SCHOOL PATROLS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20958, 4 December 1942, Page 6

SCHOOL PATROLS

ROAD SAFETY SCHEME ANNUAL CONVENTION Seventy girls and boys of the primary schools of the district ibis week attended the school safety patrol convention held under the auspices of the Automobile Association (Auckland). Mr. F. Tolerton. chairman of the Automobile Association’s local advisory committee, welcomed the children, and congratulated them on the excellent manner in which they had carried out their duties during the past year. The Mayor, Mr. N. I-I. Bull, said that the schools were indebted to the Automobile Association, and the association, in turn, was indebted to tire children for their willingness to serve the public and their fellow mates in carrying out the important duties of safety patrols. Accepting this work, said Mr. Bull, was doing something for the community, and the community, he added, was proud of them. The safety patrols were rendering themselves good and useful citizens. He complimented the Automobile Association on the excellence of the school safety patrol system, and congratulated all connected with what he termed “an excellent movement.” Mr. D. A. Mae Lean, inspector of police, stated that the girls and boys had reason to be proud of having been selected by their headmasters to protect the younger children when they were crossing the road. He stated that the Police Department had the welfare of the lives of the community very much at heart, and it was a treat to see the way the safety patrols conducted their fellow pupils across the road. Mr. Mae Lean added that since the inauguration of the safety patrol system in Gisborne, the number of accidents had been reduced and now it was unknown for children to be knocked down by motor ears at intersections controlled by these boys and girls.

Ncccl To Obey The Law

The inspector mentioned that regulations were made for the good of the people as a whole, and that if motorists disobeyed and were reported they would be punished. He said to the boys and girls that the same applied to cyclists, and enlarged on common defects in regard to'cycle riding. The necessity for obeying the law, for observing the traffic rules and adhering to the requirements of safety first was stressed by Mr. T. G. Nowell, borough traffic inspector. Mr. Nowell complimented the safety patrols of Gisborne for the manner in which they protected the younger children when crossing the busy streets, and he also enlarged on the necessity of riding bicycles carefully, giving proper traffic signals and avoiding the selfish practice of riding three and four abreast.

Specialised safety instruction was given by the association’s touring manager, Mr. R. E. Champtaloup, and Mr. C. J. Cox, a member of the Automobile Association’s advisory committee and headmaster of the Muriwai School, described the film entitled “Safe Cycling.” At the conclusion of the business session, the children were the guests of the Automobile Association at lunch, and afterwards at the Regent Theatre.