PIOPIO SCHOOL.

King Country Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 183, 19 August 1909, Page 5

PIOPIO SCHOOL.

To the Editor.

Sir, —Mr Andrews is quite astray in saying I quoted Scripture texts in my previous letter, but if he looks up a well known English author he will find the motto I suggested before —"Be just and fear not"—and whether it be Sunday or day school let the contest be honest anct fair. I would ask him to prove his statement that there arc children coming to the school at present a distance of six miles, as there are only 5 white children's names on the roll, and none of these come more than 3 miles. As for the building not being suitabte for girls to attend, such a statement is absurd. I would draw Mr Andrew's attention to the fact _tb«t in many places schools start with "a tent, and that is alt they have at Ana yet where girls are attending. I think we are very fortunate in having such a building to start with. Let Mr Andrews took at the map again, and be will see a school site at Watrere. In reply to Mr Bevege, if he is anxious to publish alt that was said at that "hole and comer" meeting, why does he not do so? I am sure it would not help his case. The reason why no Natives attended was because t< ey knew nothing of the meeting until after it was held. Notices were posted to Mr Rawstron, Mr Paten and myself, the day before the meeting; I received mine half an hour before the meeting time; the others can «peak for themselves. As to the sanity of my previous remark "arlfc* crow flies," I was quoting Mr Bevege's remarks at that "cut andddrier'd r ' meeting, so if there is any insanity about it let it go home to roost. As to comparing the two sites I have done so many a time and I find in the tost place one of two acres, the other ten acres; the second plape, one three miles from Paemako school, and the other six miles; ip the third place, the two acre site at the extreme comer ol the settlemot and the ten acre site in the centre. Mr Bevege has It children on the Mairoa Road; we 28 between the 14 and to mile pegs* with two families expecting to settle here this coming summer. I personally interviewed some of the Wairere settlers last summer, and tried to get their support to help start the Piopio school, but as they intend to apply for a school site 4 miles from the Piopio junction, they dec! vied to help. I believe when a certain road is finished the; are nearer Paemako, and Mangaotaki are at present negotiating for a school, so where does tho 2 acre site at the 18 milt come in. Mr Riddle's boy is only 9 years old, and not 15 or 16 as Mr Bevege says, *nd has not beep able to go to school since coming to the district,

| wbereu Mr Bevege's youngest, I am | told, is 13 years c!d snd in th» 4th : standsrd. There are also two others of the same age be mentioned living cm the Moire# Read, who are in the higher standards, and who will be finished school in » year or two. Anyway the children on the Mairoa Read would have from 2$ to 3 miles to travel across paddocks with no mod, and if the school is built on the at the 13 mile, it would be fair to fil». Anyway if Mr Bevege had ascertained the wtsthes of the settlers and Natives before forcing a site upon us this controversy might not have happen* d, but as we are not in Russia where men dare not speak. I exercise the rights of a freebom Briton to be heard in the cause of fair play. As Mr Bevege dose not seem to think this matter worth calling a meeting for. 1 take that liberty, as nothing further can be j gained en either side by abusing one another through the Prca?.—l am. etc., ARTHUR SAVILL.