THE BOYS' HIGH SCHOOL.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 February 1917, Page 6

THE BOYS' HIGH SCHOOL.

DELAY IN REBUILDING, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT CRITICISED. Although it is now several months since the fire occurred at the Boys' High School, matters in connection with the rjjjuilding of the class rooms are not making much progress. The Board has had plans prepared for a suitable building and submitted these to the Education Department with requests for financial assistance. The Board's architect has interviewed officials of the Department, and there has been considerable correspondence over the matter. At last night's meeting of the Board the question again came before the Board, and some straight speaking was indulged in. A letter was under discussion from Dr. Anderson, Director of Education, who pointed out that before any proposals for rebuilding the Boys' School could be considered it would be necessary for the Board to send amended plans which, as had been suggested, should not be on lines not exceeding a total estimated expenditure of £SOOO, including furniture, etc. Information 'Was also required regarding receipts and expenditure. The Board was also asked to state what steps it proposed to take for the repayment of the loan of £12,000. The chairman said that apparently the Department intended to give the Board all the/ trouble possible. To reduce the expenditure to £BO,OO meant that allowing for furnishing and architect's fees, only £7OOO would he available for the building. A building that was at all suitable could not be put up for Jiat sum, and he thought the Department should be plainly told this. Personally he would r.ot support any amendment of the plans, which were absolutely the minimum of the Board's retiuiremonts. They had experience of this cliurosparing policy in the Girls' School, which, though jusfT completed, was now full and would soon require additions. If the Education Department wanted to amend the plans, let them do so and take the responsibility. Mr. Webster thought that the plans should be adhered to. They should let tl.e Minister know their requirements. He should be invited to the district to see the growth of the school and the hard-hips that it had to undergo. The treatment was scandalous. If the Minister were to meet the Board some mutual financial arrangement might be made. 'Hie chairman said that the matter could not be settled by correspondence. Mr. J. S. Fox considered the Department was hedging all the time. It was a fcandal.th.it they should be treated as they were. Instead of assisting them the Department was placing a damper on the Board. '' He wanted to know whether it was the duty of the 1 Education Department or the public to provide the building. ' Mr. Trimble: The Department. Mr. Fox: Evidently they want to put the onus on the public,- acting on the principle of helping those who help themselves. It was quite time for tin Board to act and not to sit talkine about the matte.-. But for the good lu'ss the Jockey Club it. would be im possible to have the school at present The, Minister should be again invited tc visit New Plymouth, and they couh. then point out that it was impossible tc amend the plans. The chairman remarked that the school's relationship to the Province as well as to New Plymouth could be plac ed before the Minister. Mr. Trimble pointed out that tin Minister on more than one,occasion ha; shown that he was hostile to High Eehools. Mr. Smith said that the policy of th< Department was evidently to shirk it' responsibility. He favored the Boarc i calling a public meeting to discuss tin | matter and place it strongly before tin ' authorities. ; Members ot the Board agreed that ii ' might be advisable to call a publii ' meeting over the question, i Finally it was decided to invite thi i Minister to visit New Plymouth, and, oi i receipt of the reply, a 'special meeting fat y d>e,Board willJbac.alled. ■ ■'-,.' .-.