SOLDIERS OR CHILDREN?

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VI, Issue 1735, 5 September 1919, Page 11

SOLDIERS OR CHILDREN?

TECHNICAL COLLEGE SITE. EDUCATION BOARD DISCUSSION. A deputation, consisting of Messrs \V. Goss and A. F. Drayton, representing the Repatriation Board, waited on the Education Board at its meeting to-day and urged that the site of the old infant school, on Moorhouse Avenue, and the building itself, should be made available for extension" of the Technical College for the training of returned soldiers. The speakers said that the need was urgent, and something must be done in Canterbury at once to train these men; otherwise, they would be lost to the province. Mr Drayton suggested that it might be possible to transfer the children attending the infant school to the East Christchurch School or the Phillipstown School. In reply to a question by Mr J- Jamieson, Mr C. H. Opie said that he would make an effort to house the children attending the infant school in the Technical College building. The chairman (Mr E. H. Andrews), said that the board was anxious to do all it could for the returned soldiers. However, it was inevitable that before long the whole block would go to the Technical College. If a building could be secured to accommodate the children attending the infant school, the whole problem could be solved. Discussing the matter subsequently, Mr A. Peverill said that the Repatriation Board and the Technical College had neglected their duty in not having looked ahead and made proper arrangements for the training of the soldiers, instead of seeking to take away one of their rjrimary schools. All the primasy schools were already overcrowded. The infant school would -not carry machinery. The Technical College people knew that the soldiers were coming back, ,and they should have made arrangements two years ago. Mr J. Jamieson said that the Technical College should be given the infant school. If the school were burned" down, the board would have to make arrangements to accommodate the children.

Mr C. 11. Opie said that there were only about 40 children tpr whom special provision would have to be made, as the remaining children could go to other schools. He suggested that a temporary structure be erected to accommodate the school children.

Mr T. Hughes asked why, if a temporary structure' was to be erected, it should not be erected for the returned soldiers. Mr A. Peveiill said that it was impossible to put little children in a tin shed during the summer months—it would be cruel.

Mr C. S. Howard approved of the proposal to erect the shed for the soldiers.

Mr Peverill suggested as a solution of the problem that a portion of the school building be given to the returned soldiers, the rest.to be retained for, the school children.

It was decided, on the motion of Mr J. Jamieson, that as many children as possible be accommodated in surrounding schools, and that the remainder should be accommodated in a long room of the existing building, on condition that the Technical College authorities provide a caretaker.