MINISTER IN PALMERSTON NORTH.

Otaki Mail, Volume XXVIII, 16 April 1920, Page 4

MINISTER IN PALMERSTON NORTH.

EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS. PROPOSED ST. HELENS HOSPITAL The Hon. C. J. Parr, Minister for Education, visited Palmcrston North in Saturday and inspected the local ;ehools, under the guidance of Mr J. A. Nash, M.P. He was taken to the Girls' High School, now in course of erection, and expressed himself as being very pleased with the building and with the site. The Minister was waited upon by the chairman and headmaster of the SollcgC Street. School, and was urged n expedite, the erection of the new nfant school, as at present some of the pupils are being taught in the Presbyerian Sunday School. Mr Parr pronised to make enquiries regarding the plans. He expressed the opinion that owing to climatie conditions - open-air schools were unsuitable for New Zealand. At tho High School a request •vast roado for an additional grant for the boys' hostel, but the Minister said the Board should wait and see what tho tenders for the hostel amounted to befurc asking for additional money. He also said that owing to the increased charges for labour and material it vould not be possible to obtain more than a third of the new buildings expected from the Education Department's building jirogramme. Mr Parr was shown by members of the Hospital .Board some premises in College Street that it was suggested hould be acquired by the Government .-or a St. Helens Home, and he pronised to look into the matter with the rhiet executive officers of the Department after Dr. Yalintine visits Palmer,tou North next week to inspect varini.s buildings suggested for such an inii'.ution.