SCHOOL EXCURSION

Southland Times, Issue 17868, 19 January 1918, Page 6

SCHOOL EXCURSION

Rm-iuly the Winion School Committee, on behalf of the various schools of the dis trict. approached the member for the electorate. Str Joseph Ward, regarding lilt- annual excursion to a seaside resort-, which is always largely availed of. As a huge number of parents and children are interested we publish the n ply of the Minister of Railways : Memorandum for ihe Right- Hon. Sir J. G. Ward, Bart.. \\ eUitiglon : With reference to ymir i eli-gram of 11th December in regard to tin- request made on liehalf of the parent- and children ot Rval Bush, Loehiel, Browns, Centre Bush. < >rd.- and Winlon, regarding a pmjHXKcd school excursion to a seaside resort in February next, I have to inform you than, with a view ot releasing men for the front, the running of excursion trains has been discontinued and the issue of school and other excursion tickets abolished since 23rd .April last. 11.-avv inroads have been made on the railway ,-laff for defence purposi-s, and at the pr.-sent moment oxer 61M) railway men are on offer to the Defence Department and will be calk'd to camp at an early date. It is therefore, it.advisable for the 1 )epart-nie:nt to attempt to cater for school or kindred parties while the existing circ-iimst-awe-s prevail, i might mention that, many schools in the dominion have, since the outbreak of tim war donated to the Belgium and .uher patriotic relief funds the amount that under pear.- conditions would have been d.mated to (he picnic. I very much regret, that it is impracticable to un.kirt.ake the limning of vhoo! excursions in any par. of the dominion while existing conditions prevail.- W. 11. ]IF HR IKS, Minister of Railways-.