Beef Creek and Kangiwahia Schools.

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 290, 12 June 1895, Page 2

Beef Creek and Kangiwahia Schools.

At the last meeting of the Educition Board Mr J. W. Baker reported : "la accordance with the wish of the Board I visited Pemberton on the day appointed for the meeting in the sehoolhouso (Tuesday, 2lst May), and found some forty people assembled. Mr James Stent, who presided, having introduced me, I addressed those present The representatives of Beef Creek were the first to state their opinions, Mr Moore reading his remarks, and, on conclusion, handing in a list of chil Jren attending the Beef Creek school, aud statiDg the resolve of the Beef Creek settlers not to send their children to the Pemberton school This was backed up by remarks from Mr McKinnon, who was very excited and who seemed animated with many grievances of a private and personal nature. After this, Mr Moffatt, representing Rangawahia, addressed the meeting in anything but ;i conciliatory manner. Then Mr D. McGregor, the recently elected Chairman of Committee, managed to make a few remarks amidst the stormy interruptions of the Beef Creek and Raagiwahia people, but he was un able to proceed. On Mr Pemberton rising there was so much noise and so many interruptions that I thought at one time blows would have been struck. Mr Peraberton had to sit down. One or two others tried to speak, but, in spite of the efforts of the Chairman aud myself no one could be heard, and so we ended a meeting that only imbued one with the idea that education was much needed in the district, but without leading up to any idea how it is to bs farthered just at present. The school built at Beef Creek, about two and a-half miles from Pemberton school, is a small building 20ft long and 12ft wide, with a fireplace at one end, a desk round the wall on the other three sides. I found the settlement, unfortunately, one in which there is much division of opinion and bitterness of feeling all round, and not on the school question particularly. The only way to meet the requirements of the district would be to aid schools at Beef Creek and Rangawahia for the present, which, of course, will only keep up and foster the ill-feeling of the people in these localities, or to leave things alone for a time in the belief that regard for their children's welfare will induce, perhaps not friendliness, but a combination to improve matters for the benefit of the children in the settlement." The report was adopted, and after some discussion it was decided that the settlers at Beef Creek and Rangawahia respectively be granted the capitation for aided schools, viz., £5 per head for a male teacher, or £3 15s per head for a female teacher, to be approved by the Board. The Inspector's report on the building now used as a temporary school at Beef Creek referred in very condemnatory terms to its suitability for such a purpose. It was generally understood that if the residents put up a building, according to the Board's plans, and secure the land the cost will be refunded . — Standard.