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Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 844, 26 May 1910, Page 4

A total disregard for the laws of health is commented on in his report to the Wanganui Kducation Board by Mr G. Braik, Inspector of Schools, in connection with several schools in the neglect of ventilation and dirty lavatories and towels. It is needless to remark (says the Inspector) that the condition of the school in respect of sanitation has much to do with the attendance of the pupils. Given a. neat, clean and attractive school, and a bright and pleasant tone, good attendance will as a rule follow as a natural consequence. Speaking of the proposed Government medical inspection of schools, Mr Braik pointedly remarks ; —lt is to be hoped that before the effects of bodily disorder are treated the causes, so far as they are attributable to schbol conditions, will be grappled with. So long as there are schools —and these are not a few —with breathing space, with lights wrongly placed and seats wrongly constructed, with play-grounds wet and sloppy, and with inadequate drainage, so long will the schools produce the disorders which it is proposed by medical aid and advice to remove.

Miss M. J. Gilbert, who has returned to Ballarat, after twentysix years’ service as a missionary in India, relates an amusing experience when booking her passage to Australia. Twenty-six years’ life in India had made a difference to her complexion, and when seeking a transfer at Singapore, from the boat on which she travelled from Calcutta, to an Aus-tralian-bound vessel, she was told, “We will not be able to take you there. There’s a great difficulty in landing persons from these parts.” “ But that only refers to Indians,” she replied, “ No, but to Eurasians also,” was the officer’s reply. “Well, that will be funny if I cannot land in my own country,” Miss Gilbert said. The skipper was appealed to, and, after briefly studying her features, he said, “ We’ll have to bring you back again. Have you ever been to Australia?” “I was born there,” she replied. “Eet us see your birth certificate,” the captain said. “ You don’t expect a person of my age to carry a birth certificate, do you ?” Miss Gilbert said. She forced her way aboard, and when approaching Freemantle was told that she could not be landed except at the risk of that company being fined. She only satisfied the officer on stating her willingness to remove her shoes and stockings to prove that she was a white Australian. He accepted her word, and there was no further trouble, r<or watch, clock or jewellery repairs go to Pakkks, the jeweller, Main Street.