SCOTS COLLEGE

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 120, 16 November 1929, Page 11

SCOTS COLLEGE

PARENTS'. PROTEST

AGAINST SALE TO STATE

"The news, of the sale of Scots College came like a bolt from the blue," remarked a parent to a " Post" sentative to-day. "What wo caunot understand ,is why ,the negotiations were kept secret and why parents, old boys, and well-wishers were never given a chance to say what they would do. To my own knowledge, there are several ready to guarantee three and four figure sums. Eeasons for selling are not apparent. The college would have been bound to grow, and it was filling a great want.. Yet it is sold for a paltry £38,000, when in the, near future the site and buildings would be worth from £50,000 to £60,000. Why! the urgency?- -What is behind it all? j Are church schools wanted, or are they not?" . , Other parents havo expressed the opinion that any monetary difficulties could have been got over had parents, old boys, and others been consulted. Strong exception is taken to the secrecy about the negotiations, arid to the fact that the boys were informed of the sale on Wednesday uiorning before the parents know anything at all. Incidentally, it quite upset some of the boys, and they lose all interest in the sports that afternoon. It is also stated that the Moderator of the Assembly was not present when the decision to sell was mado, and it is maintained that such a decision", being a matter of policy, should not have been made in his absence. One parent wants to know why he should be forced to take a month's notice when the" college regulations require him to give a term's notice before withdrawing his boy. Tho parents and old boys do not, intend to allow the matter to rest where it isi On Wednesday evening, in St. John's Schoolroom, an'" indignation meeting is td be.held, and to the meeting certain inside information is to be given. It is hoped'that by making a strong and United protest it may be possible to have the situation reviewed. The least that can be done, it is thought, is to grant a month's respite so as to give those interested time to see what can be done to save the college for tlije church and for the country. :".:,. '"; '■;;",;- -■ :- ■