SCHOOLS FOR BACK BLOCKS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 179, 2 September 1909, Page 3

SCHOOLS FOR BACK BLOCKS

AX ITSSEASONABLE PROPOSAL. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. At a .meeting of the Board of Education to-day, a warm diecusision took place on the grievances of the backbloi-k 'settlers with regard to the expenditure of prtblic money on school buildin?s. The questioa was ao application for tlu erection of a school at Tokerimu road, a remote back Mock on the Wanganui river. The secretary to the BoaTd stit - ed that this application bad been sent to the Department, and a reply had been received thai it appeared that the average attendonoe was only 10 and tint £2lO appeared to be a large expenditure for suet aa attendance. The Department therefore suggested that further enquiry be made with a view te seeing if a cheaper school could not be provided. Upon this the chief inspector, submitted a report suggesting tbat the settteTS should erect their own school building. ■ Mr. H. J. -Greeinßlade, M.P., took ctrong exception to rthe suggestion made ly the chief inspector. It was grossly unfair to compel settlers to erect schools ia. tie, ImckWockß. They paid as muA towards the cost of education as any city dwellers aaid should be entitled to precise!y the same treatment. He couid imagine' what sort of language any city school committee would make use of if such-» suggestion were made to them. Mr. MfcKenzie (chairman) said the question was an important one, and an important principle was involved. In snch vises such as the present where the average attendance of children at | tie backblock schools was small and un-.-v-rant he thought the architect to the i. ii' should be asked to design a cheap ouiidiag capable of .meeting actual requirements. If a small and reasonable grant were asked for, the Department would no doubt grant it, After further discussion, fhc chairBaa's proposal was adopted.