The Tuakau Schools.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 1, Issue 47, 29 November 1912, Page 3

The Tuakau Schools.

[TO THE EDITOR.] Sir, —lhe Oracle has 9poken John Poland s;nr., has uttered his "last word" on the Tuakau school controversy. The Progressive League is crushed; its memters have cracked their last "joke." Mr Poland, mark you, tnats the League as a jokf, but shows at the same time sc much concern about the deliberations of th2 League that he has found it necessary to off to Auckland in the vain ecceavour to gat members of the Board to listen to the Gospel of Education as preached by John Polend, senr. What an error in judgment the Education Board made in not consulting our friend before allowing tha "luakau Jokiig Club" to make repress.tations tj them upon such a serious question as that of educaton. We may Le humorists, but to our critic, Mr Polanl, goes the credit of being the tiist man to find it out. The Premier of the country, Hon. the Minister of Railways Education, our local Member, .and various local bodies have been in touch with the League, srd without exception have rectived any petitions or enuuiries with uniform courtesy and respect. It has been left to tha lucal Sherlock Holmes to unmask that "jovkl". but at the same tims "August" body, "the Tuakau Progressive League." In the eyes of Mr Pola-d the Tuakau Joking Club has done nothing for the Tuakau district but amuse the peoi'le. May I ask him to look back lews than two years when the League was The destiny of this district wai then in the hands of serijUi-mindcd people men after Mr Poland's h3art. Tin astounding way in which they pushed the district ahead is a matter of history —if tha records could only be found. Mr Poland began his campaign asainst school centralisation by arguing before a meeting of householders that, as a certain member of the League had only been a resident of the district for 10 menths, it w?' presumption on his part to express an opinion upon tha school question. Mr Poland, remember, had b t en ic the district for about 4U years. His next method of argument was to withdraw hi 3 patronage from local tradesmen because they dared to differ from bim on a public question. Finally, we are told that a band of public-spirited men, the Tuakau Progressive League, are only treated locally as a joke. With a lecord surh as this Mi Poland goes to the Education Board and poses as the supreme and unbiased authority on matters educational.

I do not piopcse to discuss Mr Poland's figures concerning the increased distances children wculd have to walk under the centralisation scheme, because the correct figures are known alike to householders and the Education Board. It would be interesting reading, however, to have the names of tte number of chillren having " 6 to 8 miles" to walk, especially the ones that Mr Poland calculates would walk 8 milts.

I do not in»ecd to write in defence of Mr lappet He ia well able to look after hinuelf. Mr Poland's criticism of our secretary cannot be taken seriously. I might point out, however, that Mr Tapper has publicly denied th:U he has otrered his property for £3OO, or for any other sum. Such denial shoubl suffice for any person cot hopelessly biased. Wfcat Mr Poland states in regard to thre? members of the Lea& ue not having a single child to send ti school is quite true. It is equally true that the champion of the othrr Mr Poland, is in exactly the satte fix.—l am, etc., D. FLLION. Tuakau, November 27th.