THE UNIVERSITY SITE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 147683, 31 August 1911, Page 6

THE UNIVERSITY SITE.

EDUCATION BOARD'S

ATTITUDE.

AGAINST METROPOLITAN GROUND

A resolution affirming that the Metropolitan Ground should be preserved as a public domain was passed by the Education Board yesterday. It was moved by the chairman (Mr. G. J. Garland), as fol-

lows —" That this Board views with

disapproval the proposal to take portion of the Metropolitan Ground for the purposes of a University site, feeling that, quite apart from the unsuitability of such a site, owing to its limited area and uncentral position, the Metropolitan Ground, and any adjacent property which may become available in the future, should be set apart as a recreation reserve for the people of Auckland; and is strongly of opinion that a site should be secured in some . more central locality, whore a sufficient area of ground may be obtained to provide for the vigorous and healthy growth and expansion of uinversity activity." Mr. Garland said he believed the Board wad unanimous, .so there was no need for any discussion. It was as well to let the public : feel that something was being done to back up the efforts being made to secure the ground for the people. He did not 'mind much where the college went, so long as it was outside the fringes of the city. Mr. Harris said he would support the motion with pleasure, The motion was carried, Mr. D. H. McKenzie dissenting, and asking that his dissent should be recorded.

. Immediately the decision was arrived at, Mr. E. A. Armstrong, secretary of the Citizens' League, telegraphed it, to the members of the Ministry and to the Auckland members of Parliament.

PUBLIC PETITIONS.

BOTH SIDES REPRESENTED.

Further batches of signatures to the petitions to the House of Representatives and the Legislative Council, praying that the Metropolitan Ground, as a public domain, be preserved intact, were forwarded by Mr. Armstrong to Mr. A. E. Glover, M.P., and the Hon. T. Thompson, M.L.C., by the Main Trunk express last night. A counter-petition to Parliament, promoted by the University students and citizens of Auckland, was put in circulation for signature yesterday. The petitioners pray that the Auckland University : College Site Bill may be passed, on the following grounds :That the present buildings ; are old, and inadequate for the requirements of the college; that the University authorities are convinced that no other site presents so many advantages, its close proximity to the various libraries being urged as a strong recommendation in its favour; that a large number of students are occupied during the day in town,. and .hardship would entail on them if a site far from the centre of the city is chosen. . The petition concludes by stat?~~ that if the Bill is passed the inconveniences and hardships to which the students in the past have been subjected will be put an end to. In consequence of the circulation of the above petition, the Citizens' League has decided to call in the petitions against the Metropolitan Ground, and by advertisement in this issue warns citizens that the petition now being presented for signature favours the encroachment of the University buildings on a public domain.

} THE MINISTER ADAMANT.

MORE PETITIONS OF PROTEST.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.

Wellington, Wednesday. . Further petitions protesting against; the use of the Metropolitan Grounds as a, site for new University College buildings at Auckland have arrived in Wellington. The Minister for Education, interviewed this evening, said there was no alternative site available for the new college. . The land at Mount Eden was required for the new Grammar School, and he indicated that he would not conscnt to any proposal to uso it for University purposes.