A CURIOUS DEADLOCK.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1363, 14 February 1912, Page 4

A CURIOUS DEADLOCK.

EDUCATION BOARD PREVENTED PROM PAYING RUNT.

At last evening's meeting of the Wellington Provincial Industrial Association, reference was made to the deadlock which had occurred in respect to the building in Victoria Street, which had been erected out of funds provided by the association (supplemented by a Government subsidy), and which had been handed over tn the. Eilucntion Board, subject to certain stipulations. These included tho light of the association to occupy certain rooms in the building, which they had had for some years, but subsequently let to the board for a small rental. This rental had been paid for somo time, but payment had been objected to by the AuditorGeneral, since when no rent had been received.

The chairman (Mr. L. K. Partridge), in reporting to last evening's meeting, said he had seen several members of the board, and they were all at one. with the association. , Mr. Field, ex-M.P., and a membor of the board, had promised to do all in his power when Parliament met, and they had made arrangements for a deputation to wait upon Mr. I'owlds, then Minister for Education. Mr. Fowlds could not see them during the session. Then came tho elections, and many nf the members did not come back, and they did not know where they were. Ho believed there was an Acting-Minister for Education, but personally ho did not see that anything could he done until Parliament sat again, and they know whom to approach—(hen they could explain tho whole matter to tho new Minister.

Mr. Allen (secretary) interpolated (hat tho three-years' lease of tho association's present quarters lapsed on March 28 next, and he had advised the landlord, in view of the fact that they wero getting no rent for tho Victoria Street premises, that they could no afford to reiu-w. The only thing he could suggest was to enter in possession of the rooms (in the Victoria Street building) again, or take legal proceedings. The chairman said that the members of the Education Board and Technical Board were prepared (o pay (he rent, but for tho instruction of (he AuditorGeneral. Ho was prepared to go through with it. even if they hod io go to law, but he did not want to go (o law.

A member: "Will the board go out?" The Chairman: "They won't go out—.it least they- want six months' notice of intention to re-enter."

Finally it was decided that little could bo done until Parliament met.