LANSDOWNE SCHOOL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 September 1942, Page 4

LANSDOWNE SCHOOL

OCCUPATION BY HOSPITAL BOARD PROTEST FROM TEACHERS. POSSIBILITY OF FUTURE ACTION. The Masterton branch of the New Zealand Educational Institute/in a letter which came before the Wairarapa Hospital Board at its meeting today, stated that it viewed with alarm the appropriation of school buildings for hospital purposes, except in cases cf extreme emergency. The view was also stated that Lansdowne School should be handed back as soon as possible. It was explained to the meeting that the school had already been handed back. „ . . “It may be taken again, said Mrs J. Robertson. “There is no harm in protesting.” The- chairman. Mr H. H. Mawley, said the possibility of taking the school building in the future would be more remote, as a new ward was nearmg completion which would provide from 60 to 80 beds. . .. “We should make no rash promise, " observed Mr Trevor Beetham, who said the Department of Health had erected the necessary annexe at the school for its use as a hospital. The board, ho said, should tell the Educational Institute that' it did not intend to grab the school in any circumstances, 'but if it were necessary to take it in an emergency it would be taken. Mr J. F. Thompson said some people seemed to be of the opinion that the board had acted wilfully, without thought for the children, when it had taken over the school building. He was sure that this was the very last thing any member of the board wanted to do—to disturb the children. The members viewed with alarm the necessity of having to do such a thing. The matter had been carefully considered and the school had only been taken because of the urgency of the position. It was a question of protecting the health of the community and the board had acted very reluctantly. The board should reserve the right to take the building in case of an emergency and should make it clear that it did not want to interfere with the school except in a matter of urgency. Mrs S. Fletcher: “The Institute, is quite unofficial. It is a sort of union of teachers.” “I don’t care about the letter at all, said Mr W. B. Martin. “It all seems to me to be completely out of place.” When it was suggested that the letter should be received, Miss C. McKenny said the board should write to the institute and give a full explanation, in order to educate them. This course was agreed to.