SCHOOL IN A MARQUEE.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 378, 15 July 1911, Page 4

SCHOOL IN A MARQUEE.

TEACHERS' RESIGNATION. For the past couple t<{ years the parents of the Pio Fio distict have been urging the Auckland Education Board to erect a school at Fio Fio, but so far nothing has been done in the matter. Aa the Committee have been able to obtain any satisfaction from the Board, a letter has been sent to the Hon. G. Minister for Education. The letter sets out: "We appeal to you as Minister for the education of our children, who at the present time are shivering in a cold, damp marquee destitute of any artificial heat, which at this season of the year in such a climate as ours is totally unfit for school purposes. Giving to the damp, cold surroundings, the children have contracted various maladies which has reduced our average from 48 to 37. Further, the teacher has also suffered from chest trouble owing to the damp state of the ground Hour and has recently been ill for a week, during which time the school had to be closed. Since resuming his duties he has forwarded the following letter to the Chairman: 'I am quite unfit to teach, standing on a cold ground in damp atmosphere, talking to children, while at the same time my chest is very bad and my throat literally raw. I feel I cannot possibly continue. The unhealthycondition of the tent is known. Acting on medical advice,l regret to state j I have been compelled to resign my position from this month.' " The hall in which school had been held at Pio Pio up till last January was taken possession of by the Maoris with the result that from then school has been conducted in a tent.