NO DONATION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 142, 18 June 1935, Page 9

NO DONATION.

WAITEMATA POWER BOARD. The Waitemata Electric Pdwer Board yesterday afternoon decided not to support the request for financial assistance made by Mr. S. Irwin Crookes on behalf of. the Engineering School of the Auckland University College. The concensus of opinion was that it was not the function of a power board to help to support a university. One suggestion made by Mr. Crookes was that a resolution bo sent to the Minister of Education, Mr. Smith, supporting and emphasising the claims of the engineering school. The chairman, Mr. W. R. T. Lcighton, moved that the resolution be sent. He said it was not the policy of the board to support "that sort of tiling." but (o supply electricity iu the best and cheapest way. As an amendment, Mr. S. E. Kennlngs moved that the sum of £25 be donated, lie felt the position of the school keenly. Unless everyone in the province co-operated it was likely that the school would be closed. Parents could not afford to send their sons down to Christchurch.

The manager of the board, Mr. A. Main, said that so far as he knew only two local bodies had given money, the Auckland City Council and the Auckland Electric Power Hoard. Mr. G. E. Severne thought it would be a loss to Auckland if the school were closed. A further amendment was moved by Mr. 15. Aldridge. He suggested tlid't the different power boards in the district of the Auckland University College should be asked their opinion. He had taken a different view when the matter was before a local body, but a power board was different. Engineering was the concern t>f a power board. Both amendments were lost, and the chairman's motion carried.