HIGH SCHOOL IN EAST

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28558, 11 April 1958, Page 3

HIGH SCHOOL IN EAST

North Brighton Investigation

A fourth site for a high school in the east is now being investigated by the Christchurch Postprimary Schools’ Council at the request of the Minister of Education (Mr Skoglund). It is adjacent to and just north of the North New Brighton School. The Post-primary Schools’ Council inspected the site on Wednesday evening and held another informal meeting yesterday afternoon to prepare its report to the Minister. The situation of the council was somewhat difficult, as its term is expiring and only two members have so far been confirmed by the nominating bodies. The chairman of the council (Mr W. J. Cartwright) said the council would naturally give the closest consideration to any such request by the Minister. He would concede that the North Brighton site of 20 to 25 acres was “good and level”; but, personally, he believed that it suffered the same handicap as the Rawhiti site in not being central to the area to be served. Indeed, North Brighton was even more remote from the centre, round Aranui, from which pupils could be expected to come from all directions. Although the council is not likely to divulge its report until it is received by the Minister, Mr Cartwright’s statement is taken to mean that the council still sees no reason to change from its unanimous recommendation of the Aranui site, which was supported by officers of the Education Department.