration. The board cannot see that the use, extensive or otherwise, of such facilities by school children should form the basis of any obligation on the board to contribute tpwards the upkeep. After all, the position simply is that the citizens of Havelock North have provided certain facilities, and it is their own children who are enjoying the use of them, "It must not be thought that the Board does not appreciate the fact that fine baths and a domain have been provided and that their use is not only much enjoyed by, but is most beneficiai to the children. This board fully appreciates what your board has done in this direetion, and it is a matter for congratulation that such fine public facilities have been provided. "Your letter makes mention of the Tegal pbsition, but it is quite clear that this board has no authority to grant financial assistance. . I may add, however, that your request has not been considefed mefely from that aepect, but more especially from the point of view of the principle involVed," Concludes the letter. Points Overlooked. "They appear to have overlooked the fact that in most Other schools the .Education Board provides the playing areas for cricket, football and other sport, ' ' said Mr. A. Ghristie.« "I think that is a very important fact." Mr. E. C. Stratton: They were talking of spending £400 for an overhead bridge or a tunnel underground for the children to use the Domain, but refuse us even a paltry amall contribution. "The Education Board should recognise what we have done for providing facilities for the school children and make some gesture of their appreciation," said Mr. J. J. Nimon. Mr. W. Paton: If the baths and Domain were not there then the Education Board would have to provide the facilities for the children. Mr. Stratton pointed out that recently about £400 was spent oU laying down concrete at the baek of the school, A member .... and the children rush otraight out the front into the Domain. ""We are faced with the upkeep of the Domain and baths, and feel we are justified in approaehing the Education Department," 3aid Mr. Nimon. The clerk, Mr. W. H. Anderson, said that on Wednesday last two. boys were sent to him from the school asking .or two cricket pitche* to be prepared. "This work was done," he said. "L has been done before and we are givmg the school an aetual eervice." Mr, paton; Why, the children are to oe aeen doing their drili op the Domain. Mr, Stratton i It's a pity they didn't give us some Of the £400 tbey spent on eoncreting the back, % . Mmisterial Approvai., The clerk said that as far as the legaJ position was concerned, it would bt lemembtn-ed that some years ago the same question arose and on that oecasion the then Minister for Education, the Hen. H. Atinore, advised Mr. A E. Jull, M..F„, that he regretted he was unable to make a grant from pubbc funds, but he had ascertained that the Auditor- General considOred the Education Boaid could make a smhll gfau; for the purpose, Tho amount toentioned at the time was £25, JBegardiiig tho statement that schooj children made extetisive uso of public parks, Mr. Anderson said, "You gentlemen travol a lot about the provinee, vVhere, may I ask, do the children oi any scnooi play on the public parks?" Several members replied that they were not aware of any such instance. "We migbt reply to the Education Board stating that vvhile we appreciate their viewpoint, we feel that under the circumstances we should be given some assistance," said the chairman, Mr, H, B. von Dadelszen. "We could point' w

out that we are providing such facilities and service as preparing cricket pitchee and football grounds and also point out that if these facilities were not so convenient to the school, then in all probability the Education Board would have been put to the expense of having to purchase .land for thoise purposes. Under these eircumstances we could suggest that the matter be reconsidered.. " ' After further disctiesion the ctalr--man's suggestion was put into the form of a resolution and carried.