QUEENSTOWN JUBILEE

Southland Times, Issue 20939, 23 November 1929, Page 4

QUEENSTOWN JUBILEE

* EDUCATION BOARD’S VISIT. TOUR OF THE DISTRICT. REPORT BY CHAIRMAN. In connection with the Queenstown jubilee celebrations a report from the chairman (Mr A. W. Jones) was l presented at the monthly board meeting yesterday, stating that in company with Messrs W. Carswell, L. Evans, S. Rice, the architect (Mr Ji J. Gough) and the secretary Mr R. Brownlie), he had visited Queenstown on November 1. That evening board members were waited on by two deputations consisting of residents from Lower Shotover district, who, taking advantage of the presence qf members, desired to bring matters of moment under the notice of the board. The first deputation, headed by Mr J. A. Bagrie, chairman of the Lower Shotover School Committee, voiced the strong opposition of tho majority of the residents of Lower Shotover to the proposal to dose the school and consolidate with Queenstown, urging that the original proposal be proceeded with to remodel and transfer one room of the present school to the proposed new site at the bridge. After lengthy discussion it was finally arranged that board members meet the committee and other residents on the ground the following morning.

Mr L. Lee then interviewed members urging that steps be taken to arrange for a conveyance to carry to Arrowtown, children from homes in the district neighbouring Lake Hayes and lying between the upper and lower roads from Arrowtown to Queenstown. It was arranged that an inspection of the district to be served be made in this case also, the following morning. Next day, therefore, members of the school committee, showed board members over the proposed new site near the Shotover bridge and after a careful inspection of the area pegged* off, a visit was paid to the old school and site. Here it was found that extensive renovations were being carried out by the board’s staff in connection with the , school residence. The committee took the opportunity to point out the disadvantage of the present site, viz., the encroachment of the river upon the school ground, the prevalence of dust rising in clouds from the river bed in certain states of the wind, and the wetness of the ground round the school building and certain times as the result of water draining off the neighbouring terraces. The proposed route for the conveyance of children from the district in the vicinity of Lake Hayes was then traversed under the guidance of Mr L. Lee, and the homes concerned with the number of children available were duly noted. The great improvements being effected to the grounds at Arrowtown as the result of the commendable efforts of the school committee in raising funds for subsidy purposes elicited high appreciation and the very fine school garden inspected made an instant appeal. On the return journey by Arthur’s Point opportunity was taken to inspect the old school site at Miller’s Flat. Next the school site at Arthur’s Point was visited and the area proposed to be added to the school grounds duly inspected. In the afternoon the opening function in connection with the jubilee celebrations was attended, the town being en fete for the occasion. The principal event in Monday’s programme was an excursion to Glenorchy and board members took advantage of the trip to inspect the school at Rees Valley and to confer with tho committee of the Glenorchy School. At the evening function representatives of the Otago Education Board were also present, the chairman of the Southland Board and the acting-chairman of the Otago Board, each having the honour of giving a short address.

A deputation from residents of .the Frankton district also waited upon members of the board to urge the claims of their district for improved educational facilities, a strong appeal being made for the provision of a conveyance to take the children to Queenstown, emphasis being laid on the long distance some children had to travel to attend Shotover School involving in the ease of one family the dangerous crossing of the Kawarau River in addition to a five mile walk each way. Members were convinced that the proposal was worthy of the board’s support and preferable to the only alternative, viz., to apply for the erection of a new school to meet the needs of Frankton residents.

The disabilities under which the Queenstown School had always laboured as a result of the limited area of the grounds had long been recognized by the board. The question of securing additional ground was therefore carefully considered and members were unanimously of the opinion that the Department should be approached with a view to authority being obtained to purchase two adjoining sections, one at the rear of the present playground and the other in front of the school garden.

In conclusion, Mr Jones said that this visit to the Lakes District enabled members to get first hand information in regard to quite a number of problems that had come before the board, and by this opportunity of coming into personal contact with committees and residents and actually seeing conditions for themselves, members were now in a much better position to deal with various important matters that have lately come under consideration. To the school committees throughout the district a word of commendation was due for the keen interest that was evidently taken in the welfare of the schools under their charge, and for the praiseworthy efforts that were being made to beautify and effect improvements to the school grounds.