TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5278, 23 May 1928, Page 2

TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL

BUILDING FOR PAEROA.

MINISTER REFUSES! SANCTION.

During the visit of the Minister of Education (the Hon. R. A. Wrjght) to Paeroa in March a deputation, comprising Mr A. M., Samuel, M.P., W. .Marshall (Mayor,), and J. C. H. McDonald (chairman) and members of the Paeroa District High School Com" mittee waited, on the Minister, and urged the establishment of a technical high school at Paeroa. In. support of the request it was pointed out that negotiations were in 1.917 and finalised in 1918 tor the purchase of 13% acres of land at. a cost of £l4OO. The land was purchased for, a technical high school-site) in 1919. The claims of Paeroa for a technical high school were placed fourth on the list for the Dominion, as state,d by Mr. E. C. Banks, when chairman of the Auckland Education Board', in 1921.

■ After, inspecting the site the Minister stated that finance was thq { chief difficulty, but on his return, to Wellington he woul ( d review the whole position, and the deputation could rest assured that the request would re.eeive; his earnest consideration.

the following reply was received from the Minister, through Mr. A’. M- Samuel, M.P.:— “With reference to the proposal that a technical, high school should be established a,t Paeroa, I have to say that I have now - received reports. on the ma.tter from the officers of my department from which it appears that there are several towns in a similar, position to Paeroa, pf which two at least have prior claims in the opinion of my department, supported by the recommendations of the Council of Education.

“I fear that at the present time there is little hope of establishing any more technical high schools, in these centres, the attendance in no case reaching anything like the number required for the efficient conduct of a school offering varied courses of instruction. In my opinion the district high school in these centres can do all that is. necessary until the numbers of pupils attending are much greater than at the present time.”