EDUCATION DISTRICTS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 18, 21 May 1915, Page 2

EDUCATION DISTRICTS.

EVIDENCE FOR RETENTION OF TARANAKI BOARD. Tup commission appointed by the Government to take evidence relative to tlio proposed alteration in the boundaries of education districts -sat at tli e Taranaki Education Board offices on Tuesday, a s previously referred to. The members of the commission are: .Messrs A. I). Thomson (chairman), G. M. Thomson, D. Petrie, J. Stauchon, and G. Hogben.

Amongst those giving evidence was Mr H. Masters, of Stratford, member of the Taranaki Board. Tn his statement (as reported by the “Taranaki Herald”), Mr Masters said that the counties in Southeren Taranaki, which were not included in the present board’s district were Patea, Hawera, Waimate West and part of Eltham. These were in the 1 aranaki province, and it seemed natural that whatevei additions were to be made to the present boundaries that these should be included in the new Taranaki board’s district. The means of communication existing at present between New Plymouth and the various counties mentioned were almost ideal. The roads iu the main, branching off the railway service, were excellent, and there was hardly a school even away from the railway but what the inspectors could examine iu die one day ann return ro Neu Plymouth. Furt » -t>ot had been made with the Opunake railway, with provision made for a branch line to Manaia, which would within a very short time further improve the already convenient means of communication for the working of the southern part of the province. There was a community of interest existing, natuiallj. in the whole of the. province that did not exist in any other province, and whatever additions were made to the Taranaki district should include the whole province. Further, the time was not far distant when direct steamers would be trading with the New Plymouth port, when the whole of the produce of the province would be carried through that port, and tins would certainly have the effect of bringing the southern part of the province even in closer touch with the northern, the interests of the north being the interests of the south, and vice versa. Regarding the Taranaki and Egmont counties, there existed at the present time a motor service running twice daily between New Plymouth and Opunake, and a survey had been made by the Government to ascertain the cost of making a railway between those two towns. This no doubt would he an accomplished fact in a few years and would have probably been started iu a very short time but for the present abnormal conditions. The settlers of the district in the counties mentioned were prepared to rate themselves, if necessary, as security for a loan tor the construction of the railway if the Governeruent were not prepared to carry out the work, and a Bill, was put through Parliament last session giving them the necessary power. The Stratford and Whangamomona counties were already served by a railway service to Whangamomona, while the Public Works Department runs a passenger service from Whangamomona to Kohnratahi, a further distance of five miles. The Tahora tunnel was now pierced, and approximately three hundred men were working between the Tahora tunnel and the town of Tahora, so that one would be justified in stating that there was every likelihood that a ill i I way connection will be completed in the next two years between New Plymouth and Tahora, a distance of S 5 miles. Between Whangamomona and Ohura there was a coach service, and in the summer tifne motor-cars could without any difficulty run from Stratford to Ohura. The Stratford Main Trunk railway was in course ot construction between Ongarue and Stratford, and while not anticipating a connection would be made for a few years, nevertheless provision was made for connecting the Ohura county with Taranaki. When that obtained all the business interests of that county would be identical with those of Taranaki, the whole of which was at present going through Auckland. A number of gentlemen representing the business interests and local bodies from that district visited Taranaki two months ago with a view to securing the cooperation of Taranaki iu doing their utmost to secure the completion ot the railway, so that they could have connection with the port of New Plymouth. This showed that the interests of these outlying districts are linked up with the Taranaki province. Regarding Clifton, Awakino, and Kawhia counties, there was a daily motor and coach service between New Plymouth, and a motor-boat service from Kinohaka at Awakino to the Kawhia

township. The Gvorument had a large number of men opening up tlie roads in the northern district, and a very large amount of money is being spent to provide suitable roads for coach and motor services. From Kawhia to tlie Main Trunk railway there was at tlie present time a suitable coach service. The Main Trunk railway runs through the centre of the Waitomo county, and this provided all that is required for the working of that county from an educational point of view. In the West Tanpo district the schools are very few and far between, and, in any case, mostly Native schools, and could he easily worked from the Main Trunk

railway. He doubted if there was any district in the whole of the Dominion which was so well provided for in the

matter of travelling conveniences. Taranaki was easily the most closely settled province in New Zealand, and demanded the travelling facilities that at present exist. He asked the commission to note this point. On account of the increased price of land,

which* would necessarily demand more intense cultivation, and together with tlie development of the back country, the population of Taranaki was still likely to increase at a greater rate than that of the other parts of the Dominion. .Mr Masters referred to the fact that the board was taking a very active interest in agricultural work. He pointed out that the board had two instructors, one of whom went round the district giving lectures to fanners and instructing their sous, while another instructor devoted himself to the primary schools. Mr E. A. Tyrer, headmaster of the Stratford District High School, gave evidence to show that the standard of education was as high in laranaki as in any other district. His school was in a very progressive district, and he had ample opportunities of noting the work of newly arrived children, both from other districts and from Taranaki. Taking English and arithmetic, new arrivals from other districts were very rarely bettor, and seldom as good, as bis own pupils, whereas children from other schools in bis own district were as good, and olton better. He also pointed out that in competitive examinations lor scholarships open to the whole of the Dominion, and in which uniform papers were set by the department, Taranaki had a higher percentage than any other board in the Dominion. This showed that the laranaki Hoard did excellent work. Mr Tyrer also referred to the secondary and technical work done in the district as outlined by other speakers.

Mr P. Skoglnnd, chairman of the Stratford District High School Committee, gave evidence from the point of view of a committeeman of a large

school. He first expressed his satisfaction at the manner in which the education district of Taranaki had been managed in the past. There was no doubt that community of interest had largely been responsible for this. If this interest was removed, the efficiency would be impaired. He referred to the interest taken in the schools by parents. This was because they were a Taranaki institution. If governed from outside Taranaki that interest would slacken. He also protested against Taranaki being wiped out on patriotic grounds. Taranaki had an identity peculiarly its own, and Taranaki people were intensely loyal and proud of local institutions. He considers! that the Taranaki district should be enlarged to take in the whole of the Taranaki Province. This would be more in the interests <d education than to make Taranaki an appendage of a place in which the people had no interests. Children in Taranaki to-day were the descendants of those pioneers who fought and died for their country on Taranaki soil, and it would he a calamity to take from them the distinction of belonging to a Taranaki institution. There were other grave objections to joining Wanganui. At present teachers under the Taranaki Hoard had exceptional facilities for meeting their inspectors and conferring on school matters. On Saturday teachers could spend five hours in New Plymouth, whereas they could not do so if Wanganui were the headquarters. Ho also referred to the increase in the number of school children in the North as against the South, and stated that the population of Taranaki was as likely to increase as in any other part of the North Island. Mr C. I). Sole, for fifteen years member or chairman of the Stratford District High School Committee, gave evidence regarding community of interest that would exist if the Taranaki education district boundaries were coterminus with the old provincial boundaries. He considered one of the chief reasons why the Taranaki schools were so efficient was because the members of the board came from various parts of the district and were in touch with all the schools. He pointed out that even if New Plymouth had two members the rest of Taranaki would have two members also, who might be elected from one locally. This would not tend to efficiency. He knew that Eltham favoured being included in Taranaki. ,

The Chairman pointed out that the number of school children in the proposed district would only be 8500, whereas Wanganui district now comprised nearly 14,000, and at present controlled a good portion of the Taranaki Province.

Referring to Kawhia. Mr Sole said it would he a disadvantage to the Taranaki Board to take over Kawhia, which cnotained only 162 children — namely, one grade 3 school and seven schools under grade 3.