TRANSPORT FOR 6000 CHILDREN

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 156, 28 March 1939, Page 10

TRANSPORT FOR 6000 CHILDREN

Tramways Unable To Meet

Demand

SPORTS ORGANIZERS DISAPPOINTED

Some disappointment was expressed yesterday by the organizers of the combined primary schools sports meeting. to be held at Athletic Bark tomorrow, at tlie inability of the Wellington city tramways department to provide for tlie transport of the children, about 6000 of whom will be competing, to and from the ground Tlie meeting is timed to begin at 9.30 a.m and to end at about 3.30 p.m.

Tlie organizing secretary, Mr. W. J. Melody, headmaster of the Thorndon School, said that when lie learned that some of the schools had been unsuccessful in arranging tram transport be approached the traffic officers of tlie departinent on Saturday and asked for 39 trams to serve tlie schools tomorrow. He met with considerable reluctance, aud yesterday morning made a fresh request for 18 trams, which lie considered a minimum requirement, allowing for tlie older children being able to make their own way to tlie ground. He was referred to tlie general manager, Mr. M. Cable, who informed him that no provision could be made, as the notice was insufficient and Hie staff was short through sickness. He also approached the union secretary, Mr. W. N. Broad ley, who refused to consider asking the men t.o make special efforts to meet the children’s requirements. “I admit the notice was short,” said Mr. Melody, "though I did not think the problem would arise until individual schoolmasters informed me of the difficulty.” He said that for tlie meeting at the Auckland Doman last Wednesday about 13,000 children were transported, buses and trams being used. The Karori and Karori West schools had intimated that they would withdraw from the sports if trams were not available, but be understood that tlie Miramar South School bad secured one tram.

“We received no notice till Saturday, and that left us no time to make arrangements,” said Mr. Cable, when Mr. Melody’s comment was referred to him. “It was the place of tlie organizers to give us due notice of tlie arrangements, as they have bad tlie meeting in view for some time. We are short of men because of illness and could not. possibly handle the traffic by 9.15 a.m.”