“UNLIKELY TO BE CLOSED”

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21827, 6 July 1936, Page 8

“UNLIKELY TO BE CLOSED”

CONTROL BY BUSINESS MEN?

POSITION OF CATHEDRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL

An assurance that there is very little likelihood of the Christchurch Cathedral Grammar School being closed was given yesterday by Mr H. S. Hobbs, in spite of an announcement to the contrary in the latest issue of the “Church News.” Mr Hobbs is chairman of a committee which is representative of present and past pupils of the school and of the Old Boys’ Association. The Cathedral Chapter had found that the financial position of the school had. made the closing of it imperative, it is stated in the “Church' News.” Although that was true in effect, Mr Hobbs said, the “Church News” had no authority to make public the resolution of the chapter. It was a matter which v/as still in process of negotiation between the chapter and his committee.

Arrangements were being made for a committee of business men to take over the control of the school. Finding itself unable to carry on, the chapter had made a proposition to the committee of parents and old boys, Mr Hobbs said. It was that the committee should take over the school on very favourable terms. The chapter would continue to pay for the education of choir boys and foimer choristers. It was felt that the school should not be allowed to close, said Mr Hobbs. Old boys and the parents of pupils considered that, if even for the sake of its traditions, which were closely bound up with the founding of this province, every effort should be made to keep the school open.