Request Refused.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20603, 2 May 1935, Page 8

Request Refused.

Children May Attend Fendalton School. ~|~}I£CLARING that he could not see his way clear to prevent children from outside districts attending the Fendalton School unless it was proved that Fendalton was overcrowded—and it was not so at present—the Minister of Education (the Hon S. G. Smith) refused the request of a deputation representing the schools affected which waited on him yesterday afternoon. Mr H. S. S. Kyle, M.P. for the district, introduced the deputation and explained its object. Mr C. S. Thompson, chairman of the Canterbury Education Board, said that two years ago the board noticed that Fendalton was taking pupils from other schools and applying for more accomodation. This was affecting the grades at adjacent schools. The board could not say to Fendalton that they must limit attendance and not overcrowd, as there had not been overcrowding. As soon as the board had definite instructions it would act. Mr P. G. Stringer, chairman of the Wharenui School Committee, said that the schools were affected through capitation, grading and staffing. These schools had great difficulty in maintaining grades. The board had been dilatory in action, and the schools and their committees -were at present placed in an invidious position Head masters, he declared, should not permit the enrolment of children from outside districts. The deputation had waited on the Minister to ask him to check the practice at once. “ Worst Case.” Mr G. P. Purnell, chairman of the Elmwood School Committee, said his school had been the most affected, with about sixty-seven children away at Fendalton. The school had lost a point in grading and had lost, as a result, a very efficient head master. The attraction to Fendalton was, he considered, that it was an open-air school, and its head master gave it good publicity. Part of Elmwood was obsolete, and should be pulled down. The speaker suggested that, instead of stopping the transfer of pupils—which might inflict hardship in some cases—capitation should be withheld from Fendalton. There was no scholastic advantage in going to Fendalton. Mr E. Evans (Upper Riccarton) said that about fifteen pupils from his district were attending Fendalton. Mr Thompson said it was estimated that 162 pupils went from outside districts to Fendalton. . . . , The Minister, after consulting figures, said that it could not be said that the school was overcrowded. Mr Thompson: Provision has to be made for next vear and the next term. The Minister: Fendalton children must have first say. The question is in the hands of the board, which can act to stop evercrowding; but there is no case of overcrowding. This is a matter for local authorities. Mr Thompson pointed out . that, wniie the board was in sympathy with the committees. it could do nothing unless Fendalton became overcrowded. “I think vou’ll have to wait and see how things develop.” the Minister concluded.