ELMWOOD SCHOOL.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14512, 19 December 1912, Page 2

ELMWOOD SCHOOL.

WANTED: A MARQUEE. INSPECTORS TO REPORT. At yesterday's meeting of the North Canterbury Education Board, the matter of tho overcrowding at Elmwood school was again raised, and tho proposal made that a marquee should be provided as a means of temporary relief. Mr Andrews, in accordance with notice given, moved: — "That tho following resolution, passed by the Board on October 16th, should be rescinded: 'The matter of the accommodation at the Elmwood school was further dealt with. A Ist of the names of the children (128 in all) attending the Elmwood school but living outside tho school district was received. It was resolved that the Board cannot consider the question of making additions to the Elmwood school until all the children now attending this school from other and adjoining districts have ceased to attend the Elmwood school.' It was also recommended that this resolution should be forwarded by tho Board to tho chairman of the'Elmwood school committee, and that a marquee should bo erected at the school." It was absolutely necessary, he said, that something should bo done to remedy this overcrowding. With the hot weather which was being experienced, they were damaging the health of the children concerned. It was impossible to ask the hundred odd superfluous children to go elsewhere. Thcae who camo from outsido districts had, in tho majority of cases, been attending the school for some seven or eigln years. It was not a fair proposiirsn to ask them to go elsewhere, if they wero going to enforce the regulations about the boundaries they should see that the boundaries were equitable and fair to all. In tho meantime, he pleaded for the grunting of this tent us a measure of temporary accommodation. A letter was received from tho Department intimating that after consideration of all the circumstances the Minister saw no reason to dissent from the decision of tho Board, and •asking that the chairman of the Elmwood School Committee be. advised to this effect. Mr C. A. C Hardy moved as an amendment:—"That the Board should provide the ma:quee as soon as, in tbo opinion of the inspectors, it was thought necessary." Mr Hardy suggested that far t:o much fuss was being mado about tho Elmwood school, which happened to bo of a somewhat aristocratic character. It had been greatly advertised over this matter. Mr Adams seconded the amendment. After discussion, Mr' Andrews said he was at a loss to see how the) amendment could be carried while the original motion remained on the books. That motion decided that no action should be taken, and this amendment, without it being rescinded, recommended that something be done. He j had been compelled to move his rescinding motion because ho had been ruled out of order before. Now the chairman seemed to allow that action could be taken. Mr Opje moved that a marquee be provided at the opening of the school, it apparently being understood that Mr Andrews's motion would bodrooped. Mr Hardy maintained his amendment, that the inspectors should report before the marquee be provided. On a vote being taken, Mr Hardy's sucgestion was carried by six votes to three.