UNIVERSITY SITE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15548, 4 March 1914, Page 11

UNIVERSITY SITE.

THE PARNELL PROPOSAL.

GOVERNMENT'S DELAY.

VERY STRONGLY CONDEMNED.

VYbkn discussing the suggestion that an, excellent site for the new Auckland University College could be obtained by the acquisition of a portion of the Gillies Estate and a portion of Kilbrvde, Parnell, various members of the University Council emphasised the need for some definite decision in the matter. Members of the council who were interviewed bv a Herald representative yesterday pointed out that the matter had been under consideration tor a number of year* now, and that it was t.me some definite action was taken. Mr. G. L. Peacocke ' deputy .chairman of the Auckland University College Conn"l. considered that the latest Bite mentioned was certainly worthy of consideralion, pointing out at the same time thai the man, obstacle was that of accessibility. " the transit facilities were available there could be no doubt that the site from his knowledge of it. would do for the purpose excellently. At the same time he wished to remark that the council as a whole might not consider the site suitable. An Inexcusable Delay. " I would like to take this opportunity of expressing the opinion that the whole question of the selection of a site has own delayed to an extent that appears to bo quite unjustifiable," continued Mr. Peacocke. "The Government is in possession of all the information that can be placed before it, but nothing has been clone to settle the question. The council is being forced to the opinion that the (Government doos not want to give any decision upon the matter. Eight years ago the council was told that the question would be settled in the following year, but hero we are apparently just as far off a decision as ever. The time has arrived when a decision should bo given one wav or the other, without further delay, even if the site chosen is not absolutely perfect. * r "An Absolute Scandal." Dr. H. D. Bamford spoke in a similar strain about the delay. He remarked that the proposed Parnell site seemed as though it might be a good one, but he was not prepared to commit himself without coin? into the matter folly. " I think it abso! lutely disheartening/ 1 ' he added, " that wo can get no definite reply from tie Government about the site question. It's a matter that the Cabinet could have settled in a day had it wanted to, but instead it ha* been allowed to drag on and on. I cannot we the slightest reason why the Govern- ! ment should not make a definite pronounce- j ment on the matter, one way or the other. i Of one thing there is no doubt—the present state of affairs at the college is an absolute scandal. The Danger of Two Stools. u ? C n\ C ' I?' 1 McDowell was of opinion' .that Grafton Road site, recommended to the i/oyernment for consideration was better suited for the purposes of the' college than tne Parnell site. He remarked that there seemed some danger of the council falling between two stools over this question of ate, and added that to him it seemed a pity that any other sites should be mentioned before the Government had come to a decision upon the one already submitted to it.

He agreed that there had been considerable delay in the past, but added that he felt hopetul that something definite would be done in the near future.