EDUCATION ON THE PLAINS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXII, Issue 4316, 12 September 1921, Page 2

EDUCATION ON THE PLAINS.

THE NGATEA SCHOOL.

ENLARGEMENT NEEDED.

The need pf additions to the Ngatea school was discussed at a meeting held at Nga-tea on Saturday.

Mr Schultz (secretary of .the local committee), speaking with regard for the necessity of additions to the Ngatea school and for providing a teacher’s residence, said that the question was not one of education, but of health. Th.e Iccal school committee was always in touch with the Department about this matter. The school had. a seating capacity’of 45, and nt times 80 were present. There were 84 on the roll. I.t was not fair to either teachers or children. It was not right to leave the children., in those unhealthy surroundings. The Government had plenty of money for Commissions and certain purposes, but had not enough for m.or ( e school room at Ngatea. He wanted the help of the Thames people- in that matter. It was a farce to send round health inspectors when the children „were hoarded up like that. . Mr Danby asked how far representations had gone and had any promises been made. Mr W. G. Hayward said no promises had been made.. There was a shelter shed, and that had to be used as part of the ischool. Application had been made for extension, but the matter had got nd further. Money had been put on the Estimates. The crowding in that school was “weil over the odds.” The health inspector had stated it was the worst of 90 bad cases. Mr Rhodes, M.P. for Thames, said they must get the Education Board sufficiently' interested to recommend it to Wellington. Money was short and somebody would be left. He knew the heads had visited the school. Nothing further could be done till a further’ vote was made. If the matter was only a small one we may be able to’ get the Minister to authorise the amount without going to Parliament. I will endeavour to find out the difference between the amount of tender and vote. Education was the essence of economy. Mr .Parr had said that schools were one of the things which must not be neglected?’ Mr Danby said Mr Burns may be induced to visit the school and make a personal plea for its .enlargement.