NO FENDER, NO FIRE-IRONS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume III, Issue 727, 8 August 1878, Page 2

NO FENDER, NO FIRE-IRONS.

j It will be remembered that a short time i since the Oamaru Schools Committee pointed out to the Education Board that, having erected a chimney in the Volunteer Hall for the benefit of the school children located therein, it would be necessary to provide a grate, fender, and tire-irons, ovc. The Board do not, apparently see matters in the same light, but seem to think that having built a chimney, and thus provided an aditional means of ventilation in that already exceedingly draughty building, they had performed their share of the work of providing for the comfort of the school childreu. It matters not to them whether or not the .School Committee has the funds to obtain the necessary fuel with which to render the newly erected fire place a blessing to the little children, by enabling them to enjoy the warmth of a good cheering fire. The Board have not to sit freezing in a large windy room for four or five hours a day, and therefore cannot feel for the poor shivering little mortals who attend the classes in the Volunteer Hall. But they are not satisfied with leaving the providing of firing to the generosity of private individuals, but actually refuse to purchase a poker to stir up a lire when one is obtained through the kindness of charitable people. At, the meeting of the Schools Committee last evening, the following unique memorandum was read : The Kducation Board has declined to send the articles mentioned in your letter of the 4th inst. The supply of such articles as yon mention is clearly a charge against the "school fund." As you will receive by same mail twothirds "of the amount expended by the Committee on buildings for year 1877. and also the quarterly allowance of 2s. (id. for each pupil iu , average attendance, the Committee c; T hav ; very little grounds for c-xpec -'Hfyi. Board to pay for fender, fireiroiiL.'.'ctr'