"WE ARE THE FIRST TO SUFFER"

Evening Post, Volume CIII, Issue 125, 30 May 1922, Page 4

"WE ARE THE FIRST TO SUFFER"

COMPLAINTS OF GOVERNMENT DELAYS

A QUESTION OF PROGRESS

PAYMENTS,

" We are the first to-suffer" was the complaint of the chairman of the Wellington Technical College Board of Governors at a meeting of the board last evening, when drawing attention to .the delay of the Government in making progress payments in connection with the building of the new technical college building. There were present at the meeting: Mr. W. H. Bennett (chairman), Mrs. J. A. Hannah, Messrs. T. Ballinger, J. Barras, C. H. Chapman, T. Forsyth, C. A. Lawrence, L. R. Partridge, >"&■ Pascoe, J. Bead, J. 0. Shorfand, G. L. Stewart, and A. J. White.

The director reported in reference to the new buildings: " In accordance with the instructions of the board, all arrangements have been made for giving up the tenancy of the .flats in Cuba-street at the end of May." Two carpenters were brought from the now buildings and employed in taking down the cupboards in Cuba-street, room 6, and the electrical engineering laboratory, arid these arc being re-erected, together with desks and tables. The carpenters have been instructed to do minor repairs to the tops of the desks and to those where they are badly defaced, but the furniture generally is in such a bad state that it is extremely regrettable that we should have to set it up again in the new buildings. Much of it is so bad that it will be a constant eyesore. Just now wo are pressed with the completion of further rooms, so that more of the pupils can be transferred and given proper conditions of work, but I trust that the Department will make sufficient grants from time to time so that the furniture may be gradually renewed. The part of the new college that we propose to occupy will be far from ready when the school opens, but the alternative was to remain in Cuba-street throughout the winter term. This misery could not~be inflicted on staff and pupils for a day longer than was absolutely necessary, so that, in spite of the great inconvenience that will be caused for a week or two, I am sure all will agree that this should be incurred rather than delay the move."

„ The board wrote to the Prime Minister on 24th April impressing on the Government the nded for an extension of the site of the new college so as:to give a means of access to the,east side, from which thel niajority of the students would require to approach the college. The board also pointed out the urgency of proceeding so far with the central portion of the new buildings that the classrooms which it contained might be available for use. Owing to the increased number of students, additional accommodation was urgently needed. The board asked for authority to carry out such internal work as was absolutely necessary in order to make the rooms habitable; also for authority to carry out other necessary work. The estimated cost of the! work would be £13,000. The board asked for permission to invite tenders for the completion of northeast portion of the front by contract. The board regretted that it was not able £0 do the whole work by contract. The' architect's rough estimate of the cost to complete this north-east portion of the front was £8000. A reply was received from Mr. MaSsey. stating that the representations of the board would receive the early attention of the Government. ' /The Chairman pointed out that no definite reply had been received from the Government, although a considerable time had elapsed since the board sent forward its request. He might say that the board was getting very low in funds, and it would require some drastic representation to be- made to the Government so that tho board might receive funds which would enable it to carry on. He trusted that before many days finances would be on a better footing than they were at present. Subsequently, the .Cfiairman reported that the staff and a- number of the pupils took possession of five rooms in the new buildings. That meant that 140 pupils had been accommodated in the new classrooms.- <

Some strong comments were made by several members of the board in respect to the dilatoriness1-of the Government in providing funds for the new college, whilst there had already been large expenditure on similar buildings in Auckland and elsewhere.

The Chairman remarked that the board started the new college at a very awkward time, but they had to adopt the course they did in orcter to get any work done at all. The mere fact of having the work done by day labour, and the fact that there was no contract let for the building, meant that the Wellington Board was the first body to suffer. It nieant that there was no compulsion on the Government to provide money by a given date. In the .future tliey should see that all such works werfe carried out by contract.

Suggestions wore made by members that steps should be taken to formally open the new building. The Chairman pointed out that the ■building was not yet in. a condition for formal opening.

A motion to the effect that there should be an official opening as soon as it could bo arranged by the director was negatived; and it was agreed to leave the matter of tho official opening to the chairman and director to arrange as 30011 as the conditions were favourable.

Several members again complained (bitterly of the delay on tho part of the Government in connection with the now buildings; audit was agreed if no reply was received from the Government within a fortnight that a deputation wait on the authorities.