NOT FAVOURED

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21085, 11 July 1938, Page 6

NOT FAVOURED

Transport to School on Buses Reply to Farmers’ Union Referred to by the secretary, Mr G. H. Mulligan, as "the weakest document I have ev.r reveived from a Government Department,” a letter from the Director of Education. Mr N. T. Lambourne, regarding the transport of children to school by railway road services was tabled at' the monthly meeting of the Temuka Branch of the Farmers’ Union on Friday. With the acquisition by New Zealand Railways of the bus services between Temuka and Timaru the branch considered that free transport should be provided for children attending the Timaru Technical College. Travel on the train was free, but the pupils missed some subjects ecause the train trrived at 9.40 a.m. At the last meeting it was decided to ask the Minister of Education that free travel be made available on the buses. The Director, replying of behalf of the Minister wrote: “I note that the train from Temuka leaves at 9.4 and does not arrive in Timaru until 9.40, but. that on the return journey the train leavt-s Timaru at 4.34 and arrives at Temuka at 4.54. In view of the wait after school it is assumed that arrangements could reasonably be made with the school authorities for the children to make up .he time lost in the mornings. “It is not the pracli :».• to agree to the use of road services where rail ervices are reasonably convenient. The cost of travel by road is much greater than by rail and accommodation on the buses must first be availab’c before school children are granted the privilege of travel by road services. I "It is pointed out that a good secondary education is available in Temuka, and it is only where certain special couiscs of nstruction are required that the privilege of travel to Timaru is allowed whether by rail or road. “I regret that in an the circumstances it is not possible to agree to your request.’ The Director added that in cases where children lived considerable distances from the stations, or where travel by ’oad was advisable in preference to rail the Department would consider applications made through the Technical Col’ege Board or the High Schools’ Board. “To the devil with the Farmers’ Union,” remarked a member. Mr C. C. Stanley said the Director had not grasped the fact that there was already a special school >us running to the Timaru Boys’ High School. This went down the main road through Seadown. “We are asking for v similar service to the Technical College,” said Mr G. A. Davey. Mr Milligan: Some parents prefer Timaru and are paying for transport. The majority travelling on the train are not paying. The letter does not satisfactorily settle Ik question. In my opinion it is the weakest document I have ever received from a Government Department. Mr Stanley moved' that the Department be again approached and that H be pointed out that a special bus as | already running. “The reply is most unsatisfacto.y,” said Mr A. J. Davel. ‘The suggestion I that we should arrange after school lessons with the teachers is worthless.” “It might clash ,vi h the 40-hour week,” said Mi A. Johnson. It v. a decided to write to the Department again.