A SCHOOL SQUABBLE.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 133, 8 June 1925, Page 8

A SCHOOL SQUABBLE.

LONG BAY V. BROWN'S BAY.

APPEAL TO THE MINISTER. A local squabble between the residents of Long Bay and the adjacent locality of Brown's Bay over the primary school which serves the two areas was to-day brought before Sir James Parr, Minister of Education, by a deputation from Long Bay. Mr. Miller, chairman of the Long Bay School Committee, said he understood the Brown's Bay peoplo were trying to get tho school removed to the southern end of the Bay, about a mile and a-quarter from its present site. Long Bay opposed this proposal, and desired additions made to the present school. He produced a communication dated June 0, addressed to the members of the Auckland Education Board, signed by the parents of some 20 Brown's Bay children, protesting against any change. Recently tho Education Board had applied to the Minister for a grant for additional accommodation at Long Bay, but since then tlie Board had changed its mind, and proposed to establish a side school at Brown's Bay. Sir James Parr said there was 6ome force in the contentions of the deputation that a side school should not he established, and that the additions should be made to the present school. He promised to place the representations of the deputation before the board for its serious consideration. He had no power to alter the board's decision, but, as the Government had to find the money, it might be said that the last word was, after all, with the Minister. He would be no party to any scheme which would prevent the establishment eventually of a strong central school with a good staff. He did ntft, as a rule, favour side schools. Already he had made a grant for the additions, and he would require strong reasons from the board before he gave his consent to a change.