MACKENZIE SCHOOL

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16214, 17 May 1918, Page 4

MACKENZIE SCHOOL

ALLEGED INSANITARY SITE

REMOVAL URGED

A well-attended mooting of householders of the Mackenzie school was held oil Wednesday evening, Mr C. H. AVillis, chairman of the committee, presiding. The chairman stated that the meeting had been called for the purpose of considering the question of the removal I of the school to a more healthy site and I instructing the committee what action to take. He outlined what, steps had been taken by the previous committee, and read the Education Board's correspondence in connexion therewith. He characterised the Board's letter, in which it stated that land was being applied for at the new site selected, bS that the school could be moved "when the present buildings were worn out and if funds were available," as an insult both to the committee and the householders, who wore moving in the matter. This would not happen during this, next, or tho succeeding generation. Mr Keatloy said that, although a Dew arrival in the district, > seemed to him that drainage generally was so neglected by the ioeal autiioritv that it would make very little difference where : the school was put. 1 _Mr Pocklington, chairman of the previous committee, stated that the new ' site selected and approved bv tho Education Board was on top of a small : knoll, with a fall on everv side, and was said by the Bonrd's architect to be one of the best sites in Cantcrburv. He also stated that the members of tho Board visiting the district had expressed themselves in favour of immediately shifting the schcol, and that Mr Opie chairman of the Board, had said that they could depend on them doing all they could to li&vc tho work carricd out. . J>r. Saunders said that ho considered, it very necessary, for the health of the children, that the schoo] should bo shifted. Ho had an opportunity of examining under the floor of tho school when some boards were lifted, and the wet state of the ground would be ideal tor bacteria incubation. Acother objection to tho present site was tho water supply. Th 0 school had to de- ! pent! on rain-water supplied from tho roofs, which caught all the dirt from the main'road alongside. After further discussion, the following resolution was carried, on the motion of Air bturgess, seconded bv Mr D Haughev"That this meeting of householders having heard with dismay tho reply from the Board of Education, dated January 16th,.1918 regarding the removal of the Mackenzie school trom its present insanitary site consider it a distinct grievance, hot only to the late school committee, but also the householders of the Mackenzie school district, and would respectfully urge that the Board of Education take immediate stops to have the school removed to the site already approved by tliem whiph m our opinion would be tor the betterment of children attending the school."