DEPUTATION TO MINISTER

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5254, 21 March 1928, Page 2

DEPUTATION TO MINISTER

TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL URGED.

CLAIM OF PAEROA STRESSED.

During the visit of the Minister of Education- (the Hon. R. A. Wright) to Paeroa yesterday morning the opportunity was taken by the High School Committee to bring under the notice of the Minister the desire for the establishment of a technical high school. The deputation was introduced by Mr A. M. Samuel, M.P-, who pointed out that Paeroa was a rapidly growing town with a prosperous district surrounding it, and each year the need for adequate technical education was being felt. >On behalf of the deputation M,r J. H. C. McDonald pointed out that negotiations were commenced in 1917 and finalised in. 1918 for the purchase of 8 acres from Mr D. Leach at £BOO and 5% acres from Mr E. H. Andrews at £6OO, a total of 13% acres at a cost of £l4'oo. The land was purchased for a technical high school by the Education Department in 191 Q. The claims of Paeroa for a technical high school were placed fourth on the list for the Dominion, as stated by Mr Banks when chairman of the Auckland Education Board in 1921. Nothing had been done up to the present towards the erection and equipment of a (suitable building since that time, and now there was a pressing need far technical education. Paeroa was the natural centre of a large district, and' the establishment of a technical high school woftld serve a very large area. The present high school training was splendid for pupils requiring an academic course, but the range of subjects taught did not go far enough if a pupil desired a technical education. In view of the fact that the land had already been purchased, the committee was very desirous of having something done in the near future towards the establishment of this much-needed institution. The land was ;at present lying''idle. The committee would) also like to remind the Minister that a definite promise had been made that a technical high school would be established .in P;aeroa, and would respectfully urge that Paeroa’s claim would receive due consideration. / In support- of the deputation the Mayor (Mr W. Marshall) said that the committee realised the financial stress and had not pushed its claim unduly. With the confidence that any promise made by the ’ Government or one of its Ministers would l be duly honoured, the request was now being renewed. Looking at matters from a dispassionate and unbiassed viewpoint, Paeroa was destined to become an important centre and railway junction, and it was hoped that the Minister would be able to accede to the request in the near future.

REPLY OF MINISTER.

In reply the Minister said that the committee had done quite right in bringing the matter under hi- s noticeHowever, he was bound to confess that so far as he was concerned new ground had been broken, and he had no previous knowledge of Paeroa’sclaim for a technical high school. He was willing to accept the statement that a promise had been given-. On his return to Wellington he would make it his business to ascertain what had been promised, and if anything had been done, and review the whole position. He believed and realised that Paeroa was destined to become an mportant town and centre, and he was in favour of concentrating schools in. such centres, as it was more advantageous to pupils and the department. Finance' was the main difficulty, but the committee could! rest assured that the matter would receive ihis careful attention on his return to Wellington-. REQUEST FROM KEREPEEHL

On behalf of the Kerepeehi School Committee Mr Samuel presented' & petition asking for a free or subsidised motor service for the conveyance of children in the Kerepeehi district to tihe public school. The Minister accepted the petition and (said he would be pleased to look into the matter. The Hon. A. R. Wright, accompanied by his private secretary, Mr W. Fauvolle, and Mr Samuel, left just after noon for Waihi.