MANGAPAPA SCHOOL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2074, 28 December 1907, Page 1

MANGAPAPA SCHOOL.

AN INDIGNATION MEETING

Tlio mooting called -to protest against the treatment the Mangapapa School has (received in the matter of accommodation was held at the school last evening;' when Mr. M. McLeod presided over a representative attendance of about 23, including two ladies. The Chairman apologised for the absence of Mr. Lissant Clayton.

The chairman said the meeting was called to express the indignation felt at the treatment the school had received from tho Education Department. The committee was fighting tho Government for something they should not have to do. They should not have to fight for a room for children. It was tho Inspector’s duty to report to the Board os to accommodation ns well as other matters, and on their reports additions were made. Three years ago the Inspector reported on this school, and tho Board applied to tho Department, hut tho Department replied that there was more floor space in tho Gisborne and Ivaiti schools and refused the application. He was advised to see tjie member for tho district nearly two years ago, and ho was told that if the tetfehidSbwrote down their requirements—ho spoke in that melodious way lie was so capable of doing—that ho would urge tlio matter on tho Minister of Education. A letter was received from the Department on loth November, 1906, stating that tho Department could only deal with tho Board. This went on for six months, when a large deputation, accompanied by two members of the Board, waited on him, and tho fact that this, tho main room, which was intended for 50 children, had had to hoild as many as 99, was brought under his notice. The desks were to hold five, but they were made to accommodate from 6 to 8. The Minister again promised to interview his colleague, and he had not the slightest doubt but that they would get their additions. The Board sent in an application on this, and a reply camo back that .there was still room at the Gisborne and Ivaiti schools. At Wellington, tho chairman saw the Hoii. Mr. Fowlds, and pointed out tho fafllacy of talk-

ing about floor space in tho Ivaiti school. He also said that they could not legally turn a child away from a school. Mr. Powlds admitted that he did not see the position before, and promised that if the' information was correct, they would get the additions. In any case, ho would visit Gisborne. Tho chairman forgot that Mr. Fowlds was a politician, and did not- mean it, or he would have seen the Premier. Tho Minister for Education never made a sign. Ho went to Auckland via tho West Coast after tho session, and, went everywhere where he had a good Liberal supporter and “smoodged” them af.l over. After all that was over, he, left Auckland, zig-zagged through Taranaki, and got to Wellington. Last Saturday he again went to Auckland via

the West Coast, and he was again “smoodging” people. Under date October 15th, the secretary of the Hawke’s Bay Education Board wrote as follows: "Additions to school.—l have to inform you that the Education Department has notified that tho Minister will, after tho session, personally inquire into tho application for an addition to your schoofl. —G. Crawsliaw, secretary.” Ho would rather work in a' ditch than wait about at Wellington, but he had worked as he knew there was a teacher absolutely destroying her health. She had given every satisfaction, and tho Inspector said that her class had done very well considering tho overcrowding. Mr. Eowlds put- liis arm on the speaker’s shoulder, and he left persuaded. Ho hoped it would never again be his lot to go to the representative of tlio district. The Government had discredited their. Inspectors, believing they were not telling the truth, or they willingly allowed tho disgraceful condition to go on. Even a backblocks settler in America

had more floor space. He noticed that the Government coidd give 464000; towards a southern, expedition , but they could not- spare a few hundreds for tho purpose. Tlio present state was scandalous. He stated that when- the school opened on February 3rd it would bo closed for a fortnight, and they won?d inform

the Education Board and let them find a remedy. It was disgraceful that tlioir chosen representative, a Minister of longer standing than the Hon. Mr. Fowlds, had not sufficient influence with his colleague to got the work clone. They only wanted what the Hon. Mr. Carroll admitted was a matter of justice. (Applause.) Mr. Grundy said they had had to ta'ko steps which made them look like a growling committee, but no one could have a reasonable doubt of their claim to tako tho position they had done. No appeal! to their own member or the Hon. Mr. Fowlds would have any effect, and as a last resort they proposed urging tho matter upon tho Premier. Ho moved as follows“ That this meeting of Mangapapa householders strongly

protests against tnc scandalous delay on the part of the Education Department in the matter of providing more adequate school accommodation for this district which is most urgently required ; and that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Premier.” Mr. Kobb seconded. Mr. W. ,L. Rees said that it was imperative that the wants of the children should be attended to. Proper instruction could not bo given while. the accommodation was so bad. Tho State compelled parents to send their children to school. The Government —a mere shadow, in many cases a farce—was supposed to represent the people, and no more serious duty could be undertaken by any Government than the education of the young. To them we looked to carry on our traditions. If any Minister or Cabinet disregarded the general interests of education or the immediate requirements of any particular locality, they deserved condemnation. (Applause.) It would bo to the detriment of the children they had to take care of if these responsibilities were disregarded. He did not think the wording of the resolution was too strong—it was not strong enough. It did not completely fill up tlie bill. "What right had the Department to box up 100 in a 1 room for 50? There would be all

tho risks of disease, and if this happened owing to overcrowding it must bo . laid at tho door of tho Minister of Education. It would ho wise to supplement the resolution by action — a short statement to be drawn up and published, and sent to every member of the Ministry and every newspaper in tho country. That would wake them up, and they would have tlio school in a very short time. (Applause.) Mr. Cole, tho headmaster, stated that in each of tho rooms there were 80 children. For teaching 99, Miss Morgan had to relinquish her position. He hud had to allow the children to go out, as they were so fagged. They could not .be taught for mdire than half an hour at a stretch, ami it was not fair to them. After March the windows would have to be closed, and the atmosphere would be vitiated. Oil 3rd February there •would be three teachers, if the teachers’ health suffered the children’s would do so to a greater extent. It rested with the parents to mako a strong protest. Mr. Carroll said lie understood perfectly the conditions obtaining, 'but nothing had been done. Mr. Robb spoke in support of the motion. .One of his daughters had to' visit a doctor, and lie felt sure that it was owing to the lack of accommodation. A strong protest should be entered.

Mr. Walter Clayton said ho was very much surprised to know that 90 children were put in tho room. In a boarding-house no more than 20 would bo allowed. He would.not be allowed to have more thin six workmen in such space. If Mr. Fowlds, instead of Mr. Millar, was the Labor Minister, lie could have many more in a room, and 500 cubic feet had to be allowed for one person to sleep in.

The Chairman said the floor space in each room allowed for 52) children. Mr. Colo said that tho children got half the air space allowed by the Department; the children in tho room had only about 60 cubic feet. •Mr. AY. Lissant Clayton, who entered at this stage, regretted his lateness, and explained that he was unavoidably detained. Ho was at tho deputation when the Minister promised that the matter would be attended to. The member for the district was not senior in the Cabinet, but ho was a long way senior to Mr’ Fowlds, and his influence seemed very ineffective. .Not only was the Minister ignoring his promise, but he was ignoring the desires of the householders, and he had not even intimated to the chairman that he was prevented from being present, and lie certainly thought it was a matter for indignation. There was no more serious tiling than tho upbringing of our children, and our young n ition should not only be mentally fit, but physically fit also, and they would well maintain the prestige of the Empire. It was essential that this training should take place under jiroper conditions and conditions beneficial to their health. He had much pleasure in supporting the resolution. (Applause.) Tlio motion was put and carried by acclamation. There was a suggestion of waiting upon Sir Joseph AVard if the Squadron stopped here. A committee, consisting of Messrs. AA T . L. Rees, AA T . L. Clayton, AA'alter Clayton, Grundy, Robb, and the Hon. Captain Tucker, was set up to act in tho matter. The committee meets at 10 o’clock this morning. ■