HOSTELS WANTED IN CITY

Southland Times, Issue 25748, 11 August 1945, Page 7

HOSTELS WANTED IN CITY

NEEDED FOR COUNTRY CHILDREN The need for hostels in Invercargill for country children wishing to attend secondary schools was emphasized by Mr C. McKenzie at a meeting of the Southland Provincial Executive of the Farmers’ Union .yesterday. “There should be hostels in the city. The schools are here, but at present we have to send our children to Timaru and other centres for their secondary education,” said Mr McKenzie. “We want our children to be able to get home at the weekends.” It was decided that the sub-committee dealing with this matter should do all it could to press for the establishment of hostels in Invercargill. In reporting on the steps taken for the establishment of an agricultural high school and hostels, Mr C. J. Speight said that during the Dominion Conference in Wellington a deputation had waited on the Minister of Education (Mr Mason). The Minister had given them a favourable reception, but he could not offer any immediate help. He had pointed out that the establishment of an agricultural high school would have to be held over because of building difficulties. “We asked if it would be possible to establish a refresher school, something of a temporary nature,” Mr Speight said. “The Minister was interested in that, but I do not know whether anything can be done about it. AGRICULTURAL HIGH SCHOOL He had discussed the establishment of an agricultural high school with the Hon.'Adam Hamilton, continued Mr Speight. Mr Hamilton had expressed the opinion that such a school would have to come through the efforts of local fanners. That was how Rangiora had started. , x Mr C. McKenzie; What about the hostels? , , Mr Speight: No finality was reached on that. The Minister is going to inquire into the position. We suggested that Army huts might be used, but the Minister pointed out that these would be only temporary and not very satisfactory. He was, however, going to inquire into the transport position. “There should be hostels in the city for the country children,” said Mr McKenzie. “Our children should be able to come into Invercargill and receive their secondary education. The schools are here, but as it is we have to send our children to Timaru and other Peaces for their secondary education. What we want are hostels in Invercargill so that our children can get home at the weekends.” , . ~ Mr T. A. Buckingham expressed the opinion that the question of the agricultural high school was holding back consideration of the hostels. It was going to be years before they got an aguculture school. If they separated the two questions they might get somewhere. Mr Stevenson said that they had gone as far as they could with the hostels. The department was out to improve the facilities and it was up to the commitee to see that that was done. The high schools were also alive to the position.