SCHOOL FOR OPOHO

Evening Star, Issue 19273, 11 June 1926, Page 5

SCHOOL FOR OPOHO

DEPUTATION OF RESIDENTS MINISTER PROMISES CONSIDERATION Mr H. L. Tapley. M.P., introduced a deputation of Opoho residents to the Minister of Education (Hon, 11. A. Wright) this morning. The deputation consisted of Mrs Ilislop, Mrs Elliott, Messrs H. P, Harvey, Winning, and Robb, and they urged the claims of Opoho in regard to the establishment or a school. Mr Tapley first congratulated the Minister on his appointment. He then went on to say that fifteen years ago a proposition had been put forward for the erection of a school at Opoho, the Education Department expressing its willingness to build one, provided the Education Board paid half the cost of the site. The board had not been able to see its way to do this, and the proposal lapsed. The question of a school at Opoho had been revived within the past two years, the necessity being now much greater than it was. Some 3W children, most of whom were now attending the North-east Valley School, would benefit by the establishment or the school. Mr Tapley mentioned that the City Corporation had laid down a tramway to Opoho, and this would tend to furtner increase the population of the district. It was understood that the North-east Valley School Committee would offer no objection to the establishment of a school at Opoho. Mr Harvey said that he and Messrs Robb and Winning had been appointed at a meeting of residents of the district to endeavor to obtain a grant for a school. As a result of their efforts the. Education Board had selected a site and made a recommendation to the partment, but the department had turned down tho matter. Other suburbs, said Mr Harvey, had their schools, and there should not bo any distinction made between those suburbs and Opoho. Mr Winning, Mr Robh, and Mis Hislop also spoke in support of tho application, , , The Minister, before replying, thanked Air Tapley for hie congratulations. and mentioned that ho was mor# than ordinarily interested in Dunedin, this city being his birthplace. Mr Wright then went on to say that li« found by reference to his files that the representations submitted by tho deputation were substantially correct. It was true that fifteen years ago an offer had been made by the Government of a grant for a new school site, a condition being that the Education Board should provide half the cost. But tho board could not see its way to do this, and the offer lapsed. A note would be taken of tho statements made liv tho various speakers, added Mr Wright, and he would carefully consider the matter and view the position from all angles. He mentioned that Opoho residents were not alone m their difficulties. He had met the same difficulties wtierever he went. New suburbs were being laid out, and increasing population meant demands for new schools everywhere.