MEETING OF HOUSEHOLDERS AT ORARI BRIDGE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1325, 9 April 1885, Page 3

MEETING OF HOUSEHOLDERS AT ORARI BRIDGE.

A deputation from the Board of Education, consisting ot the Rev. Geo. Barclay and Messrs J. Talbot, R. A. Barker, and Dr Anderson, the Board's Inspector, met the residents of the Orari Bridge School District in the schoolroom on Tuesday afternoon to discuss a proposal to shift the site of the school. Mr Lewis Grant was voted to the chair, and, havina; read the advertisement convening the meeting, called upon those present to express their views. Mr R. Tarbotton said he was one who lived near the Rangitata river, and had children of school age—and he was five miles from the present school. If the school were put in a more central position, say at Cooper's Creek, he thought it would be more convenient for both parties. He had written to the Education Board on the Subject. He estimated that at least 30 more children would be able to attend the school if it were moved.'

In reply to Mr Helem, Mr Tarbotton said he had not got a list of the children who would attend, but mentioned the names of five residents who had about 25 children of school age. In reply to a further question he said he could not say whether those persona living close to the Orari Bridge, on the north aide, were willing to have the school removed or not.

The Rev. Mr Barclay said they could not have an average attendance rf 25 out of a roll number of 25. Were there no others and no more families to be considered 1 He (Mr Barclay) was speaking of having two schools. Mr Tarbotton said a school at South Rangitata would be of no use to them. Mr Barclay : Perhaps it would not if you have a particular site in view. Mr Grant thought a school at the Rangitata would be of benefit to them. Mr Barclay : In thr event of the Board not having sufficient reason for shifting this school, would not a school in Borne other part of the district do ? Mr Tarbotton : I don't think it would.

Mr J. J. Daily: 1 side with Mr Tarbotton, that a school at Cooper's Creek would be central. No one would have more than two and a-half miles to walk. That would only be fair, and it would make a better school, which would be better supported. It was not fair to make some children walk five miles and others have the school close at hand. Mr Hewson considered that Mr Daily was leading people to believe that all the children now attending the school lived close to it. Mr Lawlor said be lived about two and a-half miles from the present school, and if it was removed to Cooper's Creek his children would have to walk another two and a-half miles. He would refuse to send his children over the river.

Mr Daily considered it would mee t the demands of the majority if the school was in the centre of the district. Mr Hewson : The Dames have been mentioned of several persons living on the north bank of the Orari near the bridge. It is not to be supposed they would be parties to shifting the school. It would be further for their children to walk to Cooper's Creek. Another school near Mr Hawke's would be suitable to those living in that district. It was not reasonable to suppose that all the children attending this school lived close to it. Many had miles to walk. Mr Helem asked Mr Tarbottom why he did not go to the Board of Education and do things openly 1 Mr Tarbotton said he was sorry if he had not done rightly. He wrote to the Board and also to members of it. Mr Talbot corroborated Mr Tarbotton's statement.

Mr Grant thought Mr Tarbotton had been asked by some person to raise the agitation. Two years ago a person asked Dr Foster to use his endeavors to get the school moved over the river, and he thought the prime mover of this agitation was identical with that person.

Mr Talbot said there should be no personalities brought forward. There had heen nothing done that had not been done openly, If a school were built at Rangitata, what effect would it have upon this school 1 Mr Hewson considered that it would not take more than twelve children from it. It would be equally as far for Mr Pye's children and others in that locality to go to Cooper's Creek as to go to the Scotsburn school.

Mr Grant said that not a child would go across the Orari bridge from that side to a school, &i the river was not always fit to cross.

Mr A. D. Macdonald was of opinion it would not be right to shift the school. It was as near for Ashby's and Pithie's children to go to Scotsburn. Mr Hewson thought it was reasonable to have another school at the Rangitata. All the children near the present school had not been counted. He did not think Cooper's Creek would be central, Rev. Mr Barclay: Would it be preferable, in the event of the Board allowing funds for the purpose, to put up another school or'; shift this one ? The twenty-five or, say, thirty children near the Rangitata referred to, and the 50 on the roll of this school would make 80. The question was—What would best suit these children and provide for the largest average attendance ?

Mr Tarbotton thought one good school would be best. Mr Metcalf said the settlers had been to a great deal of trouble and expense to get a school where it now stood, and it would be unfair to change it, especially as the majority of the children were on that side of the river. Mr Pithie considered a Binall pohool of very little use, as they could could never get a good master to take it. Mr Hewson said there were only some 25 or 30 children to consider near the Rangitata against 50 attending this school. There was no need for any discussion on the matter. The Chairman corroborated what Mr Metcalf had said as to the amount of trouble and expense the settlers had been to in getting their school. They had bought a section of land and the Board had put up the school, and now that they were going to get a master's house this agi'ation had arisen.

Mr D. Guldan said it had been a struggle to get the school, and he would be in favor of leaying it where it was.

Mr J. Wharton concurred in this view, though, if anything, the proposed site would be nearer for his children.

The meeting then adjourned for a few minutes to allow the deputation to consider matters. On reassembling, Mr Barclay informed the meeting they were under the impression that, taking the children from the Waihi river to the Rangitata railway station, one school would not suit the lot. In bad weather the attendance would be small. Small children would never be able to get to school. The wisdom of the Board waß to place schools where they were most suitable. They would leave this school where it was, and it would bo the disposition of the Board to get a school for the people in the Rangitata district. Eighty children would be better provided for by two schools in such a scattered district. The Board's Inspector would shortly visit the Rangitata district and a meeting could be called to discuss the most suit' able site. This school building had been shifted twice already, and he doubted whether it would stand another removal ; and the money spent in removing it would be better Bpent in building another •chool.

Those present were unanimous in their expressions of approval of the course decided upon by the deputation. On the motion of Mr Daily, a hearty vote of thanks was passed to the deputation, and the meeting then dispersed.