Hokitika High School Board.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 June 1922, Page 4

Hokitika High School Board.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7tJi

The Board met at 3.10 p.tn. Present—Hon. H, L. Michel, (Chairman), Messrs A. Clifton, T. W. Duff, J. A. Murdoch, T. W. Bruce. The minutes were read and confirmed. The Chairman reported that as a result of an intarview with the Borough authorities, the Board would only have to pay rates for the section of which Government House was erected, about £0 or £Z, or a sabing of about £3O. The Chairman stated that in connection with tenders recently called that a meeting had been called but had lapsed, but it was resolved to call tenders and leave to this meeting to bceide what should be done. Since then there had been a new departure, as a result of the visit of Hon. Mr Pair, who had stated that he considered the Board had done- wrong in husbanding .their resources as they had so carefully done. There was the question of erecting a hostel also brought forward. He was not going.to say that a hostel should nut be erected, but he was strongly of opinion it would not pay, as lie did not think they would got the support necessary to make it a financial success. There was also the question arising out of the other matters whether they should deal with the tenders they bad that day before them. He would leave it to members to discuss. By permission Mr J. J. Mclntosh ad. [ dressed the Board stating lie was a tenderer for No 8. If successful lie would ' remove the Supreme Hall on to it. Tf lie obtained the additional space be 1 would extend the hall considerably and make decided improvements. Mr Murdoch said he greatly doubted that the High School was possible. Ho also was not favorable to the hostel. He felt if tlicv could soe their way to making use of the reserve in a suitable manner then he would agree to accepting tenders, if the price were satisfaelorv. Mr Bruce felt this was one of the useless bodies in Westland. The Chairman and Secretary could do all the business of n year in ten minutes. All the Board lias done has been to help Hokitika school. The hostel was for the country children. It was not a question of making the hostel pay, it was a question of getting the country children into the High School. The country people were the ones they should eater for. The country children were not getting a chance to attend the high school. It. was a matter of indifference whether the hostel paid its way or not. As regard the tenders be thought that Hie term of 50 years lease was too long. Mr Michel said they were all desirous of doing the right tiling to tlm country. If a hosiel did not pav. ii would have to be shut lip, and very quickly at that. The School Committee should consider the aspect of the question that if tjiev had the hostel they would not have the fund to augment the salaries of the secondary teachers. Tie pointed out Hint a clause in the lease doubled the rental at the end of 21 years. ITo moved that tenders bo opened. Mr A. Clifton said while the country people would benefit by n hostel, he would not agree to it if it would tend to lessen flic proficiency of the District High School, then lie would oppose it. As regards the past net inn of the Board be thought that the course followed was in the best interests of education and the district. He .seconded the motion which was agreed to.

Tenders were then opened as follows: 0. J. Nightingale, €0 per annum for grazing purposes only. li. Jones—Section 3—£l4 per annum; Section 4 —£ll per annum; Section 3, 4. 5, 0. 7 £l3 for lot per annum. .7. ,T. Mclntosh—Section 8, £l2 per annum. Clements Motors Ltd.—Section 4. £ls per annum. The Board resolved to fix the prices as follows—Section 4 (corner of Weld and Sowell Streets) £l7; all other sections £ls per year. The eonditons include that tlie lenses shall In* subject to the High School Act, lessees to pay all rates and taxes; erect nil fences and repairs; no noxious or offensive trade or business to he carried on; buildings erected to he subject in approval of Board, and no nssignmont or transfer to he made without consent of Board. The town members were authorised to carry out nrinngemeuts, subject fo tenderers accepting the Board's offer. , ’l’he Board then rose-.