TRANSFER OF CLINICS

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29391, 19 December 1960, Page 4

TRANSFER OF CLINICS

Questions By Mr L A. G. Rich Doubts whether the lecturer in charge of speech therapy at the Christchurch Teachers’ College is happy at the idea of moving the Cranmer College speech clinics have been expressed by Mr L. A. G. Rich, vice-president of the North Canterbury Speech Therapy Association. The clinics are to be transferred from Cranmer College to the top floor of a building housing the caretaker. “My impression of the matter is that the lecturer in charge of the clinics was verbally informed of the proposals and reported jn writing adversly on them," says Mr Rich. Mr Rich, in his statement, puts two questions to the Canterbury Education Board which he suggests that the board might answer through Mr A. Greenwood, the board’s chairman. (On Friday. Mr Greenwood issued a statement to the effect that approval for the move had been given by Education Department officers and Teachers’ College representatives, and that the lecturer in charge of speech therapy had “had the opportunity to examine and comment on the suggested layout in the house.” On Friday also, the Prime Minister, Mr Holyoake, promised an investigation of the position.) “I have the greatest personal respect for Mr Greenwood, who has done much for education in our city. He was, in fact, for many years the board’s liaison officer with our association, and as such did a sterling job.’’ Mr Rich says. “It is not clear if his reported remarks were made after he had personally examined the board's files or not. “My impression of the matter is that the lecturer in charge was verbally informed of the proposals and reported in writing adversely on them. “Would the board, through Mr Greenwood. be prepared to explain why, when the needs of both students and children have been known for years, suitable acommodation for each has not been in fact provided. “Could the board make available for publication of any reports on this accommodation it has received from the lecturer in charge either directly or (as by normal protocol) through the medium of the Teachers’ College principal?” Mr Greenwood's Reaction Mr Greenwood, when approached by “The Press" yesterday for comment on Mr Rich's statement, said he would “have to have a good look into things before saying anything. I want to make sure I don’t put a foot wrong, and I shall need to make a careful inquiry before commenting,” he added. “Moreover, if the department is to make an investigation, as has been announced, I don’t know that it would be right for me to speak at this stage.”