EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 212, 8 September 1927, Page 21

EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES

POSITION IN EASTERN AREA.

PROBLEM OF TRANSPORT.

COMMITTEE TO REPORT.

The question of the establishment of further educational facilities in the eastern suburbs was discussed at yesterjjrt meeting of the Auckland Education Board, the advisory inspector recommending that consideration of the request for the establishment of district high schools at Manurewa or Papakura be deferred, in view of proposals to establish s secondary institution at Otahuhu. Mr. J. Patterson said that at present the children back from the railway were not being given a chance in the direction of secondary education. The proposed new institution at Otahuhu would not rive relief to pupils living in Papakura and further afield. The position, however, would be met by the establishment of a district high school at Papakura. Mr. E. C. Banks said that when there was an up-to*-date high school at Otahuhu, the concrete roads would enable children to be transported from Clevedon and other parts within a quarter of an hour. The whole district could then be efficiently served by the high school. Mr. T. U. Welte pointed out that, when the Council of Education discussed the qnestion of the establishment of a high school at Otahuhu, a strong protest was voiced, and an application made for the establishment of a district high school at Papakura. Mr. Patterson urged a district high school for Papakura as soon as possible. There was a suitable building available, he said, and all that was required was teachers and furniture. He desired information as to what was being done in respect to the proposed Otahuhu institution. The chairman (Mr. A. Burns) said that it was realised by the Grammar School Board that another secondary school was needed in the eastern suburbs. Mr. Banks: It will be three years before they get it. Mr. 6. Brownlee said that it was recognised that 950 pupils were too many for the Auckland Grammar schools, and he concurred in the view that another secondary school was required for the eastern suburbs. Mr. H. S. Wi King said that it was certain that a district high school would be erected at Otahuhu, as the Minister for Education had approved.of it. He thought that if a school could be established at Papakura: without the expense of having to erect:'* .building before the high school was establishel, it might serve the purpose. A committee consisting of Messrs. Patterson, J. Boddie, and T. U. Wells, was appointed to further consider the qnestion, and report back .to the board.