COBDEN SCHOOL

Hokitika Guardian, 25 November 1921, Page 4

COBDEN SCHOOL

BOARD CHALLENGES DEPARTMENT. CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 24. The complaint that children are beinjjr kept, away from the Cobden -School until a new building is provided was | made in Parliament oil Tuesday, when tile Minister of Education replied that the Canterbury Education Board had the* grant for a new school, but was not doing the work. The Education Board yesterday sent the following telegram to the Minister: Department's letter of October 13 expressly debars board from proceeding with ■rebuilding unless hoard provides £3OOO, which is impracticable at present. Further, lowest tender was £BOO higher than the combined amount allocated by Department and board. “The position,” said Mr H. C. Lane secretary of the lioard, yesterday, "■

that Cobdon School came under the management of the Canterbury Kduoation Board in 1910, when tbc amalgamation of the several education hoards took place. Soon afterwards tbc residents applied for a new school, and after a good deal of consideration, the hoard applied to the Department, for a grant. As it was apparent that owing to the increase in the cost of building the hoard could not expect a grant from the Department sufficient to cover the whole cost, it agreed to use some of its rebuilding fund for the purpose. although as a matter of fact no rebuilding money had been paid hv the Department to this hoard in respect of the Cobdon School. Unfortunately, grant authorised by the Department to. gether with the substantial amount the hoard was prepared to find out of its own funds, was considerably less than the lowest tender, of which the Department was informed, and in consequence of which it became necessary to defer the erection of a new building.” “The board has no information to show that parents are thinking of withdrawing their children. 99 Mr T.ane a*M od, “and the condition of the building does not warrant such a stop.”