HIGH SCHOOL BOARD MEETING

Southland Times, Issue 23499, 4 May 1938, Page 15

HIGH SCHOOL BOARD MEETING

At the monthly meeting of the Gore High School Board of Governors Mr E. C. Smith presided over the following members: Messrs Hugh Smith, S. Rice, Henry Smith, A. T. Newman, H. C. Mac Gibbon and the rector (Mr E. H. W. Rowntree). The Director of Education (Mr N. T. Lambourne) wrote stating that the question of providing woodwork and metalwork shops and a new school would be receiving further consideration by the department at an early date, and that the board would be advised as soon as a decision was reached. The chairman remarked that apparently the department was concentrating more on the erection of primary schools and improvements to such schools. This was shown by the amount to be spent in the Southland district by the Education Board during the coming year. A suggestion by the rector of running a bus to the hostel dining the dinner hour for the conveyance of pupils was discussed, and it was decided to give the suggestion a trial during the winter months.

A deputation from the Mataura Presbytery, consisting of the Rev. F, B. Barton, the Rev. M. G. Milmine and Mr Adam Speden, waited on the meeting with a request that the board reconsider its decision refusing the use of the school for the 1938-39 summer camp and conference of the Presbyterian Youth Movement

Mr Barton stated that although the deputation was from the Presbytery it represented the Presbyterian Youth Movement of New Zealand, which was representative of 15,000 young men and women in the Dominion, and which had at its head Dr J. D. Salmond, a former dux of the Gore High School. The board’s action in closing the school to irresponsible bodies was fully understood, but through this other organizations were penalized. The movement which he represented was 35 years old and in its whole existence it had not once been refused the use of any school or public building. If the board could not see its way clear to allow the building to be used, the conference would have to be held in another centre. In conclusion, Mr Barton said that a large guarantee fund was held by the movement, and should any damage result, it would be made good. The chairman said that the board, had had sufficient reason for its decision

not to allow the school building to be used, but he thought the remarks of Mr Barton would place the matter in a different light. He added that a notice of motion would be required before the decision could be rescinded. Before the deputation retired, Mr Barton expressed thanks to the board for its hearing. Later Mr Hugh Smith gave notice of motion to rescind the board’s previous decision.