A FOURTH CITY SCHOOL.

Evening Star, Issue 3322, 13 October 1873, Page 2

A FOURTH CITY SCHOOL.

At noon to-day, a deputation consisting of Messrs J. U. Russell, iMartin, Selby, and Carrie had an interview with his Honor the Superintendent. It was explained by Mr Russell, who acted as spokesman, that the signatures to the memorial from residents in Ball Ward, which was laid before the Education Board at its meeting on Thursday, had been given in the belief that a school in that part of the City was to be applied for ; but there now seemed to be some misunderstanding on the part of the committee, who put forward the deputation’s request as confirming their application to the City Council to grant a site on the Octagon, which would not suit the deputation’s views at all. The requirements of their district, which was a large and densely populated one, extending from Stuart street to the Water of Leith, and to Forth street and Athol place, ami c unprising residents chiefly belonging to the working clashes, could only be met by the establishment of a school in the district. They found it a great difficulty to send their children to any of the present schools, because the children had to cross Great King street, and other streets on which there was considerable traffic ; for which reason a number of children residing in their part of the City was not sent to school at all. To establish the fourth school in the Octagon would be to convert the Octagon into a playground, and there they would be in greater danger from passing vehicles than anywhere. Barents would prefer to send their children to the Middle District School. His Honor : Have you represented the matter to the School Committee ?—Mr Russell : Yes, your Honor. The Committee say a normal school or something of the kind is wanted, and they consider a central site is wanted for such an institution. We have no objection to a a normal school ; we consider we are entitled to have a district school in our locality.—His Honor : You want, in the first place, the school in your own district; and, in the second, you object to the Octagon site, as being unsuitable to you?—Mr Russell : Yea. I have no hesitation in saying that our views are entirely against the Octagon site. We don’t think it at all a proper place. There are plenty of available sites in Nt. Andrew street and Firth place.—His Honor : Belonging to the public?—Mr Russell: Belonging to the Wharves and Quays Reserves.—His Honor : You see the Octagon site is only a mere suggestion on the part of the School Committee —the Corporation has not yet seen fit to grant it. The whole matter has been referred to the Executive, and will be considered at its next meeting, when 1 shall submit yo rviewson the subject —Mrßusell: The argument used by the committee was that a school off the flat would be healthier. We are of opinion that the place where the children were born and bred ought to be sufficiently healthy. His Honor : I believe it is supposed to be healthier on the flat. I must say ou the whole you have made out a very (good case, but it is very difticultfto pleas-e all parties. Probably more than one school is required.—Mr Russell replied in the affirmative—Hia Honor; Still it would be better to have one in the Octagon than none at all.—The deputation pointed out that there was no school in 801 l Want ; and they were of opinion the district urgently needed one. If it were placed in the Octagon, they would not remove their children from the schools they were now attending.—His Honor : I think you ought to repeat your case to the school committee, which must necessarily be con ulted. The Government cannot very well act in the teeth of the committee ; and L think it would be well if you got them to reconsider the matter,—The deputation then withdrew.