THE GAOL SITE.

Colonist, Volume XLVIII, Issue 11668, 2 July 1906, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE GAOL SITE.

NEW GIRLS' SCHOOL TO BE ERECTED. On Tuesday, June 26, a deputation* consisting of Rer. J. IJ.1 J . Kempthorne and Mr T. Condell, members of the Town Schools Committee, waited upon tbe Education Board in reference to the matter of proposed new school for girls, and the question of separate schools. The Rev. J. P. Kemptborne said the Committee felt strongly upon the subject of separate schools tot boys and girls, and that there was « feeling among parents gouerally, oapacially mothers, that separate schools should be retained. Tho system had worked well io the past, and be contended that the cause of education had not suffered by separate schools, and that the children were as well educated under the separate system as in any other part of the Colony. He urged the Board not to alter the present system, and mentioned that Mr Hogben bad stated that if the people of Nelson desired that th» system should be maintained the Government would.not offer any object'on. Referring- to the proposed new school for girls, Mr Kemptborne said tl'ie .exchange of sites had been effected, and the Government had agreed to the si to in- Shelbourne street for the proposed school for girls, and he trusted the Board would go forward with the matter. The site had been cleared, and tenders invited for the removal of the Toi Toi Valley School, but he submitted it was far more desirable to erect a new building, and he urged the Board to build a new school on the central site. Such a school would be mucb appreciated by the children, it would improve their system of education, and would be condujive to tbe health of the children, aud increase the attendance H© concluded by again urging the Board to carry out this necessary work. Mr Condell said that although he was not- personally opposed to mixed schools, he had made enquiries among parents and found there wan general opposition to an alteration of the present system r He urged the Board to have the new school built before next winter. He had inspected the Gaol site, and found that it was accessible from four sides, and that there was ample room for a playground. Tbe deputation then withdrew, and at a later stage Mr Maginnity moved bis notice of motion, which, by consent, was amended to tho following: —"That the Board undertakes, at a co&t not to exceed £1500, the erection of a building for a girls- school on tbe site known as the Gaol site. That application be made to the Government for a grant towards thecost for such erection of pound for pound." In speakingfto the motion, Mr Maginnity said be was only doing ijustice to the town in advocating this expenditure. No single school in the district would suffer to tbe extent of one brass farthing. No doubt a brick school would Have tlie, Board hundreds of pounds, but if this was not attainable they must have somo building. If uecessar?, | the building could be financed out. of tbe Board's own funds. Mr Lock, in seconding the motion, said he did not think any member of { tbe Board could object to the town having a school at tho present time. Ratber than tbey should have nothing at all, be would like to see a good wooden building-. { I Mr Atmore supported the motion. lif Westport. with a population of 13000, could get half cost of a brick (school, then Nelson, with a populaj tion of 8000, should get the same consideration. If it had meant} starving (be country schools he) would have opposed tbe motion. j Mr Franklyn, contended that the Board could not finance tbe erection of a new school without giving its! whole revenue. He beliered the! country people would rebel against I tbe expenditure of sucb an amount) for a school in Nelson. lie admitted ' that a brick building ou the Gaol i site would be very nice, and sugges- ' j tpd that the matter stand over until after tbe election. Jf the new Board approved of it, and if bo was elected he would appfovft of it. He moved, as an amendment, that the matter stand over until tbe August meeting. Mr BeuUe seconded tho amena- i ment. ! Mr Baigent supported the motion, and said a wooden building would last two generations, and by that time they would probably want something different in style. Mr Talbot did not altogether like j the idea of spending £1500 at once. I He thought some arrangement could j be entered into whereby tho cost; could be spread over a period. If.! however, the Government would subsidise them pound for pound for j a brick school he would favor the 1 spending oE £1500. i , Mr Baillie supported tbe Chair-, ( rann'e views. 1 Mr Pbillips also supported thoj! motion. i Mr Maginnity, by consent-, then added tne following to his motion: j That not more than £500 be paid an- i nually out of the Board's fnnds. and. j having replied, tbe amendment was put and lost. Ayea: Fran klyn and Beuke. Noea: Baillie, Lock, Maginnity, Baigent, Phillips, Atmore, and tbe Chairman. The motion was theD put and carried. I '■■ ■■ '■■'■■■• ■■• |