SCHOOL AT THE SEASIDE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2352, 8 November 1921, Page 3

SCHOOL AT THE SEASIDE.

BOARD SUGGESTS SIDESCHOOL.

COMMITTEE 'FAVOURS CONVEYANCE TO .LOCAL SCHOOL.

At the October meeting of the local State School Committee, the question of a school at the seaside was discussed, and it was decided to write to the Board and express the Committee’s opposition to the establishment of a school at the seaside on the following grounds: (1) That the distance is within three miles of the Foxton school; (2) That'it would he more economical to convey children resident at the seaside to the local school; (3) that the number of children resident at (lie seaside does not warrant the expense in maintenance and upkeep of a separate school; (4) that it would be in the best: interests of the educational welfare of the Beach children to lie educated in Foxton’s well-equipped and staffed school.

The following reply was received from the Board, and read at last night’s Committee meeting:— “Referring to your letter of the 4th ultimo, which was placed before the Board at its last meeting, I am directed to inform you that while the Board does not favour the establishment of small schools within reasonable distance ol other schools, it feels that facilities should be provided for the education of children living in localities such :is the Foxton beach. The Board is advised on reliable authority that the distance between the Foxton school and the hall at the Beach is over three miles, and, if the distance given is correct, the regulations prevent the establishment of a side school. The Board has, however, under the circumstances, withdrawn its application for the establishment of a separate school, and has substituted an application for the establishment of a side school, attached to Foxton school, to which pupils up to about Standard IV. would he admitted. This would provide for the younger children, and I hey are the ones about whom the Board is mainly concerned. The question of conveying the children to Foxton has received consideration, but from inquiries made it is believed that it would not be possible to make satisfactory arrangements. Apart from the fact that the driver of a vehicle wojjld receive only sixpence per return trip for each child of ten years of age or over whose home is not less than three miles from the Foxton school, and for each child under ten years of age whose home is not less than two miles distant, it has to be borne in mind that the number of children to be conveyed would vary considerably, and would render it difficult lo arrange for a conveyance of suitable size to meet all requirements at all times. Further, unless the driver lived at the beach and worked in Foxton during part of tho day, lie would have to make two trips daily with an empty vehicle. Then there is the question of liability in the event of accidents to the children.

The Chairman said the establishment of ii side-school at the Beach would impose further responsibility upon the Committee and head-tea-cher, who would have to periodically visit same. Under these circumstances a separate school would he preferable, but the Act did not permit of such school being established.

Mr Perreati said a. reply had been received from I lie Board, arid the matter should end there. The Chairman had stated that it was not the Committee’s business to interfere. The Chairman said he had stated that it was not for the Committee to take the initial step. That was a matter for the Beach residents. The Committee favoured the children homo- conveyed to the local school in their own interests, and to save the Department unnecessary expense. The Committee had responsibilities as well as the Board, and it was their duty to safeguard the public funds. According to tlie actinghead teacher, it would cost the Department £3OO per year to maintain a school at the Beach, besides imposing extra work on the local headmaster, whereas if the cost of conveying the children to the local school amounted to half this amount a big saving would be effected, and the children would benefit, He quoted section 54 of the Act of 1014, which stated “that wherever there are or may he provided in the opinion of the Board, suitable and sufficient means of public conveyance the Board shall, instead of establishing a new school, arrange for the conveyance of the children to and from an existing school. If, after being requested jjy the Minister to provide the means of conveying children to and from school, the Board fails to do so, the Minister may, upon the advice of the Council, provide such means of conveyance and may deduct the cost, or any part thereof from the o-eneral grants payable to the Board.” I . Ar _ In reply to a question, Mr I eirean said there were\about 25 children at the Beach. After further discussion Mr Coley moved, and Mr Nye seconded, that the Board be informed that in the opinion of this Committee it is not advisable to establish a side-school at the seaside, but that provision be made to convey the children resident at the seaside to and from the local school. The motion was carried Mr Perreau dissenting. Messrs Nye, Coley and Pearson were appointed a sub-committee to enquire and report as to cost of conveying the children resident at the seaside to and from the school.