CHILDREN'S PLAY AREA.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 217, 13 September 1932, Page 5

CHILDREN'S PLAY AREA.

FOR. NEWTON DISTRICT. OLD SCHOOL SITE PROPOSED. NEGOTIATIONS FOR PURCHASE. If the Education Department will sell the sito on which the old Newton East School stands, there is every likelihood of a children's playing area being formed there. Towards the end of last year the Misses Souter, of Purnell, intimated to the City Council that they would be prepared to provide the money to purchase a site for the forming of a playground for Newton children. The City Council accepted the oiler, and the first site favoured was a vacant section nearly at the bottom of the left-hand side of West Street going dowu from Karangahape Road. However, the price asked was considered too great, and the city engineer, Mr. Jus. Tyler, then decided that a suitable place for a recreation ground would dp the site on which the old Newton East School stands at the corner of Belgium and KasT Streets. This was submitted tj the Misses Souter, who approved of it. The Education Board was asked last February to put a price upon the section, but beyond receiving a reply that the matter had been considered and left to the chairman of the board and a member to report, the City Council has heard nothing further. This may have been due to the fact that there has been a change in the chairmanship of the board. The city engineer is again communicating with the board, and a definite reply as to whether the site is for sale should be received within the, next week. The area surrounding the old Newton Kast School is very congested, and there are many small children.