CRITICISM OF MINISTER

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21465, 6 May 1935, Page 10

CRITICISM OF MINISTER

West Christchurch School's Status

COMMENT BY CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEE

"1 cannot, accept any suggestion that the Minister gave a gratuitous insult to the committee." This remark was made last night by the chairman of the West Christchurch District High School Committee, Mr T. Andrews, in commenting on statements made by two members of a deputation which waited on the Minister for Education, the Hon. S. G. Smith, urging higher status for the school. It was claimed in a letter written to the Minister by the two members concerned —Messrs C. D. W. L. Sheppard and S. R. Evison —and published in "The Press" on Saturday, that Mr Smith, when referring to a memorandum sent to him by the committee, said that it "did not take into account the interests of the children." That reference, they contended, , was a "gratuitous insult."

Mr Andrews declared that Messrs Sheppard and Evison were not residents of the school district as it was defined in former years, and so were not acquainted with its needs. He also said that the committee had not met since the Minister's visit, and the secretary of the committee (Mr W. G. Shackle) had not been authorised by the committee or by himself to reply to any matter in which the Minister was concerned A letter to the Minister was also published in "The Press" as having been sent by Mr Shackle on behalf of the committee, taking exception to Mr Smith's remarks. Mr Andrews added that Mr Shackle was in the same position as Messrs Sheppard and Evison in knowledge of the needs of the district.

i Service to the District ( Mr Andrews said that the Minister convoyed to committee member:; that the schoo] was not serving the interests of the children of the district. As Minister for Education that was the outlook he should take. My K. J. Howard, member of Parliament for the district, and one of the deputation, said that the school was not serving the district, and another member also concurred. Mr Shackle, Mr Sheppard, and Mr Eyison are not residents of the school district, as defined in former years, and so are not acquainted with the needs of the district, Mr Andrews said. "A very misguided committee a few years ago, asked the department to establish an intermediate school at West Christchureh. with only Addington and the West Ciiristchurcii schools as: the contributors. At present Addington is the only contributing school. Last year HO pupils left Addington and should come to West Ciiristchurcii, but only 80 came, the remainder going to other neighbouring schools, with the result that the intermediate roll is falling. "The position is simply this: If West Ciiristchurcii is made a hish school the Minister must make provision for a primary school in the district, and the intermediate school will probably be closed. The school at Milne street is now losing support and would not be a success unless Sydenham, Addington. Somerfiokl, and Spi'eydon contributed. But / upon investigation it appears that these schools are not agreeable, and I compulsion is out of the question. .Minister {'raised j "1 have always contended in the committee and also outside," said Mr Andrews, "that the primary pupils of the district were thrown overboard _by a much misguided committee. Some of these now regret the change. So it is to the credit of a very capable, studious, and alert Minister, and of the Director of Education that they have discovered the weakness in the whole affair IV) doubt they will do the right thing."