PLANS DO NOT PROVIDE FOR A COMPLETE GIRLS' COLLEGE

Wanganui Chronicle, 4 November 1949, Page 4

PLANS DO NOT PROVIDE FOR A COMPLETE GIRLS' COLLEGE

Parents Express Disappointment And Would Like Tenders Called

“We feel sorry that having seen the progress made at the new college building, the present plans do not provide for a complete college,” said Mr. W. J. Freethy, president of the Parents’ Association, at a deputation to the meeting of the Board of Governors of the Wanganui Girls’ College yesterday.

Mr. Freethy was accompanied by Mr. W. J. Brown, secretary, and Mr. A. K. G. Jackson, a member of the executive of the association.

Mr Freethy said that the deputation was not present with any sense cf hostility or criticism of the board’s action. The association offered their assistance to the board in any way required and would be prepared to form a deputation to the Prime Minister, Minister of Education or the Department of Education to expedite the completion of the new building. “We as parents are very concerned about the school,” he said.

The present plans provide for only one-third of the complete building, he said. With the shortage of supplies and materials, and if the past was any criterion, Mr Freethy thought that the college would be divided as in the past. The building under construction is the science block, and it was felt that with part of the school in Wanganui East and another part at the present site of the college, much difficulty would be experienced in administration. “Should the school be divided, then the difficulties of administration will be so much worse,” said Mr Freethy. He realised that it had taken at least three years from the time of letting the contract to beginning the present building, and he thought it would be another two years before the science block would be availaole. “Unless plans for ihe complete building are put in the contractor’s hands straight away, it will take five years for the building to be functioning in its intended condition,” he said.

“We feel, as the parents’ body, that we would have some weight with the Government in expediting 4 he work. I suggest that the Prime Minister and the department are not aware of the time needed to prepare the plans and the necessary working drawings. We offer you our help, without any reflection on the board and its management. We concede that the time is urgent. We fail to see how the three contracts were not let in one. The money could be provided as the building progresses,” he said. Mr Brown stressed the urgency for the preparation of plans for the complete buildings. This was a vital factor for the work to commence, he said.

“If the contract had been let as a whole, the school would not be in the muddle it will be in if this is not carried out,” said Mr Jackson. Miss Baker (principal) would find difficulty in carrying out her work, he said. There would be two schools and it would be asking the principal to do a great deal of work with only one part of the new school and the old school to look after.

The deputy-chairman of the Board of Governors, Mr J. C. Batt, explained that 18 months had ciapsed since the acceptance of the. tender and the starting of the work. The cement and steel position was difficult, but when a little vyas available the board decided it was time to begin construction of one block. It would have been no good if the board had said .t was not going to start unless material for all the buildings could be obtained, added Mr Batt. The plans provided for a full college, but it had taken some time to get something done. “One-third of the new building is under construction and the working plans are almost completed for the full building,” he said. “Our architect, Mr R. Savage, died recently. Had he not passed away we would have been under way on all the blocks. The board is doing all it can to get plans under way, but they take some preparation,” Mr Batt said.

Mr Batt said that the Minister of Education assured him that he is keen to get the new college completed. Difficulty had been experienced in obtaining an architect, to replace Mr Savage, but Mr R. A. Patterson, Government architect, had been appoint-

ed to supervise the block under construction. ( “The board is hopeful that the plans will be completed within a short ; time,” he continued. A resolution had been sent to tne Minister and the department to appoint an architect for the completion of the plans. Mr Jackson: We are concerned about the muddle, and fully alive to It, of having a college over the river and somewhere else. We want the i whole college completed about the same time. Mr G. N. Boulton, secretary of the board, said that much ot the trouble 'had been caused by the death of Mri Savage. Difficulty had also been perienced in obtaining steel, and that was why the Prim * Minister had said | that only a third of tne building could be started. Mr Savage had also been concerned with the problem of steel, ‘as it took considerable time for supplies from Australia and overseas to J reach New Zealand. Before the actual work was commenced by con- | tract Mr Savage passed away and other architects have found it difficult to pick up the threads of the plan. The department had found that legal ' problems had arisen ip the transfer ot I plans to other archtitects. It was pointed out that if the Government carried out its promises, all I the buildings would be commenced I within two months. I Mr Freethy: There appears no reason why tenders for the other blocks j should not be called immediately. I Mr Freethy suggested that the Government might be persuaaed by action i from his association. I “We should not doubt the Prime i Minister’s word,’’ said Mr Batt. “Two | years ago a deputation from the board ■received an assurance that a new college would be constructed, and it was from there we made progress. In Wanganui the Prime Minister promised ‘the whole college and nothing but the college,’ ” Mr Batt added. He thought that there was no doubt that the money for the rest of the buildings will be available. “The working plans are almost completed, but not to the point where tenders can be called. Ws> are not leaving any stone unturned,” he said. Mr Jack§on: Has the Government made a complete grant? Mr Batt= The money will be available when tenders and material are available. The Prime Minister proI mised that there will be no hold up in I the money. Mr Jackson suggested that another (contractor might be engaged to relieve the headache cf the present contractor. Even though it was not Mr Batt’s opinion, he believed, under the present labour conditions, contractors were willing to work in with each other. Mr Jackson thought it would be an advantage to have another con- v tractor. Regarding the grant, Mr Freethy/ said that the education estimates for this year only provided the amount needed for the present contract. Mr Batt: That’s only an assumption. Mr Freethy: I don’t think so “The Minister had said that the money was only granted when work is begun. No mention of further [grants is made in the £13,000,000 estlI mated for education Possibly the money is not there.” said Mr Freethy. “I would be very much surprised if the money needed is not given for the Girls’ College,” said Mr Batt. Mr Boulton pointed out that nothing hard and fast had been set. down in the estimates and part of the money to be spent on education was included in the Ministry of Works estimates. “The board is doing all it can and we feel we have done something,” said Mr Batt. “Part of the building has [been started and we hope early next I year that the rest of t h». building will begin. You can assure your association that we have got the thing in | hand.”