USE OF SCHOOL GROUNDS AFTER HOURS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 10 December 1938, Page 5

USE OF SCHOOL GROUNDS AFTER HOURS

ITo The Editor] I Bir, —i wish to record a protest against the short-sighted attitude adopted by tin committee of the Central School in forbidding the children to enter t lie school grounds after school hours. Almost any evening twenty o r so children can be seen playing on the road in Nile and Alton streets, causing much worry to motorists and in great danger of injury or death tc: themselves. When asked why they don’t play in school grounds and out of danger they suv they are, not allowed to do so. 1 his is hard to believe, but a glance at a large board on the gates which reads No Admittance to School Grounds Aftei Hours” shows it is only too true. However, any evening crowds of adults, many of whom never even went to tlie school may be seen in the grounds playing tennis or strollihg about— a sight which must be very pleasant to the youngsters gazing through the wire fence. I fail to see what damage the children j could do if allowed to play in their own I grounds. Perhaps a broken window once j or twice a year, but windows are not j yet as valuable as human lives. 1 know i that great indignation lias been expressed ! by parents but words are not enough. My advice is for the parents to roll up i i large numbers at the next lionseholdtion in this matter, and get rid of iiienit boy wore once young themselves. 1 am. INDIGNANT. Nelson, Bth December.