Further reference to the alterations in the Rushden Elementary Schools re-zoning scheme (details of which have already appeared in the “Echo and Argus,” was made at the monthly meeting of the Rushden School Managers on Tuesday.

The alterations are to the Infants’ Schools zones, and the proposals in this connection were that the arrangements which have always existed should continue in force.

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The members present were: Mr. L. Baxter (in the chair), Mr. W. E. Capon (vice-chairman), Rev. C. J. Keeler, Mr. F. Green, Mr. A. Allebone, C.C., Mr. E. A. Sugars, Mr. C. Claridge, Mr. F. Corby, Mr. E. Freeman, and the Clerk, Mr. J. Ferris.

In connection with the re-zoning of the Infants’ Schools areas of the town (reference to the alterations to which was made in the “Echo and Argus” last week), the Clerk reported that on Wednesday week a meeting took place between Mr. Prothero (District Chief Attendance Officer), Mr. L. Perkins, the infant head teachers, and himself. Zones were fixed and satisfaction was expressed at the suggested arrangements, which were before the County Education Committee at their meeting on Saturday. He had received no intimation, however, as to whether the amended proposals were approved or not. Briefly the proposals were that the Infant Schools zones should be as hitherto, so that there would be no alteration, and young children would not have long distances to travel.

Mr. Claridge said he thought it was a good thing to have the teachers in consultation as they came into contact with the children.

The Clerk said the new arrangements would make a little difference. Alfred-street would have 145 instead of 170, and it would make a few vacant places for children from the Westfield Avenue area. The numbers would be the same at Moor-road, and Newton-road would be pretty full, but at South End the numbers would be increased from 90 to 104.

Mr. Capon: It does not follow there will be 104 on the register?

The Clerk; No.

The Clerk reported that the Education Committee had approved the recommendation of the Managers that Miss Courtney, of Belfast, be appointed to the vacancy at Alfred-street Schools, and that she commenced duties on December 1st.

A letter was received from Miss Peacock, resigning her position as certificated assistant mistress at Moor-road School, having been appointed to a position at Irchester, as from December 31st.

In reply to Mr. Corby, the Clerk said she would have a similar position at Irchester, but that it would be more convenient for her in the matter of getting home. She had been at Moor-road since September, 1926.

The Managers accepted the resignation and agreed to give a testimonial of satisfactory service.

Mr. Claridge said he believed it was as well to have a change sometimes, and he thought Miss Peacock was of that opinion as well.

School Renovations

The County Education Committee requested the Managers to submit recommendations for repairs and improvements to the schools to be included in the estimates for 1932.

Mr. Sugars: Can we recommend anything at South End? There is plenty wants putting in order there; the interior, especially, should be done.

The chairman agreed that it was very bad.

Mr. Capon referred to the question of the installation of central heating at the school.

Mr. Claridge: I think it should be pulled down!

The Chairman: It will probably fall down.

Mr. Green said exterior renovations were also necessary.

Mr. Keeler said he thought they should urge the necessity of having central heating installed.

Mr. Allebone: Mr. Horrell has told us that already more has been spent at South End than there should have been. The place wants re-building. There would be no time to install central heating before next August holidays in any case, but we can recommend it now and keep pressing the matter.

Mr. Claridge agreed that they should emphasise the importance of the matter.

The chairman remarked that the stoves wanted a lot more fuel than a furnace would do, and it took considerable time to clean them out. If the stoves wanted renovating surely it would be cheaper to put in central heating straight away?

Mr. Keeler: I went in one day and the wind was in the right direction to fill the room with fumes from the stoves. It was very bad for the children who had to be in there all day.

The Managers agreed to make recommendations for central heating and renovations at South End Schools.

Newton Road School

Mr. Sugars asked if there was anything they could recommend at Newton-road. It was very evident that the County would not go on with the remodelling.

Mr. Green said the interior was done last year.

Mr. Sugars: Just washed down.

Mr. Capon said the installation of electric light would be desirable.

Mr. Claridge: If we stick to the recommendations for South End we shall get a better chance.

No recommendations were made in connection with Newton-road.

Mr. Freeman asked the chairman if his attention had been called to the bad condition of part of the playground at Moor-road School, where there was a large hole loosely filled with big stones.

The Managers instructed the chairman to have the necessary work done.

A letter was received from Miss Miller (Moor-road Infants’ School), stating that she had had five children in Standard 1 for twelve months and now they were good enough to go to the Mixed Department. All resided in the district allotted to Alfred-street School, and Miss Miller asked the Managers to make arrangements for their admission there. It was not fair to the children to keep them down.

The Clerk said Mr. Rial informed him that he could not take any in, but surely he could get them in somewhere.

Several Managers expressed the opinion that it was not right to keep the children back, and it was agreed, on the motion of Mr. Capon to leave the matter in the hands of the chairman and the Clerk.

In connection with the Visitors’ Reports, Mr. Corby referred to the absence through illness, of Mr. Jones, Headmaster of South End Schools.

It was stated that the Schools had not been free from infectious disease for the past nine months.

Mr. Claridge said that at Moor-road 62 were away out of 172, and of these 59 had chicken-pox, which necessitated an absence of three weeks. In one class 23 were present out of 42, and in another 17 out of 42.

At the conclusion of the business, the chairman extended the season’s greeting to the members.

Sub-Committee’s Resolution
Rushden Housing Facts

Further to the resolution passed by the Rushden District Sub-Committee at a recent special meeting, urging the necessity of the provision of an Infants’ School on the Irchester-road Estate, the Committee support their resolution by the following facts: “The Rushden Urban District Council has purchased a housing estate approximately 70 acres in extent, for the erection of dwelling houses on a twelve to one acre scale.

“Up to the present 335 houses have been erected and are in occupation. Plans for an additional 80 houses are in contemplation. It is not yet known how much more of the remaining area will be built upon, but it is assumed that the whole will eventually be utilised for this purpose.

“In the 335 houses already in occupation there are 625 children under the age of 14 years, approximately two-thirds of which are infants, inclusive of a number of children who, although now under school age, will have attained that age by the time a new school has been erected and ready for occupation.

“The policy adopted by the housing committee of the Rushden Urban Council has been that in the selection of tenants for the new houses preference must always be given to people with young families. From this it will be observed that the number of children residing in the new estate will progressively increase.”