NEW GRAMMAR SCHOOL

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 275, 21 November 1929, Page 11

NEW GRAMMAR SCHOOL.

EASTERN SUBURBS SITE.

GOVERNORS DISSATISFIED.

"EVILS OP CENTRALISATION."

Dissatisfaction with the attitude of the Department of Education was expressed by members of the Auckland Grammar School Board of Governors in a discussion yesterday on a site for a new school in the eastern suburbs. ''The board i≤ continually up against the evils of centi'aliasti'on," said the chairman {Professor A. P. W. Thomas).

"We have been pegging away for over two years trying to obtain a site for a new grammar school in the eastern suburbe, and now we have not got one," said Mr. Ward Baker, when a letter from the Department was read advising that, owing to financial reasons, it could not see its way to purchase the site recommended by the board. Negotiations, however, were practically concluded for a site about three-quarters of a mile distant. The Department stated that it was not certain for what purpose the site would be used. The board first applied to the Department in June, 1927, said Professor Thomas. The board carefully considered a number of sites and had obtained expert opinion, with the result that the site adopted by the Department had already been rejected. The board took strong exception to the Department's decision, which had apparently been made after obtaining a report from one of its officers. The site selected by the board was a good one, he said. It was almost level. The -other site was off the main road and away from the railway, and owing to its low-lying nature it was subject to flooding. "Our experience with the Takapuna Grammar School has taught us that a cheap site is not a cheap one in the long run," said the chairman. It was decided to write to the Department asking what provision would now be possible to relieve overcrowding &t the other grammar schools. The site which it was intended to purchase could not be regarded as one specifically for a grammar school, said Professor Thomas. An Officer's Carelessness. A large file of correspondence was later produced by Professor Thomas, who stated that it concerned the supply of wall maps to the Grammar schools. He read a letter written to the Department, complaining of confusion in sending the maps, and also the Department's reply. Preferring to a complaint that the maps had been sent to the wrong schools, the Department stated that was due to the carelessness of one of its officers. „ "They admit that quite gracefully, said Mr. A. Harris, M.P. Professor Thomas said that while the board could not attack any one person it could certainly attack the system. "The system is a bad one," he said. 1 am certain that we can manage our own affairs better than it can be done in Wellington. We would like to control our own affairs and not so much centralisation." All the boards were not the same, ana it would not be wise for the Department to grant power indiscriminately, said Mr. Harris. , _ "That is the old. gag," remarked Dr. The chairman said that the responsibilities of the Auckland Board were much greater than those of the smaller Yrofessor Thomas also commented on the delay in obtaining a loan for additions to the Mount Albert Grammar School hostel. , He said representations were made first in March, 1928, and the loan had only just been approved. Is it worth while men serving on this board and being treated in such a manner by the Department?" he asked.