THE PHILLIPSTOWN SCHOOL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXX, Issue 15184, 23 December 1909, Page 4

THE PHILLIPSTOWN SCHOOL.

The agitation of residents of Phillips, town to have the side school in their district created a main school was voiced again at yesterday's meeting ol the Education Board. Mr W. H. Smith moved that the resolution of the Board of September 26, declining the application of Phillipstown residents for a main school at Phillipstown should be rescinded. Mr Smith said thai, as the petition of the residents of Phillipstown was so large, it should be carefully considered. He challenged the statement that there were schools adjacent to. Phillipstown where accommodation could be found. North Linwood was already crowded, and there were forces at work tending to further overcrowd it. The establishment of a main school would not affect the attendance at "Wbolston, and would relieve, pressure at other schools. Mr C. H. Opi» seconded the motion, and said that he was opposed to the creation of enormous schools. Large schools were opposed to the_ interests of education, and, although it might be impossible to limit East Christchurch to even 600, it was held by some that 500 scholars should be the limit for every school. The time was coming when there must be a new district, and ho hoped that anything now done would be done with a view to its permanency. Mr H. Langford said that the policy of every Board must be to follow the children. Mr J. Jamieson said that it would be folly to spend £3OOO on the Phillipstown site, which was not large enough. If a main school was to be erected, it should be between Aldwin's Road and Cambridge Street, where twice the area could be obtained for the same money. Mr H. Boyd said that he was of opinion that a main school should be> opened in any case near Phillipstown. The chairman (Mr T. W. Adams) said that he could not possibly give his vote for a new school, for there was no great hardship on those above Standard 11., who had to go to East Christchurch. There was no hope, either, of getting the money from the Department. Messrs Opie, Langford, Smith and Boyd voted for the motion, and Messrs Jamieson, Dalziel, Peryman and the chairman against it. The chairman gave his casting vote against the motion.