ST. STEPHEN'S COLLEGE.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 209, 1 September 1920, Page 8

ST. STEPHEN'S COLLEGE.

DEPARTMENT FAVOURS . PRESERVATION. REPLACING PARXELL SCHOOL. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, The Auckland Education Board liae been instructed that the proposal to i acquire St. Stephen's College, Parnell. ! for the purpose oi' establishing a new primary .school ai. Parnell has been dei clined by the Department, co the Hon. 'C J. Parr informed the member for Parnell, ilr. J. S. Dickson, this afternoon. Mr. Parr admitted, in response to the latter's query, that it was a fact that the Auckland Education Board had made representations that such action be ' taken. The motive actuating the Board was the serious difficulty it was placed) in that the present primary school wasj obsolete and unsuitably situated. Trie proposal was to abandon - the site in favour of the section of four acres occupied by St. Stephen's College. In makingsuch representation, the Board that this was the only site available, and contended that it would fulfil a better purpose in serving - the education of some 700 children than in catering for a comparatively few Maoris. Mr. Parr eaid that he had felt it his duty to apprise the Native Minister and the Maori members of the proposal, and all had dieapproved of it. The Minister of Education added 'that the school *had a historic interest, in that it was the oldest school in New Zealand still carrying on its function on its original site. It had been founded, he believed, by Bishop Selwyn, while Sir George Grey and Sir Willia.ni Martin had taken classes ot instruction. "I have great'deference for traditions of the pact," concluded ID". Parr, "and my feelings are all against the proposal, and I have , already instructed the Education Board that tne proposal must 'be declined."