CORRESPONDENCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 851, 11 June 1910, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

[to the editor.] Sir —At the last meeting of the Foxton School Committee much dissatisfaction was expressed —and with seemingly good cause for complaint —at the small amount of capitation allowed by the Wanganui Education Board for the upkeep, heating, cleaning, etc., of the local school. Now, I take the liberty of suggesting to the chairman a way out of the difficulty, and I think if he was to bring the matter before his committee they would give it serious consideration. My scheme is that the parents of children going to school contribute, say, one penny per week if three or more go. I cannot think that any parent would grumble at this small amount, considering the improved comfort and enjoyment it would bring to those children. I think the above contribution would be ample for heating, cleaning, footballs, cricket bats and balls, croquet and swings for the girls. I think this would be a much'better way than the present hand-to-mouth working, and be independent of all Boards. Exemplify the good old saying, “ the Eord helps those who help themselves.” Please find a corner in your valuable paper, and oblige. —1 am, etc., A, Parent.

(To the Editor)

Sir, —Being a constant reader of your paper, I would like to say a few words in regard to the conduct of some of the spectators who make it a practice to attend every football match just for the purpose of gathering in money—of course, in bets. One private individual was making himself so noticeable along the line at last Saturday’s match that every time Awahou was allowed a free kick from which they were trying to pilot the ball across Albion’s bar, this fourth-rate bookmaking gentleman, whose appearance has come amongst us like lightning from the sky, would be up and down the line, with the words, “ a dollar they will put it over.” So anxious was he to see the points registered against Albions that one could not take him as a follower of the good old Awahou team but as a lunatic who would degrade football and bring science to brutality, accepting bets of about 2s 6d. Do you see, this is how so much ill-feeling is caused among the respective players of these teams, and why they are so much on the alert looking for protests if defeated. If only half an eye were kept open the offenders in this respect would very easily be caught, and vs arned off the ground. Then the matches coaid continue without the presence of these undesirables, and the sport would be kept much cleaner. Hoping I have not intruded too much on your valuable space, —I am, etc., Jaimes Smith. Foxton, June 6, 1910.