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Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33702, 27 November 1974, Page 1

An open water-race running through the playground at the Templeton Primary School is a danger to children, according to the headmaster, Mr G. Eathorne.

The Paparua Rural District Council had been asked several times during the last four or five years to pipe the race, but each time a decision had been deferred, Mr Eathorne said.

The rural council this week considered another request to pipe the race, but decided not to make a decision until the works estimates are discussed next year. ■ ‘This has come up many times, and each time the council had said it would look at it the next year,” said Mr Eathorne.

Several small children had fallen in the race, but all had managed to get out, he said. The school committee and parent-

teacher association were concerned about the danger. The Canterbury Education Board had offered to erect a fence beside the race, but teachers feared that the long grass which would grow behind the fence would prevent them from seeing any children who fell in. Teachers had to watch the race constantly in case children slipped into it, Mr Eathome said. The County Engineer (Mr J. D. Annan) told a meeting of the rural council that the total cost of piping the race would be $6OOO. The Education Board had offered to pay half. The chairman (Mr A. Y. Shuker) said the open race was dangerous to children, and the request to pipe It would be considered when next year’s works estimates were prepared.