CORRESPONDENCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 April 1918, Page 1

CORRESPONDENCE.

OPR educational system. (To tho Editor). Sir,—A ease in point flowing the evils of our hide-bound Conservative system of centralisation came to light at the public meeting at the Arahura to urge upon the Government the repairing of Ilungerford’s bridge. The ease was that of Mr Smith, who complained that owing to t]ie gap in the bridge he could not send his children to school. The distance of four miles round by the lower bridge, making five miles in all, was too much for little children twice a day, consequently his children lost the advantage of education. In addition to the distance, there is a locomotive running over the lo-

bridge, making it dangerous for little children to pass over, and a- mother’s anxiety would never ho ended till her children were home. /

Had Westland had its Education Board as heretofore, some members reading the report of the public meet-' ing would have noted the complaint of Mr Smith arid induced his Board to pin the Government to their promise to the member for Westland when he enlisted for the front, and to at once repair the gap in the bridge, thereby serving the interests of both settlement and education. It- is true we have Mr Grim mo ■ 1 on the Canterbury Education Bo..;-h, but lie is also a member of tlie County Council, and ho did not put in an appearance at the public meeting in support. of the spttlers, nor have we heard a word of his bringing the matter before bis Board. Truly we are being Conservative ridden.—l am, etc,, — H. A. BATJCKK. Humphreys, 7/4/1918.

[The Minister of Public Works lias had a report supplied him which endorsed the request of tlie public meeting. and as now promised to have ti wire bridge access afforded for foot-passeng-ers and cyclists by way of Hungerfird’s bridge Tlie restoration of tho bridge for general traffic is deferred till after tho war owing to tho, want of funds.—Ed. G.l