VISIT TO DUNEDIN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22397, 19 October 1934, Page 9

VISIT TO DUNEDIN

SCHOOL CHILDREN’S WELCOME DIFFICULTY’ OF ORGANISATION Though it was agreed that the board would do what it could to assist, the view was expressed by members of the Otago Education Board at their meeting yesterday that they could not undertake the responsibility of organising the welcome which it is proposed that school children should give to the Duke of Gloucester at 11 a.m. on January 11, owing to the- difficulties created by the fact that the schools will be closed at the time. The secretary (Mr G. W. Carrington) reported that the returns received from schools showed that the following numbers might be expected at the several centres: — Dunedin Centre (21 Dunedin schools). —Pupils, 1824; teachers, 28. Seven hundred and nine children would be on holiday in Otago and might be able to come in with country schools. Country schools coming by rail: Eightythree—Pupils, 1935; teachers, 25; committeemen, 109. Sixty schools would be without teachers. Oamaru Centre (21 Schools). —Children, 586; teachers, 4; committeemen, 44. Only three schools would have teachers. Gore Centre (13 Schools) .—Children, 285; teacher, 1; - committeemen, 22. Only one school would be accompanied by a teacher. Of country schools which could take advantage of the one-day trip" to Dunedin, the report added, 23 could not do so and 30 had not yet replied. Mr D., C. Cameron expressed doubt whether the board would be justified in proceeding with arrangements for a display when only 4600 out of a total of 17,000 pupils could be present, and when only 53 teachers would be able to accompany them. A number of these children would have to leave their homes at 3 or 4 o’clock in the morning. They would have to be on the ground at 10.30, and would have to leave by 4 o’clock in the afternoon to return to their homes. The town children would be able to see the Duke in the streets or at some of the functions. The board’s office would also be closed at’ the time, but there was a large amount of work that would have to be done. While he was a supporter of any effort that might be made to let the children see the King’s son, he doubted very much whether the board would be justified in entering into all the organisation that would be required. Otago might follow the example of Auckland and allow the Civic Committee to make arrangements if it desired to do so.

The chairman urged members not to come to any rash conclusion and say 'that they would not support the plans. Four thousand was no small number. There could, of course, be no arranged demonstration by the children. Mr Cameron said that the Civic Committee might undertake the organisation. “Don’t let them put it on to us,” he added. The chairman: We can refer it to the committee. , , , , The secretary said that the Education' Department had asked the boards to take charge of the local arrangements. The chairman: All we can do at the present time is to tell the Civic Committee that we are prepared to do what we can to help, but cannot take any responsibility. Members agreed to this course.