THE MOUNT COOK SITE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 191, 14 August 1900, Page 3

THE MOUNT COOK SITE.

DEPUTATION TO THE PREMIER. (PEB PBESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, August 13. A deputation waited upon the Premier this evening urging the granting of the Mount Cook site for the Victoria College. The Mayor introduced, and presented a resolution passed at a recent public meeting held in the Opera I House favouring the reservation of the Mount Cook site for college purposes and deprecating its being used for a barracks. Mr. Seddon said he gave place to no one in the earnest desire to promote higher education. The Government gave what was thought a good start to the College, and now the Government was again approached for j a site. Various sites had been offered, but it seemed to him that the deputation wanted the Mount Cook site or | nothing. It was a piece of crass stupidity in the first instance that the | Mount Cook site was reserved for the purpose of a prison, but he was not responsible for that action. He asserted that the Mount Cook Reserve was wanted for a public purpose, and the Government could not acquire similar land for their purpose except at an enormous cost. He deprecated the remarks that had been made upon memters of the permanent forces in cannection with the suggestion that the barracks should be erected upon the site. With tha demands made upon the Government for defence purposes the site would be required for a barracks. If the Government gave the site to the College it would mean a loss to the Government of about £IOO,OOO. However, he would place the matter before his colleagues and give an answer shortly. If the College Council were granted Mount Cook site to-morrow they had no funds to provide buildings. He believed the Oollege ground was the most suitable, and if that was] agreed to be would be prepared to give]