Backhbock Children and Higher Education

Franklin Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 32, 22 March 1939, Page 5

Backhbock Children and Higher Education

CASES OVE RTHE RIVER DIFFICULTY WITH TRANSPORT HIGH GOST TO THE PARENTS “It is a pity to see backblock children penalised like this, and deprived the right of a secondary education.” This remark was pased at Onewhero on Saturday, when a meeting was called to discuss the possibility of continuing the recently inaugurated transport service which brings children from across the river daily to the Pukekohe Technical High School. There was a good attendance, including parents of children attending the Onewhero, Pulcekawa and Te Kofi anga schools, the school committees, and the headmaster. Tiie chairman of the Onewhero school committee, Mr W. H. Coles, was in the chair, and also present was Mr J. B. Sim, chairman of the board of managers of the Pukekohe Technical High School After a great amount of difficulty, the service had started this year, Mr Coles stated, enabling eight pupils from Onewhero, Pukekawa and Te Kohanga to receive the benefits of a good secondary education. The thanks of all were especially due to Mr J. B. Sim for his efforts on their behalf; but now they learned that the operator of the service had found 1 hat he could not continue the service in view of the high costs. Parents Pay 10/- a Week

At Ihe present time the parents of the children concerned paid 10s weekly for each child and this amount was subsidised to the extent of 8s id by the Government. However, if the service were to be continued, more money would have to be forthcoming As it was the contractor travelled 86 miles a day or 400 miles a .week. At the present rate—lß/4 a child weekly —he estimated that he would be £IOO short at the end of the year. 1

Mr Sim said that it would be necessary to obtain a bigger grant from the Government, otherwise it seemed as though the parents, would have to pay more if they wished the service to be maintained.

It was stated there was a possibility of a bigger bus service being opened, but this was indefinite. A bus service to Onewhero should receive public patronage, and therefore lower the costs to the operator. The unanimous opinion was expressed that an endeavour should be made to carry on the service, and it

was decided to appoint a committee to go further into the matter. Thanks were expresesd to Mr Sim for his continued interest in the matter.