SCHOOL FOR TUA MARINA.

Marlborough Express, Volume III, Issue 95, 4 January 1868, Page 5

SCHOOL FOR TUA MARINA.

To the Editor of the Marlborough Express. Sir, — Last week you gave us an account of the examination of the Blenheim School children, which must have been as truly pleasing to the parents and those present as it was to me on reading it in your paper. I agree with our worthy'magistrate that the way to decrease crime is to increase the number of schools. For the last two years we have been promised that we should have a school at the Tua Marina ; itwo years ago we were promised we should, have it in three months, and several times since then; lastly, we were promised a school should 'be erected at the beginning of this summer. It is not cominenced yet, and 1 wonder if it is ever to be? Crime is on the increase. You may see men and boys too very, often breaking the Sabbath, putting one in mind of daylight sabbath poachers. Our children are compared by passersby to Maoris and wild pigs; and I suppose greater facilities for crime wul be granted on the 30th of the month, which, in the “ day of reckoning,” will put into the shade the “ Wairau Massacre ” opposite on the hill. I think the Government ought to show us fair play. If facilities for crime are granted, they ought at least to put

into aur bauds one weapon in the shape of » school to fight the enemy with, for our offspring. We only ask a room, and that of any kind ; but we think that if we had our rights we ought not only to have a good one, but a teacher also. I don’t know how many residents are required to constitute a district —perhaps, Mr. Editor, you can inform us. I think we number (and I believe I am under the mark rather than over) 46 adults and 54 children. Thirty of the children are over four years. Number of adults who pay the Education rate, 21—and some of them have paid the rate for more than nine years. I believe there are sufficient subscriptions already given and promised, also timber being so very cheap and the land laid out already for the purpose, that I see no reason why we should not have a school at once. There is no school nearer than the Bush. If you would kindly insert this you would greatly oblige yours, &c., A Ratepayer at Tua Marina, Tua Marina, Dec. 23, 1867. [We will give the required information in our next. —Ed. M. E. ]