THE CIVIC SQUARE

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 55, Issue 3929, 21 July 1937, Page 6

THE CIVIC SQUARE

DEPUTATION TO BOROUGH COUNCIL. A deputation comprising Messrs G. B. Melrose, D. Clark and L. S. Armstrong, representing the Te Awamutu District High School Committee, waited on the Borough Council on Monday evening, to ask for the Council’s views regarding the Board of Education’s letter asking for an opinion as to the suitability of the education reserve opposite the infant school for use in the Government's State housing scheme. There were six sections there and the infant school would be disused after the intermediate school is established in the near future. Mr Melrose explained that the School Committee was reluctant to agree that the area—known to many as the Civic Square—should be used for residential purposes. Mr Armstrong, after mentioning that the sections are in the brick area expressed the opinion that the sections should be kept as an open space —preferably under the control of the Borough Council. The Mayor thanked the- School Committee, and said he had been seeking information as to the origin of the section, and how it came to be an education reserve. He believed that many years ago money was raised locally to secure the area as an education reserve for school purposes, if that was so, there was at least a moral claim that it should be used only for school purposes or placed in the charge of the Borough Council. The Mayor said the section was handed over to the charge of the Education . Department or Board about 40 years ago. He had no definite information on the point, but hoped some ot the older residents could throw light on the subject. An opinion was expressed that the Borough Council should continue inquiries, and if the opinion was substantiated the Committee would co operate. Cr North said he understood the property once belonged to Mr Lewis, who exchanged it for some education property in Brady Street; he did not know it there was any money paid, “to boot." Some minor points were discussed, and then Cr Gifford expressed the opinion that the sections were far too valuable for residences under the housing scheme. Cr Brown suggested that inquiry be made as to the history of the section, and this course was agreed to. Mr Melrose said the School Committee would advise the Board of Education of the Council’s intention to prosecute inquiries. Councillors were strongly of opinion that the property should be tetained as a recreation area, if at all possible.