THE BOYS' HIGH SCHOOL.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 June 1917, Page 6

THE BOYS' HIGH SCHOOL.

• THE EE-BUILDING .SOHEMS;- ■. ARCHITECT TO RECONSIDER PLANS. The proposals for the re-erection of the Boys' High School that was destroyed by fire some time ago progressed a stage further on Monday night, when the matter again formed tlie subject of discussion at the High School Board meeting. The chairman reported that he had interviewed Mr. H. J. Okey, M.P., who had the Minister reminding him that the Board had received no communication regarding its application for a grant towards re-building the school. Mr. Okey received a reply that the Department was waiting fbr the amended plans. As Mr. Okey knew that that was not the understanding arrived at when the Board interviewed the Minister, he had written again, and had received a reply from the Minister, stating that when the deputation from the High School Board of Governors interviewed him at New Plymouth, it was pointed out that the plans should be modified to reduce the cost of the structure to about £BSOO. In a footnote in his own handwriting the Hon. J. A. Hanan had added: "Until the amended plans are received and dealt with the question of making a grant cannot be settled." Continuing, the chairman said that at the deputation the matter had been deferred in order that the Director of Education could consider the amount of grant to be recommended. The question of amending the plans was mooted, but it was pointed out that this could not be done until the Board knew the amoiint of the grant, and it was conceded that" that,was a fair posjtion to take up. It appeared, however, that the Department had made up their minds not to grant anything to a building that would cost more than £BSOO. It was a matter of urgency, and lie did not think it was any use waiting for the return of the Primo Minister, and the only thing to do was to knuckle-down and have the plans amended, so as to allow of the £BSOO being spent at present, provision being made so that, the school could foe ultimately 'built to the present design. Mr. hj., C. Sladden thought similarly. Mr. Trimble thought that probably a new design would be necessary, as the present plan might not permit of only a portion being completed. Mr. Atkinson said it hinged on the question as to whether the assembly hall would be utilised for class-rooms. In some schools at Home four or five classes were taken in the assembly hall, and if that could be done here they could erect the assembly hall and one wing at presentMr. Webster did not think the Board should alter the plans, but should complete the building as far as £BSOO would go. ' Mr. Atkinson suggested that the architect should be asked to come to New Plymouth when convenient and confer with the principal and some of the members of the Board as to the amending of \he plans, and he moved accordingly. The chairman stated that he did not feel the Department would necessarily approve the plans after they had been amended. Mr. Trimble:' Not necessarily, but probably they will. Mr. J. S. Fox suggested that the/ should stick to the plans. * They Bhould ask the Government what they were prepared to grant. The Board itself had somo money, and the rest could be raised by public subscription. There were sufficiently wealthy men who, he felt sure, would subscribe, and they could not put up a better memorial than help to 'Build a school that would last for ever. - Mr. Atkinson said they could construct a building up to the limit of £BSOO at first, and then complete it later.