AMENDED PRIORITY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26622, 19 November 1947, Page 6

AMENDED PRIORITY

NEW SCHOOL FOR OAMARU BALCLUTHA’S GREATER CLAIM Departmental advice that* the Building Controller had approved the inviting of tenders for a new school at Oamaru North provoked a brisk discussion at the Otago Education Board meeting yesterday. It was suggested by several members that the Balclutha School should have beeri given prior attention, and it was decided to bring this attitude before the department. “ I am of the opinion that there is something behind this, and that there has been a grave error of judgment.” said Mr G. S. Fincham. “ The Oamaru North School has been before the Building Controller for one month, while the Balclutha School has been before him for five months with still ■no signs of action. Balclutha has a far more urgent need than Oamaru North.” Remarkable Promptitude Surprise that such prompt action in regard to Oamaru North had been taken was also expressed by the Oamaru member, Mr N. H. Colquhoup. “ I thought somebody was pulling my leg until I saw the approval on the agenda,” he said. The chairman, Mr J. I. Fraser, said that he was not inclined to agree with the suggestion that the calling of tenders for Oamaru North-should be held up pending an explanation of the delay with Balclutha being given “I am in favour of pressing for the prompt erection of a new school at Balclutha as far as is humanly pos r sible,” said Mr Colquhoun. “At the same time, if we take a dog in the manger attitude it is liable to kill the chances of getting the. Oamaru North School for some time.” It was decided that a telegram should be sent to the. department welcoming the advice that approval had been given for the calling of tenders for the Oamaru North School, but expressing serious concern that the new school at Balclutha, which preceded Oamaru North' on the priority list, was not yet authorised. '‘The board regards Balclutha as more urgent, and points out that the department recommended it to thd Building Controller some months ago.” stated the telegram. “The board requests that you make urgent representations to the Building Controller to permit Balclutha to proceed." Reply to be Awaited It was further decided that the calling of tenders' for Oamaru North should be held up for a month until a reply was received. “Do they consider this board has no power of judgment? ” asked Mr R. R. Hunter. “We are not holding up the tenders or a month as a protest to the department, but as a protest to somewhere else.” The Musselburgh School Committee wrote expressing strong disapproval of the situation regarding school building activity, and advancing the opinion that something should be done urgently to give attention to older buildings. The committee requested that its protest should be sent on to the Minister of Education, and the board agreed to take this action.