PUBLIC MEETING.

Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 78, 10 July 1878, Page 2

PUBLIC MEETING.

A public meeting of the householders resident at Terrace End, was held in Deard's Hotel, on Friday evening, to take into consideration the necessity, for the erection of a public ]|school at that end of the town.;. On the motion of Mr Linton, Mr Warburton was voted to the chair. The Chairman in opening the proceedings, explained that the meeting bad been called to reqnestthe school committee to establish a school at Terrace End. He had expected' to have found a larger number of parents present to support the Iresolution, as well as give an estimate of the number of the children that would attend a school at Terrace End, should it be deemed ad visabha to establish one there. The Education Board was now in funds, and he thought that the present would be a favorable time to bring the matter under their notice. Mr Mackib, inquired whether it was necessary to guarantee the attendance of a certain number of children P "'

The Chairman replied that it was not. -The Government granted £3 5s per year, most of which went to pay the master's salary, so that the more children that attended the school the better position would they be in. It appeared that there would be 115 children on the books of the present school, 42 of whom lived at Terrace End, and 11 between Terrace End and the school. The compulsory clause had not yet been brought into operation, but when it was*; the numbers would be gradually increased. Mr Linton thought the establishment of a school at Terrace End a necessity. Two-thirds of the children there did not attend school at all, for the simple reason that it was too far away. Mr' Dalrymphr had told him that the Board would no doubt grant a second school, but . that it would be first necessary to have a meeting of householders to pass a resolution affirming the necessity for such school. When the compulsory clause was brought into operation, there would be three or four times the number of children at present attending school to be ' provided for. This would ; render the establishment of a second school a still greater necessity. As to whether the district should be divided or not, would be a question for the local committee to decide. There could be no doubt, he thought, as to the necessity Which existed for a school at Terrace End, the only difficulty waa with regard to a site. There were two reserves for educationalpurposes near Mr Brightwell's, but that he thought would be too far away; There was another way of providing a site, which was by the Board supplementing the amount raised .-by subscription for the purchase of a site. Mr Collins owned some sections which he thought would be suitable, and he was willing to negotiate for the disposal of them. If they had a school at- Terrace End, some 1200 or 1500 miles of walking would be saved each week. Inquiries had been made, and it was found that there were. at Terrace End 150 children, though not all of sufficient age to attend school. If they passed a resolution for the erection of a school there, and the Board granted one it would be nine months before they got. the school. Mr Maoike thought it would be: better to call upon the committee to establish a branch school. Mr Linton said that the committee had no power to do so, as it rested with the Board. Mr Jenssen thought it would be premature to ask for' a second district, and that it would be far better to have only ope. He should therefore support Mr Mackie's views. Mr Marsh -considered that a school at Terrace End was a thing the people of that part of the town ought to have supported. The children at present had a mile or more to walk to school, whereas if they had a school at Terrace End they would be constantly under the , eye of, their parents. Out of the 150 children they could safely guarantee the attendance of 100, if a school was erected there, which would provide funds sufficient to'pay a good master. A school there was what they were he hoped^hey ■ bestir - themselves ; and- keep a&itaiing until tfcey gbt tieiF second ; school.; , .. .' Mr Jenssen said the only difficulty was the site. The reserves were too far away, but he thought they might perhaps be exchanged for others more suitable. ■ # - ■ The Chaibman explained that this could not be done except in a certain way, and that would entail considerable delay. The best way would be to acquire a suitable site by purchase. Mr Goomsson thought that until they found the present school overflowing, they ,had no need of a second one. % - Mr Mabsh.- said that when the compulsory clause was brought into operation, there would be seventy children to attend school; and they could not be provided for in the existing building. Mr Gaiae-thought the establishment of a school at Terrace End- was highly : i desirable. , — ' ; . -.-uM Mr Lintoji observed that Mr Goodisson was one of those who thought that there was no need of a store or public house at Teirace End,; but the residents there thought differently, and the householders of Terrace End were quite agreed that a school was urgently required, and would ask the local committee to. assist them in obtaining one, and if the committee refused, they Would apply direct to the Board. He begged to move the following resolution:— .i'i , ' ■■■ r- : .- ■ * ..-"•-' -That this meeting consider the erection of a school at the Terrace End part of the district most .essential, there being vat present 150 children who will soon require school accommodation. '„'•' Mr Jones seconded; the • resolution^ . which was carried unanimously. Mr Mabsh proposed as follows :— ' That this meeting request the present school committee to brihgthe matter contained in the .first resolution before, the Wanganui Board and Urge that body t6 Vote a sum sufficient for the erection of a suitable building. . .. Mr Linton seconded the resolution. Mr Jones asked whether the local committee would take immediate action if required. '■.... '"', -i'i Mr Linton said that from what had transpired at the last meeting of the local committee, he did not anticipate the slightest opposition on their part. The resolution was then put to the meeting, and carried unanimously. Mr Mackie proposed : — That steps should be taken at once to . look out for and recommend a suitable site .for a building. ' " • . .' Mr Gbioo seconded the resolution which was carried unamihously. Mr Jenssen moved :— ' , ' r That Mr Linton, Mr Mackie, Mr Deard, and the morer.be appointed tf committee to select and recommend to 'the school com- I mittee a suitable site for the propose^ school at Terrace End. ■ .- ~ Mr Andbbson seconded the mqtion, which was carried. , „ Mr Mabsh thought the committee would have no difficulty in finding a site at Terrace End, and he felt sure the householders there would willingly put their hands in their pocket for that purpose. A v ° te of thanks to the chairman terminated the proceedings, and meeting separated.