MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4441, 17 July 1922, Page 3

MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL

CONTROVERSY CONTINUES. OPINION IN KEREPEEHI. At a meeting of the Kerepeeni School Committee on Saturday afternoon further discussion topk place regarding the proposal to erect a memorial high school at Ngatea. Mr. W. Booth (chairman) opened the discussion, saying that a reflection had beep cast on the Kerepeiehi School Committee as a result of the discussion which took place at th? recent. Ngatea School) Committee meeting, and reported in the “Gazette,” with reference to the hign school site. Were it not for the fact that the cause of patriotism was being exploited to cast a reflection on this committee, Ngatea’s fiction could be dismissed as one not jvorthy of; consideration. One not suffering from “Ngateaitis” and who read the letter in the local paper (the “Gazette”) from the Kerepeehi committee’s secretary could see that the memorial to faller, and returned soldiers was never mentioned. It appealed that the Ngatea School Committee wished to create the impression that the Kerepeehi School Committee was opposed to the memorial for fallen and returned soldiers. This was not so. What they did oppose, and will continue to oppose, was the cause of patriotism being used by burdening the community for an exorbitant price for land for the high school site a: Ngatea while there was Crown Kerepeehi land admirably suited for the purpose from every point of view for those likely to attend the high school. From a sanitary point off. view it was also more suitable. The land could be obtained for a nominal sum.. Prooably a sum of £2OOO could be saved the Department by putting the school at Kereepehi. He believed the Kerepeehi committee had no prejudice against the Ngatea residents, who were to be complimented on their frantic efforts to make Ngatea what it would never be. The residents were making their last efforts to make Ngatea something like a township. It must appear to those without prejudice that Kerepeehi, with all (he Crown land surrounding it will make it into the township it is naturally adapted be. It appeared to the speaker that the proposer of the motion at Ngatea went out of his way to create a wrong impression in the minds of the people in that district The Kerepeehi School Committee had never opposed the question of any memorial whatever. This should be plainly understood by those who may have contracted an unpleasant feeling in their minds about the Kerepeehi School Committee. It was almost a joke to think of any sympathy coming from Ngatea towards the advancement of Kerepeehi. In fact, all who he (the speaker) had spoken to on the matter had had broad smiles on their faces at the mention of the fact. No doubt most people were aware that the size of one’s family did not have any bearing on the constitution of a school committee. though' this fact was apparently not realised by some people near Kerepeehi, The Kerepeehi School Committee had worked harmoniously among themselves and with the staffThey had found it an advantage to have the members of .the committee to be without children attending the same school, as hitherto dissention with the staff and the committee had been the means of the depletion of the school roll 'and hampering the progress of the school in general. Mr. H. D. Jamieson claimed that the expenditure of public moneys should be for the benefit of-the people as a whole. “Community crime” was not punishable, but was committed by all bodies, with reference particularly to the erection of public buildings. Influence and agitation seemed to govern the whole thing. The buildings at Ngatea were being erected to enhance the value of that community. The letter of the Kerepeehi secretary to the secretary of 1 the Board had been justified. There was no question at all about Kerepeehi being the centre of the Plains. He did not want to fight Ngatea, or want to stop education in the district, but he wished the money -to be spent properly. It Was obvious to anyone with an unbiased mind that. Ngatea could not be the centre. Mr. L. A. W. Bagnall, endorsing the attitude of the previous speakers, said it* appeared to he to be a novel way Ngatea had o>f. erecting a war memorial. If Kerepeehi was charged with being parochial, it was only through being in contact with Ngatea. The Hon. C. J. Parr had written that i,f a high school were to be erected it would be erected without any local contributions. He did not think the wooden building which Ngatea. woul.l be likely to get would be of a permanent nature as a war memorial should be. It was known to everyone that the Ngatea people were hawking the £5OO round to offer it tb the Hospital Board for a hospital. It was apparent to all that the procedure was being taken only to push Ngatea. Regarding “Plainsman’S” letter (published in the “Gazette” on July 10), the speaker said there had been a movement on foot to have a hospital. The Board had approved of a site at Kerepeehi, but had not had the funds. If. “Plainsman” would like to give a subscription he would be welcome to do so. Had the Ngatea people been putting up the whole of the cost for the high school there would nave been nothing done at Kerepeehi. It was such a small) amount being given as a draw, which was the objection.