PROPOSED SCHOOL FOR PUHA.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2183, 12 September 1907, Page 2

PROPOSED SCHOOL FOR PUHA.

REPORT TO EDUCATION BOARD

The Hawke’s Bay Education Board received the following report from Air AV. Alorgan, at Alonday’s meeting:— “Re application for a school ai Puha, —I have the honor to report that in acordance with the wishes oi the Board I paid a visit on September 7th to Te Ivaraka and had an interview with the members of the School Committee and residents from Puha. The petitioners claim that the means of access to Te Karaka are not such as to be safe for children to travel to school. One road which crosses two rivers is dangerous for young children at any time, and impassable in flood, and the other road called the cliff road is, and has been, impassable all the winter owing to slips, etc. This leaves tho railway as the only other means of conveyance, and children coming by this route do not arrive at Te Ivaraka station until 9.35, and then have to walk about 400 yards to the school, which means that they arrive 10 or 15 minutes late for the opening of the school. After the school closes in the afternoon, there is no train leaving for Puha until 5.30, which means that it is dark when they reach Puha and then they have to walk half a mile or more to their respective homes. Under these conditions the residents say they cannot afford to risk sending their children to school at To Karaka, and as’k that a school be erected at Puha. The Committe claim (1) that a movement is on foot to have the river bridged, hut could not say when, if ever, such will be accomplished. (2) that when another section of the railway is opened to the AVilson crossing an alteration will bo made in the time-table, but there is nothing to show when this is likely to be, or whether the train would suit any better then than now. (3), that there is a new road in course of construction by which pupils will be able to travel from Puha. The work on this road has had to be suspended owing to the bad weather, but it "will probably be ready for traffic by the beginning of 1908.

“The Committee also_ questioned the accuracy of the petition which was sent to them by the Board. They claim that in the petition parents were represented as having more children of school age than they really have: also some of those who signed have since left the district. Air. Spencer explained that there was a later petition sent to the Board on a printed form supplied by the secretary, and it was then decided to adjourn the discussion until the later petition had been considered by the Board. “I pointed out that it would be better, if possible to have the children conveyed to Te Karaka. and suggested that the petitioners should consider whether arrangements could be made to have this done. ..‘‘The number of Puha children at present attending Te Karaka is about 25. The accommodation at To Karaka is quite sufficient for all the children, including those from Puha.” The Board decided that two inspectors, in company with trwo North Ward members, should pay a visit to Te Karaka at an early date, and further discuss the position with the committee and. the Puha residents. Due notice of the date of the visit will be given.