STRATFORD'S DISABILITIES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 25 April 1907, Page 2

STRATFORD'S DISABILITIES.

Stratford's elevation, whilst it undoubtedly gives to its residents a fresh brisk, and healthful air that is not so noticeable in other parts of Taranaki, seems to have compensating disadvantages, judging by the following letter written by the secretary of the school committee to the Education Board: "The committee understands that the

system under which the extra capitation allowed by the (lovernment has been distributed is about to be changed, and instructs 111 c to write urging the claims of Stratford school for special consideration on the following grounds: -The situation of the town, 1000 ft above sea, and with a southeily aspect, brings with it (he. disadvantage of a long and comparatively severe winter. The Board'* architect, recognising (his fact, has pro

vided in the buildings 110 less than thi»teen fireplaces, and the number is ccr tainly mil in excess of requirement?: J lie problem iliat has beaten the com iniUee,is that or prodding out of tin. capitation grant Miiiicient fuel to prevent these fireplaces becoming a men

j iii'ickeiy ot l.he oi i'te vliil dren. Last year the committee piovided CIS worth of firewood, and it is certain that to adequately warm the rooms double the quantity would be exhausted long before the cold weather was at an end, and the request of the headmaster for a further supply of fuel had to be most reluctantly refused fur want of

funds, it was impossible, for the committee to economise iu other dhvetious so as to allow more for fuel, as all tlie services of the sclfbol are already cut down to the lowest possible iigure. For manual and technical work the children use the technical school, and here there are three more lireplaces to lie kept supplied with fuel. 'I his year, children

from Tariki, Midhirst, iuul Ngaire are coming to Stratford fur their manual and technical instruction, and need of "•nod Jiivs will bo. arconlnsiteiL The committee thinks that, on the grounds of greater need school has a cUuui not possessed hv schools enjoying - a milder w inter climate."

A suggestion that the committee he informed of tho Hoard's allocation, as reported in Wednesday mornings i-sue. was opposed by Mr. Monkhouso, who pointed out that this year's allocation was sivpeneo per head, whilst last year the committee had been in e\Jivnie wan; o) hinds oven on a basis of ninepence per head, and despite the fact that CliU had been raised J'or special purposes. The Stratford school spent t; II 01 UUI moiv than the Central School in tirowood, a-,d was entitled to spivial consideration. As the distribution of the had been decided ;.n, assistance must iie by v.-;i\ of a. special grant. The JJoard decided, on the motion of Messrs. Monk house* and Morlsou, io make a special of ,ClL } to the Stratford school.