RIGHT OF CONTROL

Hokitika Guardian, 8 December 1931, Page 5

RIGHT OF CONTROL

SCHOOL COMMITTEE’S DESIRE GOVERNMENT AREA FOR EDU- * CATIONAL PURPOSES. Further reference to the desirability of acquiring the utility of a reserve in Park Street, was made at the meeting of the Hokitika High School Committee meeting last evening. Mr Shannon said that few places were so well set up with sports gfounds as Hokitika, and he would not like to see the ground in question passed over to a sports body when the school could use it to good purpose.

It was stated that the ground was not an educational reserve, a s had commonly been thought, but was Government properly. The Rector, Mr Menzies, said that if the school could acquire the tenancy of this reserve it was going to mean a tremendous lot to the school. “It is a necessity, not a luxury, or an extra, and I hope steps will be taken to secure its control.” Other bodies were striving after the same ends, _ and\ it would be rather hard if the rights of the schoolchildren were going to be filched from them. He considered the matter should be referred to the Member for the District, asking that the ground be placed under the jurisdiction of the school. “Next year,” he added, “I want to utilise part of it as an ex* perimental plot in connection with our science work.”

Mr Shannon: “How did the AuditorGeneral come to let the Westland Education Board spend so much money on it if it had no right to?” Mr Pedder thought that a resolution should first be sought through Mr Perry and Mr Wild, and then, if nothing was forthcoming the matter should be referred to Mr J. O’Brien.

The meeting decided to pursue the latter course.