EDUCATION IN ELLESMERE.

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

EDUCATION IN ELLESMERE.

LEESTON’S CLAIMS. DEPUTATION TO EDUCATION BOARD. Tho claims of Leeston as tho natural centre for secondary education in tho Ellesmere Comity were pressed upon the Canterbury Education Board at its meeting to-day by a largo deputation from tho 'Leeston Progress League. It was stated by members of the deputation that Leeston was now a much bigger place than Soutubridgo, and was rapidly growing, whereas Southbridgo was declining. Leeston was the commercial centre for tho Ellesmere Comity. Of an average of twenty-two pupils attending tho Southbridgo District High School, twelve passed through Leeston on their way to Southbridgo. The schools in the Ellesmere County wore all only about five miles distant from Leeston. _ The schools which would bo “tapped” by a secondary school at Leeston had a roll number of 325, whereas tho Southbridgo schopls had a roll number of 150. There was ample accpnimodation in the present school building at Leeston for secondary classes. It was stated by one member of tho deputation, a doctor, that he had traced much of the .illness among tho children attending school at Southbridgo to tho water which they drank in Southbridge. ‘Tho Board decided to refer the matter to the Appointments Committee and Chief Inspector, an amendment by Air Pcverill that before tho Appointments Committee dealt with the matter it should bo referred to the Southbridgo School Committee, being lost. A further amendment by Mr Peverill, that the matter bo dealt with by the Iward at its next meeting, was also lost.