THE SCHOOL ACRT.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXIV, Issue 17697, 24 October 1919, Page 3

THE SCHOOL ACRT.

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —Re Mr Mack-ay's reply to Messrs Bruce and Pirani, in which he states that they have not stated their case fully in all its bearings, 1 beg to state that Mr Mackay's reply is simply an attempt to cover up the short-sighted policy he endeavoured to carry through. Constitutionally all land belongs to the Crown, and all wealth. It is orly on equity principles that the Crown pay compensation for any land or wealth they take. As regards roads, so jealously does the Crown reserve its rights, that no deviation, closing, or making of one cai be carried out until authority has been obtained. As regards the Queen's Park reserve, the Crown, being the owner, can reserve a portion for a specific purpose if it in its judgment thinks it is for the benefit of the inhabitants. The Borough Council are only administrators at the good will of the Crown, and may be deposed if the inhabitants appealed for it. Mr Pirani's statement that the Sarjeant Art G-allery is only there on the goodwill of the Crown is the logical outcome of the Crown's sovereignty. My children were at the school years ago, and the school had occupation of the acre then for a recreation ground. The inhabitants of the Borough have never objected to the use, as all parents are only too willing to aid children in their well being. The responsibility for all this bickering and blundering lies on the shoulders of the Mayor and. his followers in the Council- If the original site for the Gallery had been stuck to, the school could have had the use of their playground, and the Gallery improved by being nearer the brow of the hill, which should have saved pounds and pounds in less steps. The editor of your contemporary was one of the site committee, if I remember rightly; but when the alteration of the site was silently being worked he was cold shouldered out of the way, presumably because he might not agree to the scheme. If the Council gets the power to pull down the school fence and control the acre, it will be of no advantage, as the scholars can use all the reserve, a position that would require a permanent caretaker, and at the same time cause resentment by the scholars at the taking of their playgrounds. If the Government still intend to take over the acre, then the Mayor is on a losing wicket. Many voters regret that Mr Veitch was placed in the position to express the Council's wishes, but by this time he knows that strong opposition is expressed against the Council. Not much, weight can be-attached to the Mayor's opinion after the decision given Fire Board v. Council. The Council were assured they were on the best of wickets and they find themselves clean bowled. To read between the lines of the, judgment, the deed between the old Brigade and the Council was artistically framed, but unfortunately for the Council, it was too artistic for the Appeal Court. The Mayor uses all his power to take away a children's school ground, but he year by year, allows a very valuable plot of ground to be let at a peppercorn rent for the use of one athletic game—football—so that they can make a charge. All other athletic clubs flourish and progress without the Council's spoon feeding. The Mayor enlarges eloquently about the Queen's reserve being for all children, and at* the same time he allows a club to use Borough lands that would bring in hundreds of pounds in rent. Are we so well off that the Council can give away valuable assets? In business circles the opinion is the Council is about the end of its tether in raising the wind. The Sarjeant Art Gallery is going to cause future mayors and councillors anxious hours. It is an undertaking that will be a very heavy burden on the ratepayers, and in the opinion of many the funds should have been 'funded until the position got more settled. All classes have given freely of late years, and the Government are demanding heavy taxation, so that for some years rates will receive the householders' serious attention and luxuries won't receive much support. Will ratepayers appreciate the position, so that a few names were engraved on a stone, which otherwise would have passed away.—l am, etc.,

T. WINTON

Bell Street