CORRESPONDENCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 April 1921, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

A REPLY. t (To the Editor). ' Sir, —Permit me to reply to some . of the Hon Mr Michel’s letter. In' reply | to lily state mo n't that the High School Bdat'd did rit.it riidet very ofteri Mr Michel still,es “we have no business' tsxCfipt to tlurSe the furlds Slid pity Over to the governing authorities of the Hokitika School as much as possible to assist Secondary or High School work.” Now Mr Editor, this is quite true and what 1 have been contending, there hits been too much nursing instead of HiHtlifig' fo iiivest the fuifds and use the endowments to best rid/riritrige, If this had been done the Hokitika District High School would have had as much as the possible that Mr Michel admits it is entitled to. I have never personally or have I heard anyone mention travelling expenses. What Mr Michel refers to in the way of my own and another member of the Committee’s “compliments” 1 do riot, know, but do not think there is ariy crtll for- sarcasm, Tile letter re•fers to the' litci- that previous committees have acknowledged aid given, This is quite beside the question. My contention is that the Board in t\ie past did what they could according to their means: Hut for Soriie time past a change tills coiiie dyer fhfe' ctistrict,• arid rental values ill addition to interest, have risen, and if the Board did their best with the means at their disposal our High School would have much greater assistance than it is at present receiving. In clause 6Mr Michel states that “applications were called on several occasions for leasing or renting the property,” It is just nine years this month since any such applications were called, No applications were called when the present occupier took possession, If Mr Michel would read my remarks? as Set ftifth in yotifi Tuesday’s issue, hF cdrild easily Sice wlmt I am contending for and where an increased revenue coukl be obtained. This is a vital question affecting more particularly the young people of the district. Greater financial assistance is necessary for our District High School if we are to keep pace with the other districts in the Dominion, This can be done if the High School Board increases its revenue in proportion to its capital. I am etc., W. H. SHANNON. Hokitika, April 22, t92i. HOKITIKA HIGH SCHOOL BOARD. (To the Editor).

Sir, —'the letitt Signed “Member of School Committee,” in to-night’s issue of vour journal, lias been read with interest arid allow me to say:—

(1) I rim glad the writer admits that the facts 1 and figures Quoted by me in m v previous letter are quite correct. ‘(2) “Mcmbbr (J School Committee” says "What we do wa?ff Is a hostel for beys.” Very well, let the Scln'i'il Committee establish- it, Personally 1 shall certainly be prepared to hand over for a term of years (at a pepper corn rental) the property that he thinks so suitable for the purpose. I believe every other member of the High School Board would also agree to tins. There is however, no power under the “Hokitika High School Act” for the governors to establish such an institution. (3) The writer of the letter referred to is also sorely troubled at the way the Board’s funds are invested. May I explain that the money has always been put oil fixed deposit in the Bank of New Zealand for two years at, the highest current rate of interest. Until this deposits mature we have no money to take up government debentures. “Member of School Committee” should remember that Gritetnment war bonds and other gilt-edged securities have only fallen in price owing to the present financial stringency during the past few weeks. There were certainly no Government bonds available at a pi ice which would yield the 6} per cent interest mentioned at tbe householders meeting on Monday night. (4) As to the concluding paragraph in vour correspondent’s letter, I have nothing to say.

1 am etc., H. L. MICHEL,... Chairman High School Board. Hokitika, April 21, 1921.