SCHOOL BUSES

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25227, 4 July 1947, Page 5

SCHOOL BUSES

Sir,—At the last meeting of the Education Board reference was made to the inadequacy of school buses. Could you inform me if Education Department buses convey children in primary classes to schools other than State schools.—Yours, etc., TAXPAYER. June 23, 1947. Mr A. E. McKinnon, for the Director of Education, states: “I have to advise you that children attending private registered schools are carried in school buses on the same terms as to eligibility as children attending State schools. The decision as to who is eligible in any particular case is one that is decided by the local Education Board." It was learned from the Canterbury Education Board that eligible private school children were carried on the same conditions as State school children; but they were not taken beyond a State school. No child within two miles of a State school and no child over 10 years of age within three miles was eligible. Where no school bus service was available for greater distances, transport allowances were paid at the rate of 9d a day for under five miles and Is a day for more than five miles. Where horses were used the rates were 6d and 8d respectively. No allowance was made for bicycles. In some cases boarding allowances were paid.