Central University.

Colonist, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8364, 27 September 1895, Page 3

Central University.

Wellington, September 26. L deputation waited on the Piemier last evening and presented a petition, signed by 654 residents, asking that Mount Cook Gaol and Bi;e be transferred to the Middle District of New Zealand University College Council. The deputation urged that the gaol should be removed on sooial, educational, and economical grounds, and stated that they believed 'that if their prayer were granted they oould get from private subscriptions and rents sufficient money to alttr the building to make it Buitable, while for etme years they oould secure teaohers for pupils' (ees only. Several speakers suggested the shifting of the Museum there, selling the present site to recoup the Government for some of tbe loss they would sustain by giving up the Gaol on which money had been spent. The Premier, in replying, said that Ministers would carefully consider the petition, bat he pointed out that several previous Ministers had endorsed the expenditure there, making it difficult for the present Government to undo what bad been done. He pointed out that the Crown waß badly off for land for pubho purposes in Wellington, and if he gave up this Bite it might save the use of some taxpayers' money to purohase a building site. With respect to education, he said be was more in favor of technical than higher education.