A CROWDED SCHOOL.

Wairarapa Age, 6 May 1924, Page 2

A CROWDED SCHOOL.

AT MASTERTON WEST. | INFANT SCHOOL ASKED FOE. The congested accommodation at the Masterton West School was again brought to light at the householders’ meetl.’g :.>t night, when the chairman | . z'. Donald) declared that the posi- | t ion could not be tolerated any longer. I He censidered that another resolution I should be sent to the Department. , The last annual meeting of householdi ers hue decided that the whole of the i infant room should be given to the inI tr.ats. This, however, had proved imructicable, the first standard having i i:> be taken in. Under present cxi- | umstauces three teachers had to oo ‘ one room, another class being | taken in the corridor. Concentration ■ was hopeless and progress severely re- ' larded in consequence. The chairman j favoured an infant department independent of the school. The agitation j should be kept up till notice was taken ! and something done. The headmaster had to teach in the cold corridor for 2J hours each morning and 1J hours ■ each afternoon. The Board had asked the committee to deplete the roll which had been done. Many pupils ' had been refused, but none of these were residing in the school district. The secretary apologised for the ab- ' sence of Mr W. T. Grundy (Education : Board), who had intimated that re- ' garding the extension of the school he I was still of the same opinion as last ■ year, that he was opposed to the proposal while there wa s still room at other schools in tho town. Until these wore filled up he would not change his mind. . The headmaster (Mr H. Miller) made a lengthy statement showing i how children had to be turned awny. Ho suggested that a deputation wait ; on the Minister of Education when he : visits Masterton shortly. I Mr F. W. Pointon said the position I was worse than last year. The Board : realised that the school was up to date and had been made so by the parents iof the pupils. No doubt the Board would be prepared to let the school , battle for itself. It was not fair to the headmaster and teachers that pupils should have to be turned away to . the benefit of other schools. He moved ( ‘ That this meeting of householders , of the Masterton West School district, ' realising the inadequacy of the aecommodation provided for the pupils, and in particular the Infant depart- ; ment, requests the Education Board ] to petition the Department of Education urgently to consider the erection of a separate primary department, or, I as an alternative, the addition of two I j class rooms to the present building.” j Mr J. Renner seconded the proposal, ’ 1 which was carried unanimously. i '