Concern At Delay On New College

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31143, 20 August 1966, Page 16

Concern At Delay On New College

“I an very concerned about the delay in getting approval for the architects to proceed with the preparation of final plans and specifications for the new Christchurch Teachers’ College to be built in Waimairi road,” said the chairman of the Canterbury Education Board (Mr A. S. Murray) in a prepared statement yesterday.

“In 1965 the Government decided that the three-year training scheme would be introduced in Christchurch with the 1967 intake of students, which means that at the beginning of 1969 the board must have accommodation for the extra number of students. This is apart from the increase expected in the secondary students during that time.

“In October last year the brief for the new secondary college was completed and handed over to the board for the guidance of the Auckland firm of architects who were authorised in December to proceed with the sketch plans. “During the months following many discussions have been held between the department and board representatives and the Auckland group of architects and on July 12 a full representative group of all concerned met in Wellington to discuss the suggested layout. Although agreement was reached at that meeting for the proposed layout, to date official approval has not yet been received to enable the architects to proceed further.

“It is becoming increasingly obvious that, although the Government has approved the three-year training scheme for Christchurch as from 1967, unless the greatest urgency is granted for the planning of the new building, accommodation will not be available for the increased number of students.

“In making this statement I would like to acknowledge the assistance of the Education Department in Christchurch in endeavouring to meet our obligations,” said Mr Murray. Mr R. K. Milne, chairman of the teachers’ college committee, said that for years the board had had difficulty in accommodating its quota of

.students and it seemed this would continue. Mr D. L. Waghorn said the Minister of Education had expressed concern about some shortages of teachers but the board would be unable to train those offering. He doubted whether the new college would be available until 1971. The board agreed that Mr Murray should see the Minister next week to seek urgency.