MANGAPAPA SCHOOL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2057, 7 December 1907, Page 2

MANGAPAPA SCHOOL.

UNBEARABLE OVERCROWDING.

MINISTER OF EDUCATION TO VISIT THE SCHOOL. 'The overcrowded condition of the Mangapapa school has frequently been brought before the public, but nothing lias so far been done to remedy ia statq of affairs which verges on ,a public scandal. The school is called upon to accommodate about half again as afiany children as there is room for, and .with the hot weather which has been prevailing lately the position lias become unbearable. Miss {Morgan, the mistress of the school, has handed in her resignation, and it is understood that she took tllis step because of illhealth, induced iby having to (work long hours in the close .atmosphere of the school. -

A promise had previously been given bv the (Minister of Education that ho would visit the school after tlie close of 'the session, but it was thought that tile state of 'affairs called for instant remedy, and for the purpose of seeing exactly how matters stood the County Chairman (the Hon. Ca.pt. Tucker), the Mayor (Mr. J. Townley), Mr. W. Morgan (member of the Education Board), ami Mr. M. McLeod (chairman of the •School Committee), yesterday paid a visit of inspection to the school during school hours.

As .a result of the inspection the following telegram was despatched to the Hon. .1. Carroll:—“Have inspected school accommodation at Mangapapa, and found it disgracefully inadequate. 'There is floor space for 101. There are oil tho roll 106. There was an actual attendance of 150. (In present hot and dry weather, this is dangerous to health. Me consider tho matter very urgent. Would vop he so good as to represent to the 'Minister the immediate need of .providing adeuuate accommodation.—J. Townley, W. :H. Tucker.” During the evening the Mayor received the following reply:—“Re Mangapapa school: I he Minister for Education has promised mo that, he will visit Gisborne, when he will inspect tho school himself and attend to tho matter.”