AN OVERCROWDED SCHOOL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 20042, 3 September 1920, Page 7

AN OVERCROWDED SCHOOL.

J f- —— POSITION AT ASHBURTON, “POISONOUS” AIR FOR INFANTS. A deputation consisting of Messrs W. G. Hillier and W. H. Woods, representing the Ashburton District School Comwaited upon tho Canterbury Education Board to-day to urge tlie need for a remodelling of the infant school and the building of an additional room, or in the alternative, the erection of a new building. It was stated by the deputation that tho attendance at the infant school was increasing and some relief in tho matter of overcrowding was imperative. At present a. haH was being rented from the. Presbyterian Church, but the church authorities were getting tired of tho position and might terminate the arrangement at any time, in which ease the infant school would have to bo closed. The fact that the status of the Allonton School had been raised to that of a. main school would not better tho position in tho least. The committee was negotiating for an. additional section of land, but it was unanimous that the remodelling of the school should bo gone ahead with at once and not hold up ponding the result of these negotiations. Tho chairman said the board would have pushed the matter, but ho bad been asked’to take no steps pending tiie result of the negotiations for tho extra section of land. The board’ fully sympathised with tho deputation, but considered that f,be matter was-wrapped up with tho question of securing the additional land. After the deputation had retired the chairman strongly supported the request of the deputation. Last year, he said, thoro wore from 150 to 100 children crowded into two small rooms and tho air was “ poisonous.” He disagreed entirely with the board’s inspectors, who expressed the opinion that tho raising of the status of the AJlenton School would materially improve the position. After further brief discussion if was decided to again urge the Department to proceed at once with tho remodelling of the school and the building of an additional room; also to state its intent ion as regards the purchase of iho additional land asked for by ike com.mil tee.