WHAKA SCHOOL

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 3, Issue 617, 23 August 1933, Page 6

WHAKA SCHOOL

M.P.'S VISIT MINISTER AGREES TO PROVIDE NEW ROOM RE-BUILDIN G NOT FAVOURED The Minister of Public Works, Hon J. Bitchener, made it his first business on arrival in Rotorua to visit Whaka in the company of Mr. C. H. Clinkard, M.P., and meet the natives interested in the school and the officials of the golf club. After looking over the building Mr. Bitchener discussed the matter with the committeemen present who explained to him that there was now ~a roll number of 170 pupils, with an average attendance of 150. This meant that there was insufficient aceommodation and the infant class had to be taken in an open shelter shed, which was cold and unsuitable. Generally speaking the committee would prefer the school to remain where it was with additional accommodation provided, but no serious opposition would he raised to any reasonable change. ■Chief Mita Taupopoki (told the Minister that he was opposed to the removal of the school and the giving away of the land. Ile had no time for the golf club which wanted to acquire the property. They should refuse to give the place away, Dr. S. H. Hay and Mr. E. La Trobe Hill also had a conversation with the Minister on the subject. Their atitude was that if the Government decided to remove the school the club was prepared to make an offer for the land. In the course of a conversational reply, Mr. Bitchener said he could not see money teing., made available for a new school. He was prepared to make provision for a new classroomi and heating facilities but thought the larger programme of re-building and removal would have to stand over until better times. Hp would not commit the Hon. R. Masters, Minister for Education, to anything further.