PALMETEISTON PUBLIC SCHOOL.

Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 49, 30 March 1878, Page 2

PALMETEISTON PUBLIC SCHOOL.

TO THE EDITOB. Sib, — The paragraph referring to theabove school /in your issue of to-day (ani ''more, especially the latter part), being likely .to act somewhat prejudicially to the interest 6f tKe school, and or my position therein, I. trust you will' allow me a small amount of your valuable space in vindication. Messrs. Snelson and Linton examined the» roll for October 1877, and February jusfc. past, which showed a very marked felling: off in the numbers j but I njay point but that October, under normal conditions, always shows a' large attendance io consequence of the annual examinations taking place in that month, while February,'beingthe fir3t of the" scholastic year, |is always, proportionately low. Now had comparison! been made between February 1877, andl February, 1878, the falling off in numbers; would' 'have been seen to have - been -verysmall, and easiiyiaccouhteS for by the explanation I gave. In 1877 the total'attenrdance,fpr February was 83, and the average 60.. Fop the corresponding month of this. year the. numbers were Respectively 7/8: '■ arid 52r^notwith3tanding ; the hooping-cough, and bad weather (oh the Ist .only" 14 at schoolj arid on the 14th only 25JV- ,- That' the school notwithstanding is ] now steadily advancing is shown by the fact this morning I had 73 pupils in attendance (but ■of 90)^,- being within 3 of the average for October last, and I have not the slightest doubt that on the new master taking charge the attendance will' be higher than it has ever been before. The attendance at any school short of teaching powsr is certain to. be proportionately low, and | may state that, immediately on my arrival' here last yearthe average of this school was increased' from 60 to 75, and, of course, the same wilt happen again if the school gets it* complement of teachers. In fact, 1 myself know: several families that are keeping their children at home rather than send thein to thisschool until more' teaching power is provided. ' ' : It is no part of my duty to solicit tha attendance of pupils, and I belieTO:Mr Lee- • deprecates auy interference on thie. part of in such matters; but after.the'pivragmph I: have alluded to, I.woutd eertainly impress upon parents that it is betterfor their children to avail themselves of the; 'education given at the school, thoifigh shorthanded as regards teachers, than to let them grow up— as many are doing now— iiy ignorance, though I may say that those parents: that send their children with, gross irregularity are scarcely 1e33 apathetic. I believesome are kept away out of mistaken consideration to me, under the impression that it i» impossible for me to give due attention to. my double duties, but I would point out lo> them it is better for their children- to- receive the limited attention I can give toeach than to receive none- at att, aixl theip non-attendance gives to others an unfavourable impression of the school. Apologising; for troubling you — I am, &c., . - IS, J. O&EianifS;. - TheSchool, . -Vv ;^ Falinerston N., Mareh 20fcli, 1878 k