LIVELY MEETING

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 48, Issue 252, 3 August 1928, Page 5

LIVELY MEETING

SCHOOL CONSOLIDATION.

BOARD MEMBERS HECKLED.

THE BUSHSIDE OPPOSITION. The meeting called "to finalise the proposals to consolidate the three schools" (Springburn, Bushside and Alford Forest)," held in the Bushside schoolroom last evening, proved a fiasco, savouring much of the time of a country squabble. The schoolroom was crowded to capacity, while several stood in the porch, and from the first there was a restless feeling of expectancy. The Education Board was represented by Messrs T. Hughes, E. H. Andrews and G. W. Armitage. Mr E. Grigg (chairman of the Alford Forest School Committee), was elected chairman, but not without opposition. Heckling started by certain committeemen complaining of the procedure of calling the meeting, the chairman stating that the school committees had been ignored in the matter. The members of the Board explained that there was no intention of ignoring the committees, and read the notices convening the meeting, which had not been their (the members present) work. The chairman then invited the members »f the Board to state their case. Mr Andrews ..said the matter before the meeting was very simple. They had not come to discuss the old question whether consolidation was desirable. "Let me tell you definitely that consolidation has to take place," he said, and continued that the matter had come to the stage of people not being able to make up their mind. The Education Department had decided that it was desirable to establish a consolidaffed school at Bushside, and asked them to hold another meeting for the purpose of discussing the best routes, etc. The Department undoubtedly had power to close the school. "We have come to tell you that." Mr Andrews said the old school at Alford Forest was done, work was needed at Bushside, and part of the Springburn school had passed its usefulness. Work was also needed on the school houses. At Bushside the district would have a new school or the necessary new buildings. What the meeting was* asked to do was to appoint a committee of two from each district to go into the matter of routes, costs, etc. "The quicker you do it, the sooner you will have your new school." Mr Hughes also stated that the Department had power to close the schools. He spoke of the amount of money required to keep up the three schools. The matter of consolidation bad been debated. They were present to carry out the instructions of the Department and the Board.

The Wishes of the People. Mr Grigg: Has the Board ever closed a school against the wishes of the householders ? Mr Andrews: No, we have never had to. Mr Grigg said ho did not think tbp Board could, or should, go against tiie voice of the people. The people wanted the schools at Alford and Springburn to remain.

Mr Andrews said the Department had often closed a school, but the Canterbury Board had never had to close one against the wishes of the people. A householder asked: Why not bring in Mount Somers? Tho members of the Board,.said it was too far away, and were told that it warf about four miles from Springburn. Alford Forest members were quick to add that their district was 10 miles from JMethven, but there was no intervening school. At this stage there was a good deal of broken discussion on going against the wishes of the people, and it was 1 assorted that the Board had not received the voice of tho people on the matter. Mr G. Fittock (chairman of the Bushside School Committee) referred to the previous meeting at Bushside, stating that the voting in favour of consolidation Mas unanimous.

A voice: I beg to differ The chairman said that that meeting had been called in a worse way than the present one. It was 1 not representative of Alford Forest opinion. Mr Fittock: It was certainly a test of Bushside and Springburn feeling. Mr Andrews, referring to papers, read a motion embracing Alford Forest, Springburn and Bushside, stating that tho householders of those districts were unanimously in favour of consolidation. "You cannot say it was'never carried, ho said, adding with emphasis, "I say it was."

Attitude of Alfcrd Forest. The chairman said that afterwards the board had come to Alford Forest to get an opinion about the matter, so that did not look as if the previous Bushside meeting was conclusive. Mr Andrews: If we had known it was going to be like this we would not have come back. It seemed to him as if Alford Forest wanted to stand out. How wero they going to cany on when their school was closed? Why should they stand out?

Mr A. Bentley said the districts had six teachers now. How many would they have in a consolidated school? Mr Andrews: Possibly four. A Voice : Possibly ; not probably. Mr Andrews referred then to the better grade of teachers they would have.

j A Householder: The ones we have now are good enough for us. Mr Andrews: That's the amount of interest a man's got. The next question was: How long would it be before tho Board would act —three, or four or five years? It was the Board's fault that the matter was no further ahead now.

Mr Armitage, breaking in with some heat, said that that was a most absurd statement. It was the committee's fault—the committee that was elected at the previous meeting to go into the matter of costs and routes for the 'bus.

And there ensued an argument between the chairman and Mr Armitage about routes and costs. Mr Andrews said that the Board was trying a little persuasion. A Voice: You can take a horse to water

Mr Andrews: Yes, but von can't shoot the horse. Dnn't think it i« n v* use carrying on like this*. If Alford Forest school is closed your children

will have to attend school or you will be prosecuted. The chairman: But this is a democratic country. The Board members: We can't carry on like this. Mr A. Hart was next on hie feet, and proposed a motion of ' 'No-eonfi-dence in our representatives of the Board and that consolidation be not carried." This seemed to be seconded in seyferal places. Mr A. Grigg asked would the Board carry children free if the schools are closed. Mr Andrews said there was not the slightest doubt about children being carried free except when over age or under the distance on the bus routes. A voice: We don't want bus routes. Mr Andrews: I've heard children talk like that, but children don't get all they want. After more heckling Mr Hughes tried to calm matters by pointing out the advantages to the children. He stated that present fluctuation of attendances resulted in frequent changes ..of staff. The .Department looked at the interests of the children. Lately a committee had drawn up a revised syllabus, and it was in favour of consolidation where circumstances were favourable. " I think your resolution is uncalled for, unjust and "untrue." He mentioned the success of consolidation in other places, and said no place would reyert to the former state of affairs.

An Amenilment Lost. Mr Fittock then proposed as an amendment: "That six householders be appointed to map out routes " "Supply the information required by the Board," suggested Mr and Mr Fittock agreed. A voice: Did you or Mr Andrewspropose that? Mr Fittock (meekly): I did. Mr Andrews referred to drastio changes being made in educational work. It's no use, he said, kicking against the pricks. You can't set yourselves up as authorities. What's the use of a little place like Alford Forest kicking against it? Mr E. Perrin: Springburn, too. Mi- Andrews (tired): Well, the whole of Canterbury. Mr Hughes next bore the brunt of a lot of heckling questions, and he calmly stood answering them. Mr A. Grigg said the greatest trouble with Alford Forest was the bus and its accompanying cost. Mr Andrews: In no place that I know are parents paying. A voice: We don't* " think." Mr Andrews: You won't pay, so you won't pay. Finally the amendment was put and declared lost. Then the motion was put and declared carried, but onlv about half those present voted.

Thanks for "Courtesy." _ The chairman: Well, as I think that is all the business, I declare the meeting Mr Armitage sprang forward. f *l want to thank the meeting very much for its beautiful motion. I shall carry away the happiest feelings of this meeting. That motion comincr from the Alford Forest School Committee is most pleasing to me." The chairman: Springburn seconded it. *~-

Mr Hughes and Mr Andrews also thanked the meeting for its "courtesy."

Mr Andrews also stated that he was very sorry, but when they reported to the Department through the Board the motion would be entirely futile.. The refusal to give the information required simply meant that the Department would send an officer into> the district to get the information. 'lt would have been at least courteous for you to give us the information."

And it was not till then that the chairman finally got "the meeting closed."