The Daily Telegraph. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1889.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 5660, 19 October 1889, Page 2

The Daily Telegraph. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1889.

With evidently only shallow information on the subject, the Waipawa Mail has become hysterical over the fact that the Education Board declined to pass a recommendation to the School Commissioners in f aror of the establishment of a High School at Waipawa or Woodville. The Board, however, , did what was very much more sensible, namely, to recommend that the Commissioners sot apart a portion of the revenue derived from secondary educational reserves to form a scholarship fund to be open to the children attending , country schools. This recommendation was earned without a dissentient voice on the motion of Mr. H. Baker. His originnl motion, however, included these words, "and also, should the funds bo available, to provide for the establishment of a District High School at Woodville, or at some other centre within the Waipawa County." These words jeopardised the whole motion, and had to bo omitted. Mr. Baker's contention was that the scholarships given by the Board were not of sufficient value to support ft country boy in town, to pay school fees, and cover cost of board and lodging. He failed to show, however, that the difficulty would be overoome by having a High School at Woodville, for it would cost the lad just as much if living away from his home whether ho pursued his studies at Woodville or at Naoier. As Mr Carlile said, the argumontfwent to show that tho scholarships should be of greater value, and the Board, recognising this, passed the recommendation to the School Commissioners, as proposed by Mr Baker. A. glance at tho Education Keports for this district will show that the number of Sixth Standard pupils at Woodvillo or Waipawa does not justify the establishment of a High School at either of those places. Last year, for instance, Woodville presented three boys and four girls for examination, and two of tho former and throe of the Irttter mtcceeded in passing; Waipawa presented six pupils, four of whom were examined, and one passed; Knikora presented six, and passed three. These figures fail to make out a case for. the necessity of a High School in the country. In tho whole of the schools in the district, including Gisborne, there were only 217 children in the Sixth Standard,"of whom 149 were presented, 113 were examined, und 111 puseed. If tho School Commissioners xarry out the recommendation of: the Bt>ard and set apart a fund for the formation of scholarships of sufficient value to enable a boy or irirl from the country winning one to complete his or her education at the High School in Napior, the wants of the country district!) will bo amply provided for iv this respect. We are ' quite'eertam that the members of both the Education Board and the Board of School Commissioners are animated by the highest desiro to advance the cause of education in this district. We protest against the coarse and vulgar insinuations of the Waipawa Mail, which would make it »ppear that these gentlemen, especially those on tho Board who are also the Governors of the High Sohoel, aro actuated by the desire to " keep the country schools at the lowest ebb, and to check any step made for the advancement of the children of the masses of tbe people." This sort of language is as unjustifiable as it is mischievous; and after the sharp lesßon that has so lately been administered to the Mail, we are surprised that it has r.ot learnt the wisdom of moderation and of decency when discussing tho actions of old and respected settlers.