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Hokitika Guardian, 9 February 1926, Page 2

Tim big scheme for the transport of ttie Canterbury School children to the Dunedin Exhibition has been approved by the conferenos of Headmasters and School Committees’ Association at Christchurch. In outlining the proposal the principal speaker said the Education Court Executive was willing to take up to a thousand children a week from Christchurch, the intention being that they should go to Dunedin on the Monday or Tuesday and return on the Friday. Full provision for the care and maintenance of tlie children while in Dunedin would l>e made, and there would he a matron in charge of each dormitory and there would also he a medical officer in attendance. Mr Strnck. the Education Commissioner at the Exhibition, would .superintend the arrangements. It was proposed that, in addition to visiting the Exhibition, the children should be taken for motor drives around the city, and also for trips on the harbour. The railway fare to Dunedin would be 15s 2d for each child and the expenses during the stay would be 6s a day. For an-

other few shillings the children would be able to sample all the side shows in the Amusement Park. Everybody who had visited the Exhibition was emphatically of the opinion that it was of great educational value, and that it would he a groat pity if the primary school children did not have the opportunity of visiting it. Cheap fares were available for not more than two adults to twenty children. It was proposed that only children of Standards V. and VI should make the trip. It is hoped to secure a Government subsidy towards the undertaking, in which event the daily expense might he reduced to 4s. The above outline of the scheme, suggests that with a little organisation locally it should he possible to send some squads of children from the Westland schools. The expense would be greater from here, as the travelling time would be double, so that to secure three or four days at the Exhibition (which are little enough) some eight days, including a Sunday would be required. There would be stop-over accommodation to arrange also at Christchurch, lmt with many West C'oasf friends and well-wishers in that centre, the difficulty -such as it is—could he overcome. It seems to be too good an educational opportunity to bo lost, and as children of an age capable of looking after themselves are suggested, those connected with education in this district might meet together some convenient Saturday and discuss ways and means. With the Easter holidays in sight, it should be possible to arrange for local squads to make so rare and interesting •i tour as that suggested.