THE HIGH SCHOOL.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 August 1915, Page 7

THE HIGH SCHOOL.

NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE GOVERN'. ' MENT. MR. OKEY EXPLAINS POSITION". "WE ARE WHERE WE" WERE." A special meeting of the New Plymouth Higli School Board wasj held yesterday to hear from Mr. H. Okey, M.P., a statement outlining his latest negotiations with thef Government relative to the board's affairs. There were present: Messrs E. Dgckrill (chairman), W. X. Ewing, M. Fraser, D. Hutchen, A. McHardy, and Dr. Foolies. The chairman said that before proceeding with the business it would be necessary to decide whether the press should be admitted or not. He had consulted Mr. Okey, and Mr. Okey hall said that he had no objection to speaking before the press. Mr. Fraser said he thought the press should certainly be admitted. They hid read in the evening paper that Mr.'Okev had something very good to tell the board, and if that was so there was no reason why the public should not hear it. On the motion of the chairman, seconded by Mr. Fraser, it was decided to admit the press. Mr. Okey then said that he had seen the Hon. Sir Francis Bell in regard io the board's requirements, and Sir Francis had said he would see the board through in the matter. Since then the secretary of the board had informed him (Mr, Okey) that the board required a further £IOOO, and this meant that the whole matter would have to be gone into again. As Sir Francis Bell was only Acting-Minister for Education, Sir Francis thought that Mr. Okey should discuss the matter with the Hon. ,Tas. Allen (late Minister for Education) and himself. It was difficult, added Mr. Okey, to get the two Ministers together, arid as yet he had not been abl to do this. "But I do not anticipate any difficulty in putting the matter through," added Mr. Okey. Mr. Okey said that in regard to the £IOOO required he had told Sir Francis Bell that the rents which the board received from its reserves would be sufficient to pay interest on the £IOOO, and consequently Sir Francis Bc'l agreed to the proposal.

In answer to Mr. Ewing, Mr. Okey said lie understood that the additional £IOOO was applied for owing to the unexpected increase in the price of material required. "In point of fact we are just where we were before," remarked Mr. Fraser, Tin board was assured of £2OOO, and it would not have been necessary to borrow a further £2OOO if the Government had kept- its promise. Mr. Fraser asked Mr. Okey what lie thought the Government would do for the board now, when the Government was supporting another High School scheme at Stratford. 'Mr. Okey: I do not know anything about that.

Mr. Fraser: Are you aware, Mr. Okey, that your good work is at stake? The Government "went back on you, and I think it is up to you to go back on it. You never had such a chance in your life as you have now, when one vote i 3 going to make all the difference. Now is the time for you to play your right bower! (Laughter.) A Member: It might prove to be the joker! Mr. Okey: It's not the game to flay all your cards at once. Mr. Fraser drew Mr. Okey's attention to the recent meeting of mothers of pupils attending the Girls' Scliool, and lie said he thought the board would admit that the school is a wretched place. Mr. Okey: I do not think that meeting is going to have any influence with the Government. I do not think it will do any harm, and I do not tliink it will do any good. Mr. Fraser: Are you justified in ending the Department the plans and getting right down to work? Mr. Okey: The Department wants the plans; it is waiting for thorn. Mr. Okey added that he would attend to the matter on his return to Wellington, and would communicate with the board as soon as the time was opportune to send the' plans. Mr. Fra.se- said that Mr, Okey now seemed to realise that the board was in a very awkward position. The opin. ions voiced at the meeting of mothers of pupils were fully justified. The building was no good for a school, and it was certainly risky for the health of the children to keep them there. Mr. Massey had assured them that lie would see the board through, and surely that statement was to be relied upon. Mr. Okey said that there were several other districts in the same position as New Plvmouth, but, owing to the stress of the times, they had not presspd their demands, and it was suggested that New Plymouth was not patriotic in doing so. Dr. Fookes pointed out that tile Govctnment had been impressed with the necessity for a new girls' school before the war. Mr. Okey, in withdrawing, again asin:red the board that lie would do his ;te?t on his return to Wellington. Mr. Fraser. Remember the next elections, too, (Mr. Okey; this matter is going to help you if you fight it through. Mr. Okey: I never think of the elections; I always try to do my best. The board then discussed the plans with the architect, and it was decided to send plans of the following works to the Department of Education:—(l) Girls' School (estimated cost £4000); (2) girls' boarding establitaent (estimated cost £3500); (3) additions to the Boy*' School (estimated cost £4500).