A SCHOOL STRIKE

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 231, 24 June 1920, Page 6

A SCHOOL STRIKE

NO PUPILS ATTEND" AT MAKTINBOHOUGH. When scholars strike against cold treatment in a'temporary school it must bo simply taken as a sign of the times. At yesterday's meeting of the Education Board the news that the school children at Martinborough had struck (as conveyed in \ Press message) was confirmed, and the assistant-secretary (Mr.'Hylton) • explained that there had been an unfortunate delay in the delivery of • certain ,oil heaters—for which the town, including the second-hand shops, had to be scoured. These had been gathered together, and a carrying company had been, called in to dispatch 'them forthwith. As they, had not arrived at their destination trouble had occurred, and a sheaf of telegrams had that morning arrived from Martinborough. Ho read a selection of .them as follows— "Will board pay, medical expenses school children sickness caused through cold rooms?" "Health.my five children seriously affected present conditions, after driving five miles." "Will withdraw _ three children if conditions not remedied." "Half-ton freener required local school ■Martinborough," ' "Considering action through : Society for Protection of Children if conditions not remedied!" •' "Continued absence all children contemplated by parents." Chairman School Committee. . - "Hearty support school' strike." —M. M'Leod, ■ - ■ ■ The secretary explained that the board had forwarded the following letter to the-carrying company concerned yesterday morning:—"Heaters for Martinborough School—At the beginning of the current month the board entrusted to your care six heaters for the Martinborough school. Definite instructions V-ere given that the heaters were to be forwarded at tho earliest possible moment. It has just come under tho notice of the board that you failed to dispatch the heaters to their destination, and the absence of heating appliances in the school has: resulted in the-parents keeping their children away. As your neglect is a very serious matter, I shall be pleated to know without delay what-explanation,, if any, your firm has to.offer. On receipt of this the board will consider' whether or not it will take any further action." Mr. G. L. Stewart, in reply to a question about the heaters, said' they were probably in Martinborough by then.