CONVEYANCE OF SCHOOL CHILDREN.

Shannon News, 20 July 1926, Page 3

CONVEYANCE OF SCHOOL CHILDREN.

On Tuesday night, the 13th inst., a meeting was held in the reading room at Miranui Mill (made available by courtesy of Mr Seifert) when a few members of the Shannon School Committee, consisting of Messrs Tippler (chairman), Roberts and Lankshear, accompanied by Mr White, headmaster, endeavoured to, explain to a fairly representative number of the parents in that area the reason.of the withdrawal of the bus from the Kingston run, and if possible to form some, plan whereby the scholars might again be assisted to reach the Shannon School. • Mr Tippler, after apologising for - the unavoidable absence of Mr Blackwood, gave a brief outline of the position, and so' completely exonerated Mr White, Who is seems had been held somewhat to blame by a few, for doing what turned out to he solely his duty in fulfilment of the demands of the Department. It appears that in the face of increasing demands for conveyance over the' Dominion the burden, is becoming too great for the Department who are compelled to curtail services in any district which is, after investigation, proved not to warrant continuance. Much discussion followed, during which the residents stressed the fact of it being a long distance for small children to walk in bad weather especially, coupled with the dangers of walking a road. busy with moior traffic.-

Some were paying for tlreir children to be conveyed to Makerua by bus, which, as was pointed out, tended to defeat tlie. Education Board's own idea of consolidation, by aiding decentralisation, it being generally admitted that a child had greater advantage at a large school. Finally, it, was explained that if all parents "would co-operate and be will; ing to subscribe a small sum per week for the scholars who were above the age to come under the capitation, it might yet be possible to reinstate the bus service and thus assist tlie younger members of tlie community. After a little further discussion it was agreed to forani a committee of die parents interested to go into the matter and forward their decision to the right, quarter. The meeting then closed after the usuttl votes of appreciation had been moved. On Thursday evening Mr R. 1.. Tippler (chairman) and Mr Watkins, representing the Shannon School Committee, with Mr White, the headmaster, met a number of residents of Buckley at Mr Bowler’s residence, and discussed tlie bus arrangements for conveying the children from Buckley to school. At present tlie bus only goes to the corner of the main road and children from the, railway side do not derive much benefit, from it. It was decided to make a request for the bus to proceed along the road at Buckley.