ISLAND SCHOLARS

Hokitika Guardian, 17 September 1932, Page 3

ISLAND SCHOLARS

SIDELIGHTS ON THE CHATHAMS. WELLINGTON, September 15. Some interesting sidelights on ed. ca tii n at the Chatham .Islands were given by Mr J. L. Watson, who has beei teaching at the Kairaku School, Chatham Islands, for six years past, am who arrived in Wellington by the steamer Matai. There are four sell: o • at Owhenga, Te One, Kairaku, am Kaingaroai—about 50 scholars at eacl §f the two first-named places, and Pfme 34 divided between the two latte -. £ “The scholars are pretty well all natives and half-castes,” said Mr Watson. “They are children of farmers and fishermen, and being cut off from the mainland, they do not attnui r very high degree of education. Most of them leave after they have got through the third standard, whilst occasionally one goes on to the fourth That girl with the fuzzy hair (indicating her in a photographic group) is the only one who has ever gained a proficiency certificate at the school.” Wjiat did she do with it? “What could she? Nothing.” What is the average intelligence quota of the children? “From 47 to 50,” replied Mr Watson.