Education Board For Palmerston North ?

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 63, 16 March 1938, Page 4

Education Board For Palmerston North ?

SCHOOL COMMITTEES ADVOCATE THIb According to the Manawatu-Oroua District School Committees’ Association which met in Palmerston North last evening, a separate Education Board, with Palmerston North as its centre, was desirable. When the chairman, Mr. E. W. Barnett (Haleombe), drew attention to the new Education Bill before the House by which it proposed to increase the number of boards but with no change in the Wanganui education district, the secretary, Mr. F. G. Murphy, voiced the opinion that a district of the size of the Manawatu should have a board of its own. He said he was not alone in that idea. The Manawatu had nothing in common with Wanganui. He moved: “That this committee writes to Dominion headquarters asking for a copy ot the new Bill and if no change in the Wanganui education district is contem plated, the Minister be asked for his reason for not making an alteration.” Mr. H. W. Cox (Hokowhitu) seconded the motion, stating that Palmerston North would be more central.

Mr. H. G. Mills (College Street): What other benefits would there be outside being more central? Mr. Murphy: That is the most im portant reason.

Mr. Mills: You will want more reasons than that.

Mr. Cox: There are five secondary schools within a radius of 20 miles of Palmerston North and only two in Wanganui. There are also a larger number of primary schools within 25 miles of Palmerston North than within the same radius of Wanganui. / Mr. Mills: The proposal then should be to shift tho headquarters of the Wanganui Board to Palmerston North. Mr. M. E. Knudsen (Whakarongo) said a Parliamentary report had recommended Palmerston North having a board of its own. The motion was carried.

Mr. Mills then gave notice of motion to move at the annual meeting of the association, that the offices of the Wanganui Board be shifted to Palmerston North and the district then be known as the Palmerston North Educational District.