PLAINS SCHOOLS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4664, 20 February 1924, Page 1

PLAINS SCHOOLS.

INSPECTION Bl MINISTER.

The Minister of Education, the Hon. C. J. Parr, accompanied by his wit'.' and staff, visited many of me schools on the Hauraki Plains <m Thursday last. The party arrived by Lire 9 a.in. ferry from Kopu, and was met at the corner of the Orongo road by several sc 1 tleie.

Mr J. M. Smith was spokesman, and urged that the erection of the new school should be expedited. The framework only was up. ami the contractor had left.

'The Minister said lie v ould telegraph the Education Board’? architect recommending that unless work was resumed immediately the contract should be terminated and day wages men employed.

Mr Smith continued that the plans did not provide for flooring in the shelter-shed. On country such as at Orongo this was an absolute necessity. The settlers were prepared to do ths work of laying concrete in the she.l and forming pathways if the Education Board provided the material. Mr A. B vns, deputy-chairman of the Board, said that if an estimate of the cost was forwarded he would recommend the board to grant it. At Kppuarahi the Minister expressed surprise that the erection of this school had also been delayed. He assured Mr W. E. Hale, the chairman of Hie school committee, that he would have it pushed on.

Mr Hale stated that it was proposed to shift the old school building and utilise it as a teacher’s residence. The Minister , replied \ that if proposals were made he would see what could be done.

Turua had not been included in the itinerary, but being ahead of time it was decided to visit the school and M l ' Parr inspected the classrooms and spoke a few words to the teachers and pupils.

Kerepeehl was then visited and the additions to the building inspected. At this building only the painting remained to be completed. Several matters were brought before the Minister by Mr H. T). Jamieson, chairman of the committee, including requests for a grant towards the cost of improving the grounds and for free school books.

The Minister said that he was pleased to visit Kcrepeebi, but would like to see more spirit shown bv the residents. They should realise that tlie Government had just spent about £lOOO on the school. Tt was up to the settlors to do something, and not lean on the State. Subsidies would be given on monies collected, but good would be done by organising working bees. Kerepeehl was well off in having such a school provided, and lie hoped the residents would recognise this.

Tn regard to the playground Mr Burns said that the Board had secured an additional acre at the back of the school. T-Te would have a plan forwarded so that the cost of fencing could be ascertained.

Regarding free school books, th? Hon. Mr Parr said that this scheme would cost the State £250,000. However. there was a fund out of which the education boards could mak? grants to supply books in cases where a man in poor circumstances had a large number of children attending a school. The schoolmaster would have to supply a certificate with the application. as the privilege must not ne abused.

The deputation pointed out that th? parents of Kerepeehl wore not too poor to purchase hooks, hut the request- had boon made in the interests of the Native children attending the school.