“I DEMAND A SCHOOL!”

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1599, 17 August 1916, Page 4

“I DEMAND A SCHOOL!”

FARMER BEARDS AN EDUCATION BOARD. Members of the Hawke’s Bay Education Board were considerably startled, if not impressed, by the rugged eloquence of a back-country settler from the Waikaremoana district, when he appeared before them at Thursday's Board meeting tr? ask, insist and demand that a school be established in his district, reports the Hawke’s Bay Herald. The hoard was tranquilly pursuing its way through the business of the meeting', when the farmer appeared before them. He compelled attention from the outset. In a voice charged with suppressed feeling he told the hoard that he was there to state his ease for the setting up of a school in his district. He was the father of eight children, and their education had cost him during the past' several months £fo. Rather than that their education be neglected be had sent them seven miles to a distant school. The journey there in the winter was a dangerous one through bleak cold country. “Some weeks ago,” continued the speaker, growing more worked up as he proceeded, “my three girls were all but drowned when fording a stream on their way from school. Thanks he to heaven, I saved them from death.

“Had they been drowned," continued the speaker, shouting at the assembled members, “I should have come here on a different mission. I would have brought an axe with me.” Here the speaker ceased for a moment, as he ti’embled with pas-

*lOll. “We have no luxuries out there,’' he r-oniimied more quietly, 'There are no picture culciTaimneuis for Hie children but I would lie content if niy children had the benefit of education. I have offered to subsidise £ for £ any contributions the other settlers might give for a new school, but it’s been no good. “For live years I have fought for a school,” continued the speaker again, raising his voice. “I wnnv a school, I demand a school!” The. last few words were literally thundered at the assembled board members. The farmer stamped his foot while (lie assembled members maintained an awed silence, “The Government squanders thousands of pounds,” continued the speaker again, “but will they put a hospital within our reach there. My wife would have died in my house were it not that I was fortunate in securing a doctor. Yes, they say put the men on the land. Then they let us starve there, get bogged there, let us die there,’ and here the speaker paused again in his fury. Board members were tongue-tied, and maintained an embarrassed silence. “I am sorry if I have spoken roughly,” concluded the farmer at length, “but you see I can’t send my children away to town here.. I love my children. I want my children.” The farmer went to leave the room, when the board was heard for the first time. The chairman exclaimed that it, would do what it could, while turn other member admitted that it was ii treat to hear a matter dealt with so forcibly. The orator from the back country muttered his thanks and left the room. Members were plainly impressed with the force of .words. One member remarked that he had been quite affected. Without any further discussion it was decided to take immediate steps to place the matter before thy Government.