Tuakau School and Progressive League.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 1, Issue 37, 25 October 1912, Page 2

Tuakau School and Progressive League.

i TO THE EDITOR] Sir, —The proposal to establish a Central School in Tuakau has, I togret to say, caused much ill-feeling j and misrepresentation. A week ago the Tuakau Progi essive League \ called a public meeting in the hope that this question would be considered once again, and earnestly discussed in all its bearing; with t'eelin" of gool fellowship. This much d ire I end was novor accomplUiH'il No more important question t ; tn that of the best method of educating the children of the distiict has come before local Louseholders. The proposal to establish a central sell )oi in Tuakau was one deserving of careful consideration. Unfortunately, a section of the meeting came not to discuss, hut to unreservedly condemn any change, on the grounds that a certain number of children would have further to walk. While I have the greatest sympathy with those who live a distance from school: would not the educational advantages, tho improved accommodation, counterbalance to some extent tho drawback of distance? The chairmen of both schools say no, and while I respect their opinion, I hold that as tho householders' representatives they might iiavo put before the meeting the advantages>as well as tit") disadvantages of the proposed central school. It would bo interesting to have tho opinion of local schoolmasters oil tho point. I did not, as reported by your correspondent, " strongly advocate ce: tralisatiou." I did urge at the meeting that the question was so import nit as to warrant further investiga ion. Before the proposal can bo condemned in wholesale fashion tho following facts should bo ascertained and placed before householders

Ist —Actual site for proposed central school with area of section. 2nd.— Distance that present and, as far as possible, prospective scholars would need to walk.• 3rd.—Size of prop >sed new school with details of accommodation provided for each class. 4th.—Sanitary and other arrangements. sth —Probable total attendance of scholars. Gih.—Number and grade of teachers to be employed. 7th.—To what extent will the Board repair and improve existing schools in the event of the centralisa-. r lb?. found quite unsuitable for the needs of the district 't With these questions answered householders could, by vote or petition, decide the rest as far as their wishes in the matter are concerned, Why should one part of district bo at loggerheads with another over tho question of schools? The issue is char. No member of tho much-abused League desires to deprive the children of the district of the educational advantages at present enjoyed, and replace it with some system infinitely worse.

Without the Board of Education can offer us a!l-ruund educational advantages much in ad vane J of those at present enjoyed, there is no point at all iu desiring a change, and I for one would not advocate it. It was in this spii it that the League called a public meeting : notwithstanding the many insinuations to the contrary.

May 1 say in reply to Mr Frost that his grievance against the Inspector should have been addressed to that gentleman, or better still to the Board direct. This, I believe, has alrea ly been doue by members of the recent deputation. The League cannot be held responsible for the Inspector';* voluntary visit to our secretary. It is generally understood that any body of men working for what they believe to be the publie good are open to criticism—fair criticism. It is also a fact that they usually get more kicks than ha'pence for performing their onerous duties, but fair play is bonny play. Mr. Frost's insinuations concerning tho " disintereste Iness" of the League is hardly worthy of him This gentleman may yet live to understand that there are members of j tilt; League ti'iat will >eil neither ! their souls nor consciences for the I almighty dollar. As Mr Frost has not to ni)' knowledge attended any [ meeting of the League his impres- | -ions of members' woik and motives ; must have been gathered second- | hand. Had our critic been more ! closely in touch with the League's work a> a whole ho would not have Im t'n : o ready to rush into print. In the int Tests of education and of the district generally I would cjrdiallv invite Mr Frost to give the League a little of his time and experience by becoming a member. It is, perhaps, a coincidence that I, too, am a lover of the immortal poet Burns. Ho is also the author ol the following lines;

'■ U wad some [low i the giltie gio us To see ourselves its it In-is see us." 1 am, etc., 11. j>. Mi EE, Titiikatt.