CHILDREN'S PLAYGROUNDS.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 191, 13 August 1919, Page 5

CHILDREN'S PLAYGROUNDS.

100 ACRES WANTED. FOR CITY SCHOOLS. The value of the conference held yesterday was mentioned at the meeting of the Auckland Education Board this morning, and it was decided to ask the members of Parliament who were present to form a deputation to the Minister, itndor Sir Frederick Lang, to ask that a sum sufficient to meet the educational requirements of the Auckland district be granted.

The amount to bo asked for has yet to •be lLxcd, but the chairman (Mr. E. C. Banks) stated subsequently that at least £1,000,000 was wanted for tho requirements of primary education in the Dominion. An estimate is also to be sent to the Department of Education of the amount required to provide 12 square feet of floor space for each child.

This gave rise to a lengthy discussion on the subject of playgrounds, in the course of which Mr. Ranks said ho would like to see an acre provided as a playground for every 100 children at each school in the city. To do this 100 acres were required at once. This would cost about £3,00(1 per acre. In addition, the Board should look to the requirements of the future or endeavour to acquire another 100 acres in the outskirts of the city which would cost between £30,000 and £40.000.

Mr. G. AY. Murray expressed the opinion that an attempt should lie made to take the older children out to the suburbs in order to relieve the congestion in the city.

Mrs. Haume said it scorned to her the Hoard should follow the lines adopted in oilier parts of the world where children's playgrounds were established apart from the schools—sometimes in parks—in charge of special teacbers.

Hon. G. J. Garland said that if the children of the Dominion wanted playing spaces, they should have them, irrespective of the cost. The matter should be pressed home.

Mrs. Baume urged further that the Hoard should seek the co-operation of local bodies and endeavour to secure grounds in the city apart from the school where children could play after school hours, but it was held by other members that this proposal was beyond the capabilities of the Board.

Mr. Banks said he had gone into tho matter carefully, and the figures quoted by him had been arrived at nfter consultation with Mr. Diinlup, advising inspector to the Board.

The matter was postponed for discussion at the «ext meeting of the Board.