MATAURA SCHOOL

Southland Times, Issue 18855, 22 June 1920, Page 2

MATAURA SCHOOL

ACQUISITION OF SITE. At a public meeting convened by th« chairman of the school committee, Mr C. D. McConnell, forty householders were present. The chairman explained that application had been made to the Education Board for an increased area both in the school and playground and read the following letter received from the Board:—“ After considering the senior inspector’s report on the committee’s application for an increase in the school area, the board has decided to acquire a new site for the future main school, teacher’s residence, playground and glebe. It is proposed to arrange for the exchange education reserve sections 31 and 32, blocks XVII and education reserve sections 15 and 1 block V, for an equal area cut from Mr John Taylor’s property, sections 22, 23 and 24 block XVII, the area to be acquired to be about 10 acres.” After a long discussion in which the Mayor (Mr John Lowden), Messrs H. B. Heaps, G. C. Batchelor, G. Irwin, H. Osbourne, John Richmond and J. Ingram took part, Mr A. Balneaves moved “That it be a recommendation to the committee to ask the board to select a site from Mr J. Blaikie’s property on the west side of the river.” This was seconded by Mr Robert Winning. Mr A. N. McGibbon moved gn amendment in favour of the board’s decision. He said that Mr Blaikie’s section was in the flood area and the health of the children, should be considered. The committee should be recommended to secure the site recommended by the board. The amendment was not seconded and the motion was carried with one dissentent. It was further resolved, on the motion of Mr Lowden, seconded by Mr Batchelor, that a deputation from the meeting wait upon the Education Board in connection with the matter, the deputation to consist of the Mayor, Messrs G. Irwin and D. M. McDonald (outside the committee) and Mr C. D. McConnell and J. N. West representing the committee. A vote of thanks to the chair closed the meeting.