GIRL NOT AT SCHOOL.

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20920, 29 July 1933, Page 12

GIRL NOT AT SCHOOL.

ENGAGEMENT WITH PANTOMIME COMPANY. • rr.rs.s association tiudrau.' WELLINGTON, July 23. In the Magistrate's Court Lizzie Bennetts was charged with failing to send her child to school from July 7 to July 21. Mr Hylion, the secretary of the Education Board, said that defendant wished to obtain exemption to enable her daughter to travel with the Frank Neil Pantomime Company. The application was not granted and the defendant was warned that if she took the child away from school she would be liable to prosecution, but in defiance of this she took the child away. Mr Sniythe, for defendant, said that the girl, who was 12J years of age, was in Standard VI., and was well advanced in the class. The headmaster had said that she was almost sure to obtain her proficiency this year. If it was in his power to issue a certificate of exemption he would do so. The headmaster referred defendant to the education authorities, but the manager of the company assured defendant that he would obtain exemption from the proper authorities. Defendant regarded the opportunity of engagement with the company as an excellent chance for hsr daughter to improve her knowledge of dancing, which she intended to take up as a profession. Mr Hylton said it was clear that the defendant tried to get a certificate at the outset. She was told that it would not be granted and she asked what the penalty would be. The magistrate convicted defendant and imposed a fine of 10s with costs.

The building on Parnell rise, Auckland, which for many years housed the Parnell school is to be sold by auction for removal, and its demolition will mark the passing of a familiar, if somewhat unsightly, landmark of more than ha]f a century. The school was built 55 years ago, and it was estimated, when it was closed in May last, that 15,000 pupils had passed through it. The original building is of kauri, which is probably still in good condition, though the building has fallen into disrepair.