A VEXED QUESTION.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 October 1915, Page 8

A VEXED QUESTION.

ACCOMMODATION AT THE HIGH , SCHOOLS. DISCUSSION AT BOARD'S MEETING. The question of providing additional accommodation at the Boys' and Girls' High Schools, which has been before the High School Board for some time past, was further ventilated at last night's meeting in a somewhat lengthy discussion. Mr. H. Trimble stated that he had visited the Girls' school and boarding house since last meeting, and had found that the position was even worse than he had expected. Mr. M. Fraser said that the Board had discussed the matter long enough, and the question that now stared them m the face was what they should do. From a conversation with the architect he was convinced that they would not be able to erect, in concrete, buildings they required, viz., Girls' School, Girls' Boarding House and Boys' Boarding School for anything like the money they had available. He thought that the Board would have to give up the idea of building in concrete. The chairman suggested that the matter should be taken in committee, but Mr. Fraser said that the matter was one in which the public were interested, and it should be thoroughly ventilated. Continuing, he said that the Board should determine what it intended to do. Personally,' lie thought that they should first put the Girls' School in the same positi.on as the boys were at present. They should obtain estimates j for the Girls' School and the Girls'! Boarding School. No one was more in sympathy with the disabilities under which Mr. Moyes and the boys' school were working at present, and they deserved every assistance, but he thought that the present condition of the girls' side was a scandal, and should not be tolerated. He suggested building cheaply and comfortably in wood. Never mind building for posterity. He thought they, would also be able to erect a private house for Mr. Moyes at the Boys' School, and also alter the present residence to accommodate the boys. Mr. Fox agreed with the proposals. The girls had not had the treatment in the past that they should. He intended to work in the best interests of the school, and he thought that the girls should have the first consideration. The chairman pointed out that the Board had done its utmost in the past. The partitioning of the two schools had been alleged to have done great injury to the girls, but he affirmed that it had been an advantage, as it had raised the status of the girls' school equally with that of the boys. The experiment had proved entirely successful.. The girls' school had gone up considerably, whilst it was not necessary to find words in favor of the boys' school, as the fact that pupils came from as far as Wellington and Auckland spoke for itself. He considered that the Board had done what it could in providing the present accommodation for the girls. Mr. Webster agreed that tenders should be called. He thought the Board should build on a comprehensive scheme. If found too costly, then they should cut off some of the wings and complete when funds were available. He opposed building in wood. They should not erect buildings that they would be sorry for in a few years or that would need renewing. The architect's report showed that the plans for the Girls' School and Boys' boarding establishment was nearly complete, but those for the Girls' boarding establishment were not so advanced. ,Mr. Ewing expressed surprise at the trend of the discussion. When he pointed out, some months ago, that there .was not enough money available to carry out the work in concrete, and suggested that plans should be obtained for wood and asbestos, he did not find a seconder. He considered that a lot of time had been wasted. Mr. Fraser remarked that they then anticipated receiving a grant of £4OOO from the Government. Mr. Hutchen said that the Board had not restricted the architect to the amount available. Mr.- Ewing said that he had always been a strong advocate of the Girls' boarding establishment as long as they were getting the Government grant of £4OOO. At present he thought that the accommodation for the girls was fairly good, whereas on the boys side there was not sufficient accommodation. There was no room in case of sickness, a»u, moreover, the Board had treated the principal shamefully in practically utilising all the accommodation in his private house for boarders. That Mr. Moyes voluntarily agreed to this in no way lessened the Board's responsibilty. The accommodation at the Boys' School had been called into question, but at the Girls' School it had not. He thought they should erect the Girls' School first, then the Boys' boarding establishment, and afterwards, if sufficient funds, the Girls' boarding establishment. If they waited for plans of the latter before calling tenders for the first two, there would be four weeks' delay. He moved that tenders be called for the Girls' School and Boys' boarding establishment, and that the Girls' boarding establishment be held over meanwhile. ° Mr. Trimble pointed out that they did not have any plans or estimates before them. Mr. Fraser thought that it was absurd to talk of carrying out their old plans in the face of the new circumstances, and it was for the Board to decide 'what radical change to make. They had not the money for the three proposals, and they must decide which they were justified in dropping. If they did not erect a boarding establishment' on the site of the new Girls' School he thought they would have to drop the question of a boarding school for girls entirely. The chairman preferred to build in concrete, but would submit to the best means at their disposal. He had considerable sympathy for the Boys' School also. He proposed that plans be obtained for buildings in wood and asbestos for Girls' School and boarding house, principal's house and for altering the present principal's house so as to accommodate the boys. This was seconded by Mr. Trimble. Mr. Dockrill said that it would be necessary to erect a large kitchen and dining-room at the Boys' School. Niger House would also have to be retained! Mr. McHardy thought that when plans were ready ior the Girls' School and Boys' boarding establishment, tenders should be called for these works at once. If they cost more than anticipated the plans could be cut down. The chairman said that the plans of the school had. been approved by the Department, and could not be altered. Mr. Hutchen moved as an amendment, that alternate tenders be called, in concrete, or wood and asbestos, for the erection of the Girls' School, Girls' and Boys' boarding establishments. This was seconded by Mr. Webster and carried. Mr. W. N. Ewing moved a further amendment that the architect be in-

structed to furnish the plans of the Girls' School and Boys' boarding establishment, and that as soon as finished, alternate tenders be called for their erection in wood or asbestos. He wanted to make a start, and if there proved to be enough money to erect the three •buildings there would be no further trouble. By this means he thought the Girls' School would be ready for the opening term of next year. Mr. Fraser considered that as they had jettisoned the girls, it was their bounden duty to provide for the girls first. Mr. Trimble considered that they also owed a duty to the principal of the Boys' School. The amendment, which was seconded by Mr. McHardy, was lost. The architect is to be asked to prepare the plans for the three buildings as quickly as possible, and a pecial meeting will be held to arrange re calling tenders. °