Road Safety Drive In District Schools

Chronicle (Levin), 15 July 1949, Page 4

Road Safety Drive In District Schools

At least twice each^year Patrol Officer Silverwood, who is the school safety patrol for the Wellington Automobiie Association, visits all the schools in the Horowhenua district. This term he has shown a colpured film called "Safe Ways," made by the association and incorporating all the safety rules. There can he no doubt of the value to everybody, young and old, of a thorough understanding of these simple rules., Starting on July 4, the following schools have been visited: — Reikorangi, Waikanae, Te Horo, Otaki Primary, Otaki Convent, Manakau, Ohau, Muhunoa East, Levin Primary, Levin Convent, Koputaroa, Poroutawhao, Arapaepae, Shannon, Makerua-, Tokomaru, Opiki, Linton and Horowhenua College. » Safety Schemes. At Shannon and Ohau schools a safety warden system is in operation and at Otaki and Levin Primary Schools there are school patrols. It is customary to present each boy or girl who is selected, either as a safety warden or a school patrol, with a badge of office. These presentations are of considerable importance to the children and the community, being a reward for their Ikeenness in the past year and an incentive to carry on for 'another year. These children have a very responsible1 job which they carry out magnificehtly. The manager of the Regent Theatre, Mr. Badlands, very gener-. otisly permitted the use of the theatre and on Monday the Levin Ptimary School .assembled there under Mr. P. D. Chapman, acting headmaster. With a few well chosen words, Mr. Chapman introduced Patrol Officers Silverwood and Keenan. «.:• . Dr. S. J. Thompson, council mem-. ber of the Automobiie Association, Wellington, then presented badges to the following patrols, who had done good work in the past year, and who are in their second term qf office: — Senior patrol: R. Cameron. Second senior patrol: R. Lycette, R. Chapman, R, Barrie, M. Swan. New patrols: M. Barnes, I. Ireton, R. Porter D. Trass, R. Cowen, J. Lagor, P. Bull and A. Shanks. At this stage Mr. Silverwood in-

itroduced Mr. W. A. Sutherland, secretary of the Automobiie Association, Wellington, who, in a short but pointed address, emphasised the imporfance of the work of the patrols and asked for the co-opera-tion of the children. Mr. Silverwood then showed the film "Safe Ways," giving his commentary at the same time. It is a pity that this film was not seen by everybody in the town, as obedience to its story would reduce accidents to a minimum. Later in the week all the children'® cycles will be inspected and cycle. warrants issued -■ to those whoSeu cycles are in order, while a list )fdefects will be given to the'remainder. School Ceremonies. On Tuesday a similar ceremony was carried out at Shannon. Present were Mr. B. Clayton, Deputy Mayor, Mr. C. Cronquest, J.P., Mr. A. E. Jeffery, chairman of the school committee, and Mr. E. H. Barber, a member of the school committee. A.'so present was Mr. R. E. Downes, a former Mayor of Shannon. Messrs Clayton, Cronquest and Jeffery gave short talks to the children and Mr., Clayton presented badges to the following pupils: — Senior warden: A. Clough. Junior warden: T. Pope, T. Ropoama, B. Batchelor, B. Lowry, E. Saunders, G. Cameron, W. Vinsen and D. Lee. G. Taylor was unfortunately not \ able to be present. Mr. F. O. Burtt, headmaster of Shannon School, is to be congratulated for the fine work these boys are doing. Moreover, parents and motori.sts as a whole owe him a debt of gratitude for his work in the interests of safety. At Otaki the primary school patrols are under instruction by Mr. Yates, the headmaster, and will shortly be operating. Mr. Yates has had considerable experience and will make sure that hls patrol is second to none. At Ohau the following were presented with their safety warden badges: — Senior warden: J. Pilgrim, B. Burnell, W. Kuiti and N. Whiley. Juniors: N. Davis, R. Kuiti, P. Putu, ' R. Tatene, H. Wehipeihana, V. Whiley, Miss J. Burnell and Miss C. I Tatene.