SCHOOL TRUANTS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 879, 27 July 1910, Page 4

SCHOOL TRUANTS.

THE SINS'''OF QUAEDIANS.

Thero arc still several parents," ro» marked Mr. J. Dineen, truant Inspector, in his report to the s Wellington Jiducation Hoard yesterday, "who will not send their chiidren regu.arly unless ioiced to do so. About twenty of thoso chronic offenders will have to be proceeded"" against, as warnings have ceased to have • tno desired effect., •

"When visiting: a country school, T questioned a boy as to tlic cause of his irregular, and often latn attendance. Ho said that ho had to milk seven/or eight cows,..and do,other work. Tho boy is twelve years of age, und is employed by a farmer, who provides him • with food and clothes. I have sent a - warning to tho boy's guardian, and uu. ~ less a marked .improvement takes plaeo, proceedings will bo instituted."

Another individual was proceeded against for having failed to send a boy, of whom he was the guardi'uu, to school, the 'absence covering a period of eight weeks. Tho excuse offered was that whooping-cough was prevalent at the school. Tlit, boy wu» lti-pl at homo as a precaution against infection. "To-prove tho falseness of this reason," remarked Mr. Dineen, "it was shown that tho man's own boy was regularly attending another school when whooping-cough was very prevalent. Tho magistrate, in convicting and fining Hie accused, eon> mented very strongly on his conduct in sending his own boy to school, ami keeping tho other at homo to work."