BACK-BLOCKS SETTLERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 March 1917, Page 8

BACK-BLOCKS SETTLERS.

DISABILITIES EEG.AKMXG EDUCATION. t MUST SACRIFICE THEIR. lIOLDTXCS. "Unless we can obtain educational facilities for our cliildren out hack, we wjli have to leave our holdings so as to give our children the advantages of education," was the strong appeal made by a deputation of settlers who waited on the Education Board at Whangamomona oil Monday night, during the members ot the Taranaki Board's, tour. Four settlers from Taliunaroa—Messrs CI. C'oe, W. Donald, X. Saddlier and 11. Hawlinson—asked the hoard, to establish a school in their district. Thev pointed out that they were ten mile? frojn AVlrngamomoha and 1! miles from M«-

kaliu. There were ten children of school age, but owing to their being scattered over a distance of live mile-, they did not think they could guarantee an attendance of more than eight. There was a school reserve, and, if necessary, they thought they could arrange to erect a building suitable for a school, and could also arrange for the accommodation of the teacher.

The chairman pointed out that unless there was an average attendance of fl the Department would not establish a school. For a less number the Department would allow £fl per head, and the balance would be provided by the set-tlers-or some other means. Mr Coe said there was no one in the district that could undertake the teaching. Mrs Coo was teaching her children, but she could not spare the time. Unless. he said, educational facilities were piovidcd, married men would have to leave their sections to bachelors. The settlers might assist a little with the salary, but even .with the assistance oi the bachelors, who were very generous in the matter, they could not, make na the difference of the salary. He thought the Department was discouraging settlement in the back blocks. Every parent was anxious that his children should take advantage of the educational facilities provided. Members of the board wore very sympathetic. The chairman said that when the inspector had reported on the matter the board would make a recommendation. i

Mr Wilkinson instanced a ease where, through lack of educational facilities, families had left the land; and this had caused some concern. He thought that if special representations were made to the Minister, something might be done in this ease.

Mr Trimble questioned whether the Minister had power to do so. Mr Wilkinson thought something might be done. The board stated that they would give the settlers every assistance in placing their requirements before the Department, as they were entirely in sympathy with the settlers in the back blocks.