SCHOOL BUSES IN CANTERBURY

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27688, 18 June 1955, Page 3

SCHOOL BUSES IN CANTERBURY

SERIOUS SHORTAGE REPORTED BOARD TO ASK MINISTER ’TO HELP Some schools in the Canterbury Education Board’s district may have to close unless buses are quickly provided to transport pupils, according to several members of the board at yesterday’s meeting. Supply of school buses was described as “impossible” and completely unsatisfactory. TTie board decided to write to the Minister of Education (Mr R. M. Algie), setting out the difficulties encountered in obtaining buses, and asking that a senior officer of the department be sent to discuss vehicle supplies with the board’s transport committee. “It may be necessary to close some schools where transport is not available,” said Mr C. S. Thompson, chairman of the transport committee. A very difficult situation had developed in many districts, and efforts by the committee to obtain buses had been unsuccessful, he said. “Over a month ago we took the matter up with the Minister. I have been told that there is no difficulty in obtaining chassis for buses if the money is provided, so it seems that • the Treasury is behind this.” Chertsey was a district where the school transport situation was “completely unsatisfactory,” said Mr C. H. F. Maynard. Ruapuna was another school badly in need of relief, a member said. “I was present when Mr Thompson made a plea to the Minister,” said the chairman of the board (Mr S. J. Irwin). “I understood that everything would be done to help. It may be true that these vehicles are not available.” School transport systems were being neglected, said Mr G. C. Warren. “We have been messing about with this for some months now, and it is only getting worse. We should refuse to be fobbed off. If it is a matter of finance, let them be honest and tell us.” Mr Warren moved that the Minister or a high officer of the department be asked to meet the board in open meeting and discuss the question, but his motion was later withdrawn in favour of that carried. “Buses are having to make double trips and people are kept waiting,” Mr Warren said. Lack of funds could not be the answer, said Mr F. T. Ager. The education vote was underspent. Mr Irwin explained that the department was apparently reluctant to divert money voted for one purpose to another.