Whakamara School Meeting.

Patea Mail, 26 June 1882, Page 3

Whakamara School Meeting.

A meeting of parents and settlers was held on Saturday evening to consider a school site. Present Messrs Williams, Wallace, Foreman, Duris, F. J. Gane, Edwards, Illston, Barnett, Malone, McGregor, Thompson, Allan, G. W. Gane, Bremer, and Scott (in the chair). Mrs Bremer having resigned the temporary duty of teaching children at her house, it became necessary to arrange for a school building and for a regular teacher. Miss Duris has passed . examination as a teacher, and it was agreed to recommend her to the Education Board.

As to a school site, opinion was ranch divided. Two sites were discussed. Mr Allan proposed and Mr Thompson seconded, “ That the School Committee communicate with Messrs Buckle and Pearce as to the cost of one acre of land for a school site on sections 10 and 11, junction of Otoki and Mells roads,” An amendment was proposed by Mr Duris, seconded by Mr Bremer, “ That two acres of the education reserve be selected as a school site, which is at present in the occupation of Mr Bremer at an annual rental of 8s an acre.” V'ote taken, when 6 were for the amendment and 7 for the motion, the latter being carried.

It appears the four outside families furthest removed are—Allen 280 chains from the junction site, Malone 185 chains, lllston 242 chains, Edwards 293 chains. This site appears to suit three out of these four, and is also nearest to the majority of present settlers. The education site would involve no cost for purchase, but would cause loss of rent. The Education Board will be asked to erect a school, and there will be a question of first purchasing and handing over a site. Settlers think that the Board should not force them to erect a school on a site that does not suit the majority, merely because it is called an education reserve; and they contend that Whakamara ought to be treated as Manaia has been treated.