PLAY ASSOCIATION WANTS OLD SCHOOL

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 352, 12 May 1928, Page 13

PLAY ASSOCIATION WANTS OLD SCHOOL

OFFER TO PRIME MINISTER LARGE SUM INVOLVED Having secured large sums toward its building proposals, including £2,000 from the Auckland Savings Bank, the Play and Recreation Association, working in Freeman’s Bay and Ponsonby areas, waited on the Prime Minister, the Right Hon. J. G. Coates, this morning, and offered him £2O a foot for the old Nelson Street School site. The Hon. George Fowlds introduced the deputation in the absence of Sir Edwin Mitchelson. He stressed the value of the association, and said the word “play” frightened some people, but it had various functions besides systematic play, and was of great value. Very substantial sums had been given to allow the scheme to go forward. Mrs. Ferner, president and founder of the association, said the offer was for the city valuation of £2O a foot. The old building on the site had been used for over 50 years. It had served the children for that time, and they wanted it to continue in that service. She pointed out the value of the service being given by the club, and detailed the many activities and its fine results.. In the first year there were over 500 children attending the club, but the club had lost its temporary headquarters when the old Napier Street school was demolished. Mr. John Alexander, C.M.G., of the Prisons Board, said this was a working institution which was performing a national work in a spirt of love. He urged the Prime Minister to do his best to support them. The Prime Minister said that if the club attracted the children from the vocations they might otherwise follow to their detriment the name did not matter. The general object, he took if, was to give them an interest in life. -He had discussed the proposal with the Minister of Education, who had to consider the financial aspect, and there had been much higher valuations.

“I think this is a fairly generous offer considering that this is a voluntary organisation,” remarked the Minister, “and the public contributions are sufficient earnest of the public interest.”

He promised again to consider the position, and confer with the Minister of Education.