BOOK SALES OBJECTED TO

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30399, 25 March 1964, Page 1

BOOK SALES OBJECTED TO

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, March 24. Educational Aids and Services, Ltd., sought an injunction in the Supreme Court at Auckland today to prevent the Auckland Education Board carrying on an alleged trading business in school books.

The firm submilled that in selling books to school committees in its district from its bookroom, the board was acting in excess of its powers. After hearing legal argument, Mr Justice Gresson adjourned the hearing till tomorrow. Educational Aids and Services, Ltd. was represented by Mr R. K. Davidson, Q.C., with him Mr J. G. Cox. The board was represented by Mr E. T. Pleasants. Mr Davison said it seemed the board was making a profit from its operation of a bookroom supplying schools within its district with books. He said it had formerly supplied books to schools not under its control but it had now given an undertaking tc stop this practice. The board also operated a store for educational aids on the same basis as for books, said Mr Davison. Mr Pleasants submitted that the question whether or not the board was “trading” was a matter of fact for the Judge to determine.

Its surplus over its expenses in the operation of the bookroom was not a profit in the ordinary sense. It was a matter of internal administration, between the board and its own schools. School committees themselves were merely agents of the board in respect of funds given to them and there could be no trading if there was no transfer of ownership, he submitted. Mr Pleasants said the board made a small surcharge on books it supplied to cover handling charges and to prevent this particular activity from being a charge on the general funds of the board. In the past the bookroom had been a great convenience to the South Auckland Education Board, and to the Education Department—but these activities of the board had now been stopped. The hearing will continue tomorrow.

Fire at Sign of the Kiwi.— A fire in a small heap of logs behind the Sign of the Kiwi last evening was put out before it caused any damage. A passer-by gave the alarm at 7.6 p.m. and a fire engine from the Sydenham station turned out.