BLENHEM'S NEEDS

Marlborough Express, Volume LIV, Issue 166, 16 July 1920, Page 6

BLENHEM'S NEEDS

AN INTERESTING DEBATE

"Blenheim's Needs" was the subject of discussion at the Blenheim Literary and Debating Society:s meeting on Monday night last. Two gentlemen, who have been closely associated with Blenheim's progress from the very early idays, attended the meeting, and at''the beginning of the # discussicn outlined the great difficulties and expense that had been entailed in fighting floods and confining the rivers to their courses. Although the knowledge of these facts put a heavy discount on the advocacy of some of the "needs," there were still some very good suggestions that could be taken up by our City Fathers in tho neai1 future, it: nob at once.

Better communication with )Vellington and Canterbury was considered a need of dire urgi-ncy. It would be provided by a daily steamer service to 'Wellington, and the early completion of the South Island Main Trunk Kailway. ■ The inadequacy of the Public buildings was touched upon. It was pointed out that Blenheim had been badly neglected in the spending of public money on buildings', the Post Office being a case.in point. A new Post Office iiad been decided upon by the Government some years ago, but was not gone on with on account of a disagreement with regard to the site. It was contended that the volume of business had grown to such an extent that some enlargements was very necessary for tho efficient performance of the work, with reasonable dispatch to the public. It was suggested that a new building should be erected for the Justice Department, and the whole of the ground floor given to the Post Office. The in;s;:iliciency and unsuitability of the school buildings were soundly attacked. It was pointed out that the rooms and classes were far too large for good work. The lighting was unsuitable; the ventilation was very defective; and tho playing grounds were too small, and were badly laid out. The rooms were lengthly, and v/ero so constructed that it was almost impossible, and a severe strain on the eyesight of the children in the, rear seats, to see the block-boards. The "ventilation was such that at times ,the atmosphere could be cut with a knife, as the saying was. This is atmosphere in which the coming generation was beting educated.

The desirability of infant schools in certain parts of the borough for children up to, .say, 7 3 rears of age, was the theme of another suggestion. It was pointed out that small children, some only 'j years of age, were required to go through tho busy traffic of the centre of the town, and, living a. long way from school, it ivas necessary for them to take their lunch with them, and have it at. a school built on vh© bank of a river. When one considered the numbers of lives lost in the rivers, is was easy to understand the strain and real anxiety with which- many a mother sent her little child to .school for the first time in Blenheim.

Tho deficiency of the coal supply was considered one of Blenheim'^ most urgent. questions This defect would be remedied by municipal control and distribution "of coal.

v The absence of name plates on streets was as strongly commented upon as the lack of system in the streets, A case was quoted in which cue straight, continuous street had as many as three nnmeSj and in another case a resident had lived in a street for 20 years without knowing it had a name.

. A tepid bath and gymnasium for young men were considered very desirable. The necessity of cheap electricity was dwelt upon and it was thought, that Blenheim would set out. on a new era as soon ■as electiicity was made available by the realisation of a hydro-electric scheme.' In. connection with the Library it was thought that an improved. ' reference library, and' a complete catalogue' was very necessary. The subject for next Monday (is "The effect of Climate on the Temperament and Disposition of a People." The society is open to all n>en to join.