WHICH SITE?

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13765, 2 June 1908, Page 6

WHICH SITE?

-~-•; r: —' «a» — -J : ■ I " '''•■ " : .' - '"' -1 ■ ' : : :| THE EDENDALE SCHOOL. I "■'■ ,: v ■-' ■;■ ,: " ; '' "■■ '• " '"-"■.' - ■'■.■' i ,:■.■■■;■;■■■;■■ ■ ■ r — ■ ; ,■ ■ ■ -. DEPUTATION TO MR. FOWLDS. j A■- deputation waited on the Hon. G. ■ Fowlds, Minister for Education, ester- j day, in reference to the Edendale. school j question. The deputation consisted of i the Rev. A. Miller,, chairman of the provisional school committee, Mr. C. W. Harris, and Mr. W. Powell. The Rev. A Miller expressed satisfaction with the site chosen, as it- was a mile distant from the two established schools, and a school there would largely relieve . Mount Eden school. The Mount Albeit school was overcrowded* There was a movement of population in the direction of the site chosen, and two estates in the neighbourhood had been cut up for building lots. It was believed that a school there to accommodate 250 scholars would be full from the first. The deputation asked that, as there was some feeling in the matter, the site chosen and two other suggested ones should be examined by the health officer. Mr. Fowlds said the request was reasonable, and he would have the sites reported upon by the Health Department. Representations have also been made to the Minister by those in opposition to the site chosen by the Board. Mr. Fowlds has given the same reply, viz., that the sites will be examined from a health point of view. LIVELY MEETING OF HOUSEHOLDERS. SOME PERSONALTIES. The householders of Edendale gathered in strong force last evening at St. Albans' schoolroom to discuss a motion protesting against the action of the Education Board in selecting a site, on which to erect a new schoolhouse, contrary to the wishes of the majority of the residents. Fully 100 residents were present, and it was clear from the outset that there was considerable opposition to the desire of the promoters of the meeting. Mr. W. Garrett was elected chairman. Mr. Stevenson explained that the Education Board had asked the committee set up by tho householders to give their opinion as to the most suitable of the three sites offered for the . purpose, viz., . Hedley's, Heather's, and Dick's. Although the committee had reported strongly against Dick's site, the Board had gone against their resolution, and deliberately purchased the Dick site. Mr. C. W. Harris spoke in favour of the Dick site. The Rev. H. B. Wingfiekl explained the voting at the last meeting in regard to the choice of a first and second site for reference to the Education Board. He was not in favour of the Dick site. The Rev. A. Miller said there might bo an impression that he was at the previous meeting in favour of the Dick site. (Voices: "So you were," and laughter.) At that time the Board had already expressed an opinion in favour of the Dick site and he wished the building of the school to be expedited. Had there not been a division of the committee the school might now be in course of erection. He went on to detail various other transactions with the Board, and said that they were practically in favour of Cook'*, site, which was central, but the Board's architect had said this site Was impracticable by reason of the extra cost of building a school there. Heather's site was most in favour with the committee, with Hedley's next. He understood that the Board considered the area ; of Heather's site too small and Hedley's site too rough. 1 Mr. Geo. Hatcher proposed, " That this meeting of householders of the Edendale. and Mount Eden districts protests against the action of the Board of Education in deciding to purchase a site on Mr. Dick's proj perty, Kingsland Road, against the expressed opinion of the majority of residents and against jit he wishes of the Mount Eden School Committee, whoso school, being overcrowded, is in urgent need of relief." The motion was seconded- by Mr. T. W. Bailey. Mr. Miller said that it was too late in the day to protest, for the site was not only selected but had been paid for. (Applause.) Hero a resident rose excitedly and made I some remarks about Mr. Miller's conduct being deplorable. Mr. Miller, appealing to the chairman : "Do you allow such language to be used, si? 2" - v The Chairman: You have brought it on yourself. Mr. Miller, resuming, said that the grant had been given for an Edendale school, not for a, Mount Eden No. 2 school. "I consider the meeting should -vote against the motion," he said, " and to those that don't (its snapped his i fingers). j Mr. T. L. Stevens said the Board of j Education had gone out of their way | to choose a site right away from EdenI dale. He considered the school should ] be built where the children were living. He declared that Mr. Miller had strenuously advocated the Dick site from the outset. He could not understand Mr. Miller's motives. A Voice: What are yonr's? The Speaker: I am speaking for the public good. Mr. 0. Stevenson said there were many residents who wanted to kuow '"how much a certain member of the Education Board had made out of this deal?" This meeting was a protest against the action of the Education Board, and therefore they need not go into personalities. The action of the Board was mean and contemptible towards the Minister for Education, who had procured a grant of £2300 for the', Patterson site. The favouritism and greed of the Board influenced them against the public wish. Mr. Win. Cole said he had been connected with Mount Eden School Committee since its formation, 30 . years ago. Ten years ago it was considered inevij table that another school would be i wanted, and they had (hen advocated the j purchase of Patterson's site. Mr. Lag!e spoke in favour of the motion, and mentioned (he congestion of the Mount Eden school, for the past four or five years. Mount Eden wished for another school. A Voice: Mount Eden was never offered half the commission. Mr. Miller (heatedly): Why should T be subjected to the miserable insinuation of men like these that I am getting some commission? Mr. King : Yon were never referred to in regard to commission. The Chairman : Gentlemen, please control yourselves. 1 must ask you not to indulge in personalities. Mr. Stevens: Is it fair for the Board of Education to force children to go to a school right against a, place that was infested with consumption? Mr. Harris: That question is not fair. The health officer will have to report on that matter. / Mr. Avery : Dr. Purdy is going to make a. report. The motion was "then put. to the meetin"' and was carried on a show, of hands by" 28 votes to 22.