Editorial.

Southern Cross, Volume 7, Issue 36, 2 December 1899, Page 3

Editorial.

SUGGESTED DESTRUCTION OF A VALUABLE ASSET.

At a recent meeting of the Charitable Aid Board the question of removing the whole of the inmates of the Horne, in Invercargill to the Board’s property at Lome, Wallacetown Junction, was discussed. It seemed to be generally accepted that such ,a course would prove advantageous to the Board, and tend to reduce the cost of maintenance. Thao a life at the Lome Farm, with its greater liberty and usefuloccupations for the inmates of the Home, would be beneficial is the generally acknowledged belief of almost all those who have given the subject consideration, and such a course would, we believe, be a wise procedure on the part of the Board. This, however, is not what we intend to discuss in this article. At the same meeting.a proposal which should meet with the condemnation of every citizen was hinted at, and that was the demolition of the present building in Bowmont street. Such an act of vandalism should not be tolerated. The fact that the Board has discovered that an out-door, country life is preferable for the aged inmates of the Home under its charge is no warrant for committing an act which would be an utter waste of the taxpayers’ funds. That the Building known as the Old Men’s Home is not a suitable one for many purposes, and that there are not many buyers fur such a property if thrown on the open market, may be quite true, but it surely is worth more than the value of old bricks and iron, which is all it would be if pulled down. The building is a modern one, is commodious, and stands in a good area of ground, it is pleasantly and centrally situated, and s could be converted into an admirable building for a High School. If it is seriously determined that the inmates are to be removed to the Lome Farm we would strongly recommend that the Education Board or the High School Board shohld approach the Charitable Aid Board with a view to purchasing the property, and thus preserving it to the town. If no other method than pulling it down appeals to the Board, then they could afford to sell it to one of the educational bodies at a fraction of its cost and still come out financially a long way ahead. The present High School is inadequate in many respects to what is expected of such an institution. It is small, and cramped for room. With the building in Bowmont street at command the whole of the country students could be provided with a home on the scene of their studies, and with great advantage to the pupils -and added popularity to the school itself. With the growing tendency for technical instruction the present High School could be profitably utilised as a technical school and possibly a museum. Our town is sadly lacking in civic enterprise, and we appear all too backward in claiming any share of . what other citizens appear to consider a legitimate right. What are the necessary steps to secure to the citizens that buildings which have been erected with the taxpayers’ money shall not be wantonly destroyed, and shall be secured to them, we do not at this time profess to discuss, but we hope that our representatives on public bodies interested will bestir themselves to take steps to see that what is undoubtedly a desirable property is preserved intact to the town. It appears to be a case where assistance might reasonably be asked from the Government, and is one well worthy the attention of aspirants for political honours.