SCHOOL NOT CLOSED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20112, 24 November 1928, Page 14

SCHOOL NOT CLOSED.

SCARLET FEVER OUTBREAK. "A VERY SERIOUS ACTION." [BV TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] CIIKISTCIIUItCII, L«'ri day Strong disapproval and criticism of tho action of tho Luiwood Avenuo School Committee in keeping the whole school open, contrary to tho instructions of tho Health Department tliat it should closo the lower classes bccauso of the prevalence of scarlet fever, was expressed at to day's meeting of the Canterbury Ldueation Board.

Mr. C S Thompson said definite instructions had been disobeyed. Tho chairman. Mr. \V. H. Winsor, said the doctor wore apparently concerned over t(ie position and had asked them to close the schools. They told tho doctors that it would be a very unfortunate time because of the proximity of the examinations, but they reluctantly agreed to close the lower classes. As far as Ihe Liuwood Avenue School was concerned the members of the committee had taken the responsibility of keeping tho school open upon themselves. Ho had told them tlieir duty was to do as tho department had instructed tlicm.

"When tho committee kept tho school open and forcod tho children to go back to tho school against the order of tlje Health Department, it took a very serious action," said Mr. W. A. Ranks 'lt a child had died of scarlet fever when it went back to school the committee would have been hold responsible for that child's death There is little doul.t about that."

Tho Chairman: Yes, they were very foolish.

Mr Thompsons What arc wo going to do about it? .

Tht- Chairman; Wo might reprimand the committee

The following motion was carried unanimously "That, in nil rases affecting tho health of the commui.ity wh-n definite instructions from the Health Department arc issued through the controlling authorities for education in any district, it is the duty of school committed; to obey such instructions, seeing that noncompliance therewith may place a very heavy responsibility upon thusu concerned. "