“SMACK IN THE FACE”

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20362, 20 July 1934, Page 8

“SMACK IN THE FACE”

West Christchurch School Position. DIRECTOR'S REPLY. “ The department has practically given us a smack in the face,” said Mr L. Wild, when it was reported at a meeting of the Canterbury" Education Board this morning that the Director of Education (Mr N. T. Lamfcourne) had declined to confer with the committee of the board on the question of the status of West Christchurch District High School. “ If we cannot get the director we will have to go and see the Minister,” said Mr C. S. Thompson. The director wrote acknowledging the invitation of the board to a conference “ to see whether there is any way of placing the West Christchurch District High School on a footing comparable with other post-primary schools in the Dominion.” “ Fully Conversant.” In reply Mr Lambourne stated: “I have to say r that I think I am alread3 r fully conversant with the position and with the board’s views on the matter. I do not think that a conference is necessary.” The board had asked for a conference as regards alleged anomalies in teachers’ salaries, incidental allowances and equipment. At the meeting this morning a letter was received from the chairmen of the West Christchurch and Addington School Committees pointing out that “ the educational needs of the children of the city can be best served by: (1) The establishment of West Christchurch District High School as a fullyequipped secondary school; and (2) the establishment of a large, wellequipped intermediate school at Milne Street, and failing the immediate provision of the educational facilities enumerated, the combined committees of West Christchurch and Addington press for the restoration of Forms land 11. to the Addington School.” They had asked the Director of Education to co-operate with them, said Mr; Wild, and he had answered that he was fully conversant with the position. He did not wish to discuss it with them. There was no case at present for building at Milne Street. Addington was dissatisfied because West Christchurch was not 3 r et a complete intermediate school. The pupils had to go elsewhere for woodwork and domestic training.

Mr Thompson moved that the committee already set up should take action. “ Sand in the Wheels.” Mr W. A. Banks objected to any action being taken at present. It was, he said, throwing sand in the wheels. Mr Lambourne was doing his best to assist them, and had promised to meet the needs of the West Christchurch Intermediate School as soon as possible. Now they were setting up a committee to thwart the director, and to dictate to him before he had had time to make h ’ decision as to what should be done. After further discussion, the question was left in the hands of the chairman (Nr W. P. Spencer) to convene a meeting of the committee to consider the matter as soon as possible.