NEW SCHOOLS FOR OLD

Evening Post, Issue 59, 10 March 1924, Page 6

NEW SCHOOLS FOR OLD

The deputation which asked the Minister of Education to commence rebuilding the Mount Cook schools did not obtain a definite promise; but it was assured that this building was first on the Wellington list, and that a grant to commence it was hoped for in April or May. This is not so definite as might be desired, but we are pleased to observe that the site difficulty does not now hinder building. This site has been most difficult ,to improve, and most expensive, and inevitably the negotiations for extending the area have been long and troublesome. Their successful conclusion is the best psoof of the Government sincerity, and it is to be hoped that the proof thus given will not be diminished by tiresome postponement of building operations. No one will dispute that the Mount Cook schools should be pulled down a-nd rebuilt. The need lias, been apparent for many ,vonrx, imd iluuhl-.leus the wark woyM bavj? b_eeji ina^takeii

long ago if money had been available. The trouble is that there has been no definite provision for replacement of old buildings at the proper time. This is not the fault of the present Ministry; but the present Ministry will be repeating the blunders of previous Governments if it does not now devise a plan which will place school rebuilding finance upon a more certain basis. It- is not right that rebuilding should be left to the chance provision of funds and affected by the importunity of deputations.