SCHOOL LIBRARIES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27166, 23 August 1949, Page 6

SCHOOL LIBRARIES

EARLY SERVICE IN DUNEDIN OUTLINE TO CITY COUNCIL Dunedin was one of the first cities in New Zealand to adopt libraries in schools. This was in 1927. A statement to this effect was made by the chairman of the Library Committee of the City Council, Cr Sidey, at last night’s meeting of the council. He added that the school library service would be extended from existing stocks of books to Standards 4. 5 and 6 in all schools in Dunedin, and by the beginning of next year this service would be given to the first three standards. Cr Sidey said that a committee comprising representatives of the Otago Education Board, the council, and the National Library Service had done excellent work in the past two years in promoting the service. Bridgman Street Widening The widening of Bridgman street at its intersection with Anderson’s Bay road, details of which were contained in the Works Committee’s report as presented by the chairman, Cr Ireland, was favourably commented upon by cpuncillors. Cr E. J. Anderson asked the chairman if it was necessary to maintain the traffic island at the entrance to the street. He had noticed that it was confusing to people who did not know the locality. When the road was widened, would it be possible to remove the island?

Cr Ireland remarked that the island had a steadying effect upon traffic, and it was much appreciated by traffic turning into Bridgman street from Anderson’s Bay road. Such islands were accepted all over the world as a part of the system of traffic control. When the old school was pulled down and the street widened no doubt the island would be moved further over. Road Menace

Had there been any progress with the matter of the potential danger at the Mornington terminus, Cr Smith asked the chairman of the Transport Committee (Cr E. J. Anderson) during the presentation of the latter’s report. There would be a fatal accident with children- there some morning with the buses backing round. Cr Anderson said the matter was in the hands of the acting engineer. The question of making a turning circle in a part of the playing area had been considered, but the engineer was now going into the question of moving the bus stop further up the street. He agreed with Cr Smith that it was a serious matter and it would be attended to. Sale of Corporation Bus Cr Armitage also asked the chairman of transport if he would table a report on the bus which was reported as having been sold by the council for £525 some months ago. Cr Anderson stated that he would be glad to furnish the report asked for. From memory he said the bus concerned had" done over 279,000 miles, and the purchaser of it for £525 or £550 had later given someone an option to purchase it for £I3OO. That did not indicate the true value of the bus. The transaction was no reflection on the department or any officer of the department. Trespassing on Reserves Cr Sidey sought an assurance from Cr N D Anderson that the advertised restrictions on the trespassing on council ground at Flagstaff because of the recent fire would not be extended to include trampers and young people who had used for years the hills around Flagstaff for their operations. He said that these areas were only assets to the city if they could be used by the citizens. Cr Anderson replied that the Water Committee had given a lot of thought to the matter, and what it was principally concerned with was the possibility of pollution of the water races serving Dunedin’s reservoirs. It was left to the discretion of the water superintendent whether there should be any trespassing on the city water reserves.

Cr Anderson had previously drawn attention to the fire hazard in city afforestation areas. He reported that unauthorised Dersons had been entering the areas to remove firewood and cones, but warned that proceedings would be taken in future against persons found doing so.

Others present at the meeting were the Deputy Mayor, Cr Wright, and Crs Barr, Hayward. Taverner. Jolly, and Barnes.