ENTERTAINING DUKE OF GLOUCESTER

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21419, 11 March 1935, Page 12

ENTERTAINING DUKE OF GLOUCESTER

DISPUTE AT GERALDINE lIK.'H SCHOOL COMMITTEE AND COUNCIL AT VARIANCE Crilicism of members of the Geraldinc District High School' Committee by members of the Gcz'aldinc Borough Council, when arrangements were being made for the reception of the Duke of Gloucester, was replied to in a letter from the committee to Ihc borough council. At the recent meeting of the school committee a Idler from the borough council was received putting forward its view of the mat tor. "We note that strong exception has been taken lo remarks made at council meetings rclleding on the attitude of members of your committee towards arrangements upon the occasion of the visit of the Duke of Gloucester. Councillors were certainly disappointed at the lack of support from your committee on such a memorable occasion, and several voiced their opinions in no uncertain manner. In making its arrangements for the reception of the Duke, the council realised the difficulty of controlling largo numbers of children from nil parts of the Geraldine and Temuka districts without the assistance of the school teachers, all of whom were away from here on holidays. However, it was decided to ask the cooperation of your committee in dealing with the children, as failing actual participation, it was thought some useful suggestions might be made by members. "His Worship, the Mayor, Mr B. R. Macdonald, who was deputed by the council to place the matter before the committee, in reporting the result of the interview to the council, stated that owing to the absence of the teachers, your committee would not accept the responsibility of looking after the children, but were prepared to assist in any other way. "We were not informed and are still unaware of the various suggestions you state were made by your committee and ignored by the council. Now the event is over, we regret that any but pleasurable memories of it should prevail, and suggest that any remarks tending to ruffle the feelings or disturb the equanimity of the members of your committee be forgotten. We shall be grateful for a contribution for the flags presented to the children which cost more than £B. Thanking you for the patient hearing accorded the Mayor, and trusting nothing further will occur to disturb the amicable relations which have always existed between members of your committee and the council," the letter concludes. Aftei the letter had been read, discussion on it was taken in committee On resuming in open meeting, it was decided to thank the council for the explanation and make a grant of £1 Is towards the cost of the flags.