A BATTLE OF SITES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 446, 11 December 1930, Page 6

A BATTLE OF SITES

MIDDLE ROAD’S PROBLEM “WHERE IS THE SCHOOL TO GO?’ Wanganui has had its “battle of the foundation stones” which has cn<led with one being well ami truly laid. Away up in the Waimarino electorate, at a place called Middle Road, there is just such another battle in progress but in this case it is a “battle of school sites.” Parents at Middle Road want a school. They are all determined on that, but the problem of the day is: “Where is it to be put?” The Wan ganui Education Board has debated this knotty point at meeting after meet ing and, so it would seem, with each successive meeting there arrives a fur ther offer of a new site. There are three sites in view at the moment which boar the brief titles of “Jack son’s, Gcrraghty’s and Frederick’s.” The Board is unanimous that Freder ick’s site is the best. In fact it has said so times without number, despite voluminous correspondence and the elo quencc of a deputation. Three inspec tors who have visited the locality have come back to the Board table with the same report. Each endorses the other that Mr Frederick’s section is the most suitable, though it must be admit led that all the sites now under offer were not available when Mr Blaikie. the present senior inspector, made the most recent report. At yesterday’s Board meeting, there was further correspondence from Middle Road settlors and also a communica tion from the Alinistcr of Education. The former expressed regret that the matter was to be rc-oepned- The other reminded the Board that it had to make certain further reports. At, the November meeting the Board, reaffirming its approval of Frederick’s site, had a telegram from the Minister stating that Mr F- Langstonc, Af.P., had made representations to him on the matter ami he (the Minister) desired full information.

The Board chairman (Mr W. A. Collins) said that he regretted that he had not visited the locality and made himself conversant with every aspect. “Arc you going back on your original decision?” he asked.

At this stage Mr M. H. Oram moved that the matter be left in the hand.* of the chairman and secretary with power to act.

“Has the Minister power to override the Board in a matter like this?’’ Air J. K. Hornblow wanted to know. ‘lt appears that hc has, and has done it already. Isn’t it a waste of time adhering to anything?” The secretary (Mr W. H- Swanger) said that a grant had been made and the site on which that was to bo expended was approved by the Department. “It looks as though the ugly head of polities is being allowed to creep in,” said Mr E. F. Hemingway. “We have been over all the evidence about this site,’’ said Mr J. S. Tingey. “Wc had Air Lambournc and Mr Crawford reporting on it. Then we had a deputation. Suddenly Air Langstone tells us there is a change, but he has never told us what that change is. I very much resent this interference from people outside.” ‘*l agree with Mr Tingey,” Mr Hornblow said. “1 object to any member of Parliament being allowed to come in here and interfere. This sort of thing places the Board in a most humiliating position— most humiliating.” It was at this stage that the feminine members of the off it j staff chose to enter and provide afternoon tea for the Board to mark the last meeting of the year. In the quiet which followed Mr Hornblow’s emphasised utterance of the word “humiliating” Mr J. Aitken’s voice rose. “Mr Hornblow. Pass the sugar.” The tension was relieved and when the Board resumed in more serious mood it decided to stand by Frederick’s site, the chairman pointing out that the action was taken on the advice of the Board’s experts and with all deference to the Minister.