HIGH SCHOOL HOSTEL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 229, 27 September 1930, Page 12

HIGH SCHOOL HOSTEL.

POSITION AT HAMILTON. PROTEST AGAINST DELAY. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) HAMILTON, this day. Grave concern at the repeated delay in connection with the commencement of work at the boys' hostel at the Hamilton High School was expressed at a meeting of the board of governors yesterday afternoon. The Director of Education, Mr. T. B. Strong, wrote saying that the lowest tender for the work was much in excess of the grant available, and that, the whole matter was at present under consideration by the Minister of Education. The chairman of the board, Mr. C. L. MacDiarmid, said ho had sent the following wire to the Minister: "Sincerely trust you can arrange for immediate acceptance of tender for hostel. Think you will agree that wo have been very patient." In reply the Minister wired: "Your telegram to hand. In reply I wish to say that it is not a question of patience, but of finance. I hope to communicate decision shortly." Mr. MacDiarmid referred to a suggestion made in a letter to the Press, that the board of governors was not acting with sufficient strength in pressing its claims for a hostel. He desired to say very emphatically that the blame did not lie with the board, but was entirely with the Department. He moved that "This board respectfully but very strongly urges upon the Hon. the Minister of Education that the erection of the boardinghouse for boys (for which tenders were called in April last) should be commenced and proceeded with without any further delay. This board considers that it has absolute justification for pressing this request." Mr. F. A. Snell said there had been a suggestion of political wire-pulling, but lie did not subscribe to this. He asked, however, if the difference between the Department and the board did not date back .several years to a conference on education when the board refused to consent to a proposal'to amalgamate with the Technical High School. They had definite rights in this matter. Why should Hamilton be pushed out while money was being expended in New Plymouth and other places. Mr. MacDiarmid said he hesitated to believe that because of the board's refusal to accept amalgamation on conditions laid down by the board that the High School was to be for ever punished by the Department. The motion was carried unanimously.