MINISTER WANTS USE OF OLD SCHOOL BUILDING FOR YOUTH CLUB

Wanganui Chronicle, 17 February 1949, Page 6

MINISTER WANTS USE OF OLD SCHOOL BUILDING FOR YOUTH CLUB

AUCKLAND, Last Night (PA).— Alarmed at the number of children who were endangering their lives by playing in busy back streets in the area, the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr. Parry) is seeking the use of an old building at Newton West School for a youth club. Permission for transfer of the building to the Government was sought by Mr. D. W. Rutledge, as board member, at a meeting of the Education Board. Decision was deferred.

Mr. Rutledge said the Minister had asked him if the old infant block at the school could be taken over as a club. The Government would transform the dilapidated building into a firstclass condition for the purpose. The Mayor (Mr. Allum) had promised that the council would repair the damage caused to the grounds during thenuse as a metal dump.

“There is much vandalism in the city,” commented Mr. Rutledge. “Our job is to look after the children until they leave school and Mr. Parry wants to look after them outside these hours by giving them some healthy occupation and activity.” “I quite agree that everything must be done” said the chariman, Mr. G. K. Hamilton. “Hoivever, the board has 80,000 children to look after and we must first make sure that we have sufficient office accommodation to do it properly. We will keep the matter in view.”