"I DEMAND A SCHOOL"

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2848, 12 August 1916, Page 10

"I DEMAND A SCHOOL"

FARMER BEARDS AN EDUCATION BOARD.

Members of the Hawke's Bay Education Board wore considerably startled if not impressed by tho rugged eloquence of a back-country settler from tho AVaikaremoana district,• when ho appeared before thorn at Thursday's board meeting to ask, insist, and demand that a school be established in his district, reports the "Hawke's Bay Herald." The/board was tranquilly pursuing its way through the business of the meeting when the farmer appeared before them. He compelled attention from tha outset. In 'a voice charged with suppressed feeling he told the board that he was there to state his case for' tho setting up of a school in his district. Ho was the father of eight children, and their education had cost him during the past several months £70. Rather than that their education be neglected lie had sent them seven miles to a distant school. The journey there in tho . winter was a dangerous one through bleak cold country. "Some weeks ago," continued tho speaker, growing more worked up as he-proceed-ed, "m.v three gills were all but drowned when fording a. stream oil their way from school. Thanks be to heaven I saved them from death.

"Had they been drowned," continued the speaker, shoutim; at the assembled members, "I would have come here on a different mission. I would have brought an axe with me." Here the speaker ceased for a moment as lis trembled with passion. "Wo have no luxuries out. there," he continued more quietly, "thern are no picture entertainments for the chilaVi't. but. I.would be content if my children had the beucjlfc of education. I have offered to subsidise £ for £ any contributions the other settlers might giro for a now school, but it's been no good.

"For five rears I have fought for a wliooly" continued the speaker again, raising lib voice. "I want a school, I demand a school I" The last few words were literally thundered at the af/c-mbled board members. The farmer stamped his foot- while the assembled membsts maintained an, av.-ed Eilonce.

"The Government sijvumders thousands of pounds," continued the speaker signify '"but will they put a hospital within our resell there. My wife would have died in m? house were it not that I was fortunate in securing a. doctor. Yes, they say put the men on the land. TRen they let us starve there, get bogged there, lot us die there," and heip 'the speaker paused again in his fury. Board members were tongue tied, and maintained an embarrassed silence. "I am sorry if I have spoken roughly," concluded tho farmer at length, "but you see I can't send my children away to town here. I love my children. I want ray children." The farmer went to leave the room when tho board was heard for the first, tune. The chairman exclaimed that it would do what it couitl, while another member admitted that it was a treat to hear a matter dealt with so forcibly. Tha era tor from tho back country muttered his thanks and left the rooni. Members were plainly impressed with the force of words. One member remarked that ho had been quito affected. Without 'any further discussion it was decided to take immediate steps to plaw* the matter before tho Government.

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