COLLEGE LAND

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 July 1938, Page 8

COLLEGE LAND

ADDITIONAL FIFTEEN ACRES SECURED CABINET APPROVES PURCHASE. PROVISION FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS. According to advice received by Mr J. Robertson, M.P., Cabinet has approved the purchase of fifteen ■ acres of land adjoining Wairarapa College as an addition to the school grounds. The actual area is 15 acres 1 rood 28 perches. It adjoins the present College boundary and has a two chain frontage to Pownall Street, and two frontages to Cornwall Street, one of one chain and the other of two chains, the latter alongside the present right-of-way to-the College grounds. The area extends along the back of the houses fronting Cornwall Street on the north side. The addition of this area makes a total of 45 acres for the use of Wairarapa College ahd no doubt will be of great value in the future development of the college. The Government unimproved value of the addition is £1646.

The matter was brought to the notice of the Government at the instance of several members of the College Board, negotiations having first been opened last December. The board made strong representations to the Government for the purchase of the property, pointing out that it offered a great chance to meet future requirements of the college. In submitting proposals to the Director of Education, the board stated: — “1. Intermediate education: This question most ultimately be given consideration in this district and Masterton lends itself admirably for such project by the establishment of a Form II at Wairarapa College. Parents could be given the option of their children terminating their primary schooling after passing standard V and proceeding to the college. If agreed to, this step would necessitate larger workshops and bigger playing grounds which this additional area would provide.

“2. Trades schools and apprenticeship training. This form of education is receiving consideration throughout the Empire and its adoption generally in this Dominion would entail the enlargement of the present facilities available at Wairarapa College, which would naturally become the training centre of the Wairarapa for students in addition to which trainees for the teaching profession would be able to gain an insight and training under modern conditions.

“3. The Minister of Education’s suggestion that a school for retardates might be established adjacent to the College if the site were obtained so that its pupils could utilise the services of the engineering, woodwork, plumbing and wool-classing instructors, together with the use of the modern plant of the respective trades is another strong factor in urging the purchase of the property. ? “4. In addition to paragraph 3, the question of erecting a modern general clinic for the inspection and treatment of ears, eyes, mouth, teeth and a general medical inspection of all school children, both primary and secondary, is worthy of favourable consideration. “5. The purchase would provide an area suitable for experimental study in agriculture which should be an important phase of the school work in an agricultural and pastoral district such as this and it would further provide for a branch of agricultural activity not possible at the Penrose Training Farm. “6. As the College with its evening classes and its potential association with young peoples’ rural clubs should become a centre for the youth activities of the district the broadening of the school’s activities would be much helped by having ample playing fields which at the present time barely provide enough space for the pupils now attending the College. “7. By giving better facilities for sport, the College would be making a contribution to the effort for preserving the physique of the nation.” Mr W. Nops, as representative of the Renall Estate, to which the property belonged, was responsible for a substantial concession being given during the negotiations.