ROYAL VISIT Transport Plans For 24,000 Children

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30044, 31 January 1963, Page 10

ROYAL VISIT Transport Plans For 24,000 Children

Six special* trains, 140 school buses, and SO Christchurch Transport Board buses making up to three trips each will convey 24,000 children to Lancaster Park on Saturday, February 16, to meet the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh. Some of the transport will leave early in the morning and travel over 100 miles, but all will converge on the park between 1030 a.m. and 11.45 ajn. Others arriving alone will bring the total to more than 30,000.

The plan makes provision to convey as many children las possible . from standard three upwards to the park without charge. Not all Will be able to attend and not all I of them could be accommodated but it is expected that almost every school will be represented. All children from Hundalee to the Waitaki river are covered by the- transport plan. Those from Oaro, KaiIkoura, and other centres In the north will go to Blenheim by arrangement with the Wellington Education Board. West Coast schools have decided not to take part in the scheme as groups. Transport arrangements lares— Umaru.—Two special trains will, carry 1100 children and I escorts from all public and I private* primary and postprimary schools between the I Waitaki and Rangitata rivers.

, A mayoral sub-committee In Timaru. is arranging the allocation of places on a pro rata basis. , Ashbarton.—A special train will carry 700 children from the Ashburton borough with a local committee allocating places. Rangiora.—A special train will bring 900 primary children only from the Rangiora, Kaiapoi, Kaiapoi North, and Belfast schools. Amberley.—A double-unit rail-ear Will bring primary pupils only from Amberley, Broomfield, Mount Grey Downs. Ashley, Ohoka, and Tuahiwi schools. Lyttelton.—A special train will carry 430 primary and post-primary pupils from LytPort Levy, Diamond Harbour, and Heathcote.

Country Dfctricta—Apart from those joining the trains, all country schools will Use

i their normal school transport > and make their own arrange* > ments. It & expected tha 4500 country children wffl i use 140 buses, compared with i about 4000 on the trains. Some i outlying schools without a ' bus service are being asked to communicate with their i nearest larger school. Christchurch City.—This ’ area has 10,000 public and 1 private primary school child* ren and “by outstanding co* ; operation of the Transport ’ Board* every one' of them will ■ be transported to the park if ' they wish. The 50 buses will 1 run shuttle services on a very tight schedule to deliver all [ these pupils between 10.30 I a.m. and 11.45 a.m. ' No transport arrangements [ have been possible for 13,000 post-primary pupils in the : Christchurch area because it , is expected that many win wish to make their own way to the park. But the old brewery building at the corner of Fitzgerald avenue and Ferry road win be available for them to park their bicycles. All post-primary pupils arriving in uniform will be directed to places allocated to them. It is hoped that principals win encourage large groups to attend. The children travelling long distances will be placed in the stands, but not all under cover. The major body of Christchurch children will be on the oval. Timing Problems "It is vital that all these school parties should be kept together,” said Mr G. C. Dawe, the Education Board’s chief clerk, who is in charge of arrangements. “It win be a big job getting them all to the park and an even bigger one ensuring that they are ready to catch their transport back home. It is estimated that 344100 will be transported tnd even a 50 per cent response by , post-primary schools would bring the total , to 304)00. . The success of' the whole ( operation would now depend on headmasters sending in re- ! turns of pupils wishing to at- , tend as .soon as schools reopened next week, said Mr : Dawe. On the co-operation shown by all concerned so far, , this should be assured.