EDUCATION BOARD FOR COAST

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27071, 20 June 1953, Page 2

EDUCATION BOARD FOR COAST

NOTICE OF MOTION DISCUSSED

The Canterbury Education Board yesterday morning considered a notice of motion by Mr B. W. Sansom that the division of the board’s district be discussed. Mr Sansom had barely opened when the chairman (Mr S. J. Irwin), promoted by an inquiry, asked whether the matter was to be taken in committee, * The mover said he saw no reason for such action. “I take it that you have a seconder?" asked Mr A. E. Lawrence. Mr A. Manning said he would sec-

ond the motion which was only for discussion. Surely any member was entitled to be heard. “I would point out that the idea which I think you have in your mind —the division of the district by the Southern Alps—would make the other side so small that another district would have to be taken in," said Mr Irwin to Mr Sansom. He added that he presumed some definite motion would be presented to test the feeling of the board. Mr Sansom said he was not ready to move for any division. West Coast school committees simply wanted some discussion. The Canterbury board’B area was now one of the biggest in the country. The West Coast could be ! served more economically with its own organisation. Not much expense would be necessary as the board already had an office and workshop on the Wejt Coast. From the West Coast people could attend directly to their own ares as far north as, say, Karamea. The are* taken over from the Nelson Board could be compensated by the part of the South Island now controlled by the Wellington board being transferred to Nelson. All this should give more reasonable and equitable distribution of responsibility, Mr Sansom said. Mr Lawrence, who moved that the suggestion be referred to the appoint, ments committee for further information, said that in Mr Peter Fraser's time a bill was proposed to make 13 education board districts but each board was to control both primary and post-primary schools. Mr Lawrence said he personally favoured such unification but the post-primary people objected. He was certain no Minister of Education would approve a piecemeal change. JJlr C. S. Thompson agreed that there were many other angles to be taken into account. ' The proposal was referred to the appointments committee. Mr Sansom said that the Education Boards' Association and the School Committees’ Federation might consider . a general readjustment of board ■ boundaries.