SCHOOL ABSENTEE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 138, 23 March 1935, Page 6

SCHOOL ABSENTEE.

SELLING RACE CARDS. BOARD’S (STRONG COMMENT. (Per Presa Association). INVERCARGILL, March 22. When the Attendance Officer’s reports concerning non-attendance of certain children came before a meeting of the Southland Education Board today, it was stated that one pupil concerned had been selling race-cards on the racecourse. The chairman (Mr S. Rise) strongly condemned the attitude of some parents toward the welfare of their children. A great deal of trouble had been caused by defaulters, he said, and the boards officer had prosecuted offenders in the Magistrate’s Court. The matter had given the board some concern, but he hoped the penalties inflicted would make parents realise their obligations. It was a sad thing that children should be depriyed of educational facilities and their future be handicapped l ., It was not giving them a “fair spin in life. Some parents were certainly up against it, and were glad of a few shillings to help them along, but that was taking a short-sighted view of the matter and not giving consideration to jthe harm done to the child. Members endorsed the chairman s statement, and it was decided that a letter be sent to the secretary of the New Zealand Racing Conference, asking him to instruct his inspectors to prevent primary school children selling race-books on racecourses and trains.