THE HON G. FOWLDS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXX, Issue 14981, 29 April 1909, Page 3

THE HON G. FOWLDS.

DEPUTATIONS IN CHRISTCHURCH Two deputations waited on the Hon G Fowlds, Minister of Education, when he arrived in Chrietchurch by the second express yesterday. All the time the train waited, before leaving for Lytteltoiij ho was kept busy, mostly with departmental affairs. The train had hardly stopped at the station when Mr G. TV. Russell, M.P., introduced a deputation from the North Linwood School Committee, consisting of the chairman, Mr W. H. Denton, and Messrs- J- A. Clarke and 0. Von Sierakowski.

' Mr Russell explained that a new school was opened in North Linwood in August last, but it proved to be too small, and it was now advisable to have it enlarged. Efforts had been made by the committee and by other,residents to induce the Education Board to have the enlargement taken in hand, so that tho school should hold six "hundred children, but the Board did not wish to staff the school, and the children had to go to other schools. Tho Minister said that if there was room in other schools at a reasonable distance from the North Linwood School, there was no chance of any funds being available for the enlargement of the school. He had no doubt that, before many more years had passed, the school would be able to hold six hundred children, but there certainly would not be any money tor enlargements as long as there was room for the surplus children in schools within a reasonable distance. It was not desirable that the other schools should be emptied. Mr Russell said that in that case, when the total accommodation was insufficient for the children in the district, and all the schools were filled, the enlargements might be carried out at the other schools before the demands of tho North Linwood School were attended to. He therefore asked if the first enlargement could bo at the new school. ; The Minister: "Yes; I do not think that there is any doubt about that whatever." He repeated, however, that no more mouey would be available until there was 'a demand for fresh accommodation at tho other schools, and until they had been filled. In reply to a question, he said that; when the school represented by the deputation was full, children would have to be sent away, and, as far as poseibleAchildren living near the other schools should be sent to them. The other deputation accompanied the Minister to Lyttelton, and brought its business before him while he was on his way to port. It represented the Opawa School Committe. Mr H. C. Lane, secretary to tho Education Board, was also present. It was pointed out to tho Minister that thero were difficulties in. regard to tho staffing of the, school. There wero three inexperienced young teachers filling the positions of pupil-teachers, but the disposition of the class-rooms did not enable the headmaster to supervise ail the young teachers, and each was placed in sole charge of a class. The deputation asked if, in view of the exceptional circumstances at Opawa, the Department would allow a fifth year pupil to remain on for another year. The Minister said that he regarded tho request favourably, and would ac-

cede to it if ho^ could do so. He would look into the subject when he reached Wellington.