THE COLLEGE SITE

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 181, 27 April 1921, Page 6

THE COLLEGE SITE

ANOTHER DEPUTATION TO THE MINISTER

THE CASE FOR THE GIRLS

MR. PARR INDICATES HIS OPINION The controversy concerning the site of tho proposed new Girls’ High Schoo. was advanced another stage yesterday. A deputation representing the girls’, side of the case interviewed the Minister of Education and protested against interference with the plan for erecting the school on a part of the reserve at present occupied by line boys’ college. The Minister indicated in -his reply that he was not favourable to a change of plan.

The deputation, which was organised by tho Central Progress League, represented old girls of the Girls’ High School, parents of present pupils, and other interests. ■ It. was introduced by Mr. J. P. Luke, M.P., who handed the Minister a letter from Mr. M. Carr, president of tho Wellington Chamber of Commerce, supporting the views to bo expressed by the deputation. Mr. Luke eaid that ho himself was in entire sympathy with the protest that had been made against delaying the erection of the now school on the selected site. The site was a good one, and when the proposed excavation and filling had been completed, there would lie adequate space for the buildings and tho playgrounds. He had been surprised to learn that the matter was being reconsidered by the College Board of Governors. He was a member of that Body,' and he had not been aware that the question was being reopended.

Dr. Agnes Bennett eaidi that the women of tho city were deeply interested in the question. They could not tell the Minister much that he did not

know about. the .’conditions at the existing girls’ college, and tho suitability of tho site that had been selected for the urgently needed new school. She emphasised the importance of playing space lor the girls. It was a matter for regret that some people hail allowed sentiment to outrun patriotism in their opposition to the new site. She did not attach any weight to the suggestion that difficulties would arise from the proximity of the two schools. No Moral Danger. Dr. E. Platts-Mills supported the views of the deputation. She said that she believed the percentage of girls 'who would bo classed C 3 if they were medically examined was as large as the percentage of youths so classed during the war. It was unfortunately true that many of the girls who passed their school examinations Vfith high marks were physically unfit to' some extent, and she attached the utmost importance to the improvement of Hie conditions under which girls did their school work. Girls had a natural love of beauty, order, and peace. These gifts could not Ire cultivated in unsuiotable surroundings. The. existing conditions at the Girls’ College undoubtedly interfered with the full development of the pupils. She did not believe that any moral danger need be feared from the placing of the new Girls’ Collegia in the neighbourhood of tho Boys’ College. Each of the schools had a very high* moral tone, and experience had showed that under such conditions there was no moral danger. The suggestion ought to be dismissed at once as unworthy of the boys and girls and of the teachers of tho two schools. Mrs. J. P. Luke said that she would scorn to believe that there was any good reason why the boys and girls should not attend school in the same neighbourhood. The site that was occupied by the Boys’ College had been intended to servo both sexes, and there was no reason at all why the boys should have tho whole site. The ground that had been selected for the girls was not really being used by (he boys at all, and it was tho best site available for the new school under the conditions prevailing in Wellington. The observatory surely could be removed to a position nearer Wellington College without any serious difficulty. Mr. It. A. Wright, M.l’.. also supported the selected site. He realised that a difficulty had arisen and that nobody wished to do any injustice to the Boys’ College. But a place had to bo provided without delay for a new girls’ school, and the objections that had been urged against tho selected site were not very strong. Mr. G. Mitchell, M.P., said he had searched the register and found that the land had 'been reserved for the purposes of Wellington College and the Girls’ High School. The text of the reservation did not support a theory that the land was to be used for the boys alone. The college, as a matter of fact, did not require all the ground and if the site question was to be reopened now the erection of-the new girls’ school probably would be delayed for two or three years. Mr. Parr: Twenty-two years. Mr. Mitchell thought that the observatory was an unimportant factor. A very fine site could be created by an expenditure of £3<iffl) or £4OOO on excavation, and he doubted if as good a site would be purchased elsewhere for £20,000. Mr. T. Forsyth supported what other speakers had said. Tie thought that the Minister had already stripped most of the camouflage from the arguments of those opposed to the site; and that very little more required to be said. The suggestion of moral danger was ridiculous. The young people wore educated together in the primary schools, technical schools, and universities, and there was not the least reason for suggesting that the secondary schools should not even he on neighbouring sites. The site was the most suitable that could bo found and it had heen chosen after very prolonged search and investigation. The work had actually been commenced, and he felt somewhat humiliated as a member of the Board of Governors to find Hint the nuestion was now laeing reopened. .Mr. Forsyth mentioned that a tender of £7OO, subject to certain rebates, had been received for the removal of the observatory to new silo. He hoped the Minister would stand by the decision that had been reached. Views of the Minister.

The Minister of Education, in reply, said he regretted that there had been an attempt to reopen tho question of s ; te after tlhe whole question had seemed to be settled. The influential nature of the deputation was proof that the education of girls was not a matter of Kcotluliry importance in the community, and lie had been impressed by tho remarks of the doctors as to the importance of healthful conditions being provided for the girls. The health of the future mothers of the raco was even more important than tho health of the boys. It was for that reason that he as Minister of Education had cordially supported the Collego Board of Governors in making provision for the erection of a girls’ high school to supplement tho inadequate accommodation provided at the Thorndon school. Post-primary education was no longer the privilege of the few. More than half the pupils attending the primary schools received some form of secondary instruction, and he considered it absolutely essential that tho needs of tho girls in this respect should be met in the. City of Mfollington. He foresaw that within fifteen or twenty years the city would require two or three high schools in addition to the school that was now being planned. Ifo was very glad to learn that Ihe Mayor of M’ellington endorsed ffie selection of “e site. It had been suggested that tho new school should be placed at lifiram.ar. 110 did not think that would be a right arrangement. The erection of the fiohooi at ono of tho extremities of the

city would be a mistake. The building ought to bo placed near the centre, within comfortable reach of all the children who would attend it, and the proper site undoubtedly was in the neighbourhood that had boon selected. The authority entrusted with the selection of the site and the erection of the new school was tho Wellington College Board of Governors, and the deputation probably ought to have gone to that body instead of to the Minister. Mr. Forsyth' The board has selected the site. The Minister: It is now threatening to select another. The board may say that it wants another site. I presume that you will approach tho board and give it your views as you have given them bo me. I suggest that you should do so. It may be that the Government will sJiy to the board: "You have selected a site, and wo have adopted your views and made a grant, and we decline to find the money to put the building up on any other site.” I am not going to make a decision without consulting my colleagues. The Government may take up that position. (Hear, hear.) There aro always ways of doing things. Mr. Parr added that as Minister of Education ho was proud of such an institution as Wellington Boys’ College. It was one of ths best secondary schools in New Zealand, and if he thought for a moment that the Government was doing anything to hurt or prejudice that school he would drop the matter altogether. _ Mr. Luke: And wo would be with y °Mr. Parr said he was in full sympathy with ihe Old Boys’ Association in its desire to stand by the boys’ school, but he ibought that the objections that had been urged against the erection of the girls’ school on the site were ill-founded and that tho fears expressed were somewhat illusory. So far as tho playgrounds were concerned, he could not imagine that the rapacity of the Mtallington girls would toad them to take violent possession of playing spaces already occupied by many hundreds of boys, ihe Department would see that the h°y s were not prejudiced in the enjoyment of the playing grounds that had been made for their school, and that there would be no interference with their sports. The boys were not going to be injured in the slightest. There was ample room for both the schools. lie wished that ho had as much room in other parts of New Zealand for two fine schools, and he felt sure that the members of the Old Boys’ Association, when they considered the matter again, would come to tho conclusion that there was room for both the schools on the reserve. The observatory had been mentioned. He had looked into this matter, and he was prepared to say for the Department that it would consider the making of a moderate grant in order that the observatory and its equipment ! might be placed on a new site nearer the college. . . . The position, stiid the Minister, in conclusion, was that the onus of making a move would bo on tho Board of Governors, if that body wished a change to be made in the plans already approved by the Government. His own mind was clear, and he would consider it rather a calamity if there should be any further dissension on a matter which io vitally affected the interests of tho young of Wollipgto®. (Applause.)