QUESTION OF SITES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 18218, 4 October 1919, Page 10

QUESTION OF SITES.

NEW 'OPAWA SCHOOL. HOUSEHOLDERS' VIEWS. The selection of a site for the net? Opawa School buildings has given rise to a great deal of discussion in the disrtrict, and the whole matter was very fully debated at a meeting last evening. Portions of the present school arc in sad disrepair, and the Education Board recently authorised the erection of four new rooms on a section situated at the corner of Ford lload and Newbony Road, on the Opawa side of tlie rivei. To this selection there is a certain amount of opposition, and a petition urging that the new building .should go up on the east or Radley side of the river has received strong support. There was an attendance of about seventy persons, and Mr E. H. Andrews (chairman of the Education Board) presided. Mr D. Sullivan strongly supported the movement in favour of the east side, stating that out of 380 children 300 belonged to that portion of the district. The population of Woolston was growing rapidly, and it was their duty to cater for the needs ot this suburb. To place the school on the west side would adversely afreet the welfare of the great number of children who would then be required to cross the river

Dir J. Pyeroft (a member of the School Committee) denied the statement that 300 children came from the east side of the river. In regard to the standard classes, the register showed 110 from Opawa and 130 from Radley. He alleged that there had been a certain amount of underground work going on in connection with the petition. Half of the signatures had been obtained under false pretences. Cries of “ No. It’s a lie.”

Mr R. H. Turner, chairman of the School Committee, said , that he did not care if the school were built in the moon. He wished to secure + he most suitable site, and that was the only reason for his actions. Dir W. J. Trisb (a member of the School Committee) said that the population would increase in other areas besides that on the east side. Many of those interested seemed to be without knowledge of the school district boundaries. These boundaries took in, the whole of St Martins. They started at Wilson’s Bridge, continued around the river to a point opposite the Beckenham School, and took in a great part of the hills and the Woolston Railway Station. The proposed site on tho Opawa side would lie close to two tramlines.

Dir J. Brewer moved that the meeting recommend, a site on the east side of tho river.

Dir R. H. Turner moved as an amendment—“ That as the final selection lies with tlie educational authorities, this meeting of householders is of opinion that the whole matter should, be left to them, with an urgent request that, whatever site is chosen, the now school buildings be proceeded with without further delay.’ Dir O. Anderson seconded the amendment.

Dir T. W. West (secretary of the School Committee) said that the section on the Opawa side was a square one and particularly well suited for a school. The present building on the east side was not central, and in consequence many cliildren were going to the Waltham School, which was already overcrowded, when they should be coming to Opawa. An important point was that they could have a septic tank, a vital necessity, on the west side. Also they could have open-air teaching, which was coming more and more into Peverill (a member of the Education Board) said that the, board had selected what it considered was, and would always be, the most central site. They were going to get a good school, and it was for the householders to decide the matter carefullyTho amendment was put to the meetin" and declared lost, tlie voting being 21 in favour and 28 against. The motion in favour of a site on the east sido was carried.