ST. GLAIR SCHOOL

Evening Star, Issue 19407, 16 November 1926, Page 3

ST. GLAIR SCHOOL

UNSATISFACTORY CONDITION OF PLAYGROUND DEPUTATION TO EDUCATION BOARD A deputation of about twenty persons comprising members of the St. Glair School Committee and parents of pupils attending the school waited upon tho meeting of the Otago Education Board to-day to ask that improvements be carried out to the school playground during the forthcoming Christmas vacation. Air H. L. Humphreys, the first speaker, said the members of the committee and the parents were concerned not only with the educational requirements of the children, but also with their health. The playground was at present in a “ frightful state,” and tho children could not move about much without getting their feet very wet. During the winter months these conditions tended to accentuate the troubles which arose among children at that time. The parents were quite willing to help the board in the scheme, which would be a large one. The drainage was not adequate to take tho water away; Mr L. Rhodes said the main trouble was that the water could not get away. Apparently the school building was erected on reclaimed ground, which had sunk. Asphalting had been done, but its effect had been lost through tho ground sinking. The committee had done a great deal, but its work had been futile. They wanted the board to elevate certain parts of the ground, and to carry out asphalting. Mrs Stewart said the children were continually getting colds through getting their feet wet. Mr P. Priest said the committee, .with the assistance of the board, had spent a good deal on the grounds. The job would have to be done thoroughly if it were to be effective.

In reply to the chairman, Air Priest said the committee had in hand about £2OO, which it had collected from the residents.

Air H. W. Jones said the district had been thoroughly ransacked for money, and now the deputation came to the board not with a request, but with a demand

The Chairman: “Don’t talk like that. If you are going to talk like that the board will not listen to you.” Air Jones said that perhaps it would be better for him to recall tho remark. The parents had recognised the position and had subscribed the money. The committee was afraid that if something were not done now it might have to make another call on the residents and in that case it might not moot with a very sympathetic response. Tho Chairman said the board would see that the ground m> made quite safe for the children. He _ deprecated anybody demanding That was not the way to get anything out of the board.

Air Halliday; “Air Jones was locking at the matter as purely one in which tho Education Board put down a school and did not put in sufficient drainage to take the water off the ground.” The Chairman: “ You are making a statement which is arguable.” Iho speaker went on to say that tho board would do tho best it could, but would not be dictated to as to how it was to spend money. In fuvhcr explanation of his previous remarks, Air Jones said the householders wore getting in the position of demanding something from the committee. He did not wish to make any strong statement to the Education Board.

The Chairman: “ The board will do all it can for you. As far as I am personally concerned, it is news to mo that conditions are so desperate as have been made out,”

> Air Rhodes thanked tho board for receiving the deputation, and remarked that it was hoped the work would be carried out during the holidays.^ After the deputation withdrew it was decide*' that the members of the board visit the school to-morrow, and that the architect draw up a report for tho next meeting.