MANAIA.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 13 October 1924, Page 2

MANAIA.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) Iv AUPOK ON UI SEASIDE CLUB. Several working bees have been held lately for the improvement of the beach. The swing bridge across the river is now finished, which will be a decided convenience to all who visit the beach in crossing from one side to the other. The dressing sheds are in erection now and the committee will be very pleased to have the services of the young people who will use these 6heds to come and give their assistance in building them. It is a. shame to see so many young fellows doing nothing and leaving the work to the old hands, wlm will not use the sheds. It is now up to all to come along and finish this important work immediately. Miss Lewin, the secretary, will let all know when the nest working bee takes place by enquiring of. her. HIGH SCHOOL URGED. A. public meeting called by the chairman of the Alanaia Town Board (Mr L G. Nielson) for the establishment of a. high school in Manaia was held in the Town Hall on Friday night The citizens of Alanaia were conspicuous by their absence, only eight being present. The meetiim was not advertised enough, hence the townspeople did not know. The Manaia State school committee were present, and also a few residents of the district. The chairman, in his opening remarks, made reference to the 'great importance of haviiig a. district high school in Manaia for the convenience of all in the surrounding district, Manaia being a main centre for same! He moved the following resolution: “That this public meeting of citizens of Manaia and the surrounding districts calls upon the Minister of Education to establish a district high school at Manaia without delay instead of conveying pupils into Hawera, inasmuch as there are more pupils than the department’s requisite minimum already guaranteed.” The resolution, was seconded bv Air. E. Long. Air. W. Snowden moved as an amendment that the matter he left in the hands of the school committee, and in speaking of a high school, stated that the school committee are very much alive in having the best conditions for the children’s secondary education. The amendment was: “That this meeting favours the matter of high, school education being left entirely in the hands of school committee and, further, wishes to confirm and support the action they have taken up to the present, and wishes a vote of confidence in the school committee.” > " . Mr. Garni in, who seconded the amendment, endorsed wliat the previous speaker had stated in reference to high school education, and said the headmaster, who was the prime mover in a high school for Manaia, and committees went to the trouble of finding out through the district how many children would attend the high school. Thirty-three names were received, which was very satisfactory, whereas twelve would be sufficient to open the school. Air. Long spoke, saying that he thought, when he seconded the resolution, that the callers of this meeting had conferred with the school committee. Air. Lakers (chairman of the school committee) gave a history of all the details in connection with the establishment of a high school when the first meeting was called, and stated for those who could not afford it said that a high, school in Manaia would be no good to them, hut if established they would help and send their children. “I gave the Technical School Committee, Hawera, to understand that the children from Alanaia and district must he conveyed to Hawera free, and 'also they must he in time for school, and under these conditions I will give mv support to. convey the ehildi’en to Hawera, where the children will have far better conditions for secondary education.” Air. A. G. Bennett spoke in reference ' to the welfare of the district, and said that he was always interested in educational matters. It would he a fatal day for Manaia and district if they did not get the school at Manaia. He pointed out the grave danger of sending children to Hawera in aill kinds of t . t weather conditions’, also in roaming about the streets waiting for the bus to take them home, whereas the children could go straight home after school at Manaia. He said that the citizens of Manaia did not find any fault with the school committee. If there was a more progressive spirit with the people of Alanaia, it would be a far better town than it was to-day. He referred to the fine spirit of the chairman of the Town Board for the sake of the town and district to establish a high school at Manaia, and the sooner this was done the better. Air. Nairn, headmaster of the Alanaia State school, stated that he and Mr. Dakers went to Hawera. and stated that in the event of not being successful in securing a high school in Alanaia the committee at Hawera should convey the children to the high school at Hawera free. Air. Dakers said that if they could not get. the children conveyed free they would go straight out for a high school at Alanaia. The Rev. Air. Smith spoke of the resolution that appeared in the paper on establishing a high school in Manaia, and said: “1 ,nn quite sure if the parents want the best for their children they will not favour a high school in Alanaia. One teacher cannot do justice to the work. In Hawera they can give you one dozen teachers to impart their knowledge, and each to. their respective departments. Aly advice is that if the parents of this .district want the best for their children, then, convey them to Hawera. ’ ’ ' Air. A. Lees, member of the Education Board, stated that being interested in education for the children, he could only put the board’s position. When the • petition was produced it contained thirty-three names. The board approved of the establishment of a high school. The board as a whole are in complete sympathy with the country people for a secondary education. I understand that they have made application to the department at Wellington to. convey the children to Hawera. The children should ho taken in free and run to school