The Feilding Star. Oroua and Kiwitea Counties Gazette FRIDAY, MAY 17, 1907. Education Under Difficulties.

Feilding Star, 17 May 1907, Page 2

The Feilding Star. Oroua and Kiwitea Counties Gazett e FRIDAY, MAY 17, 1907. Education Under Difficulties.

In the construction of the Main Trunk line there are a number of men engaged whose families reside near the works, and there is a considerable amount of difficulty in providing educational facilities for the children. There are several reasons for this: In the first place, owing to the red-tape system of the Education Department, it takes from six months to two years to come to a decision as to whether i. is justified in making a grant for a building, and then it takes from four to six months to erect the school. If, meanwhile, the building is by any chance erected by the Board, the Department — however just the claim — repudiates any liability in a manner which would be called dishonest in a private individual Under similar circumstances, or pays part of it, and expects the Board to raise the balance on overdraft guaranteed by members in their private capacity, or out of funds which are provided for other purposes than buildings. It was thought that Mr Fowlds would alter this state of things when he assumed office, but he has proved infinitely more dilatory than any previous occupant of the same office. Recently the Auckland Education Board, evidently sick of trying to improve the state of affairs . on the Main Trunk Line, handed over two schools which were being held in tents to the Wanganui Board, and on Wednesday Mr F. Purnell reported to the Board on his visit to these schools — at Makatote and Raurimu. In both places the instruction is given in halls erected by the employees on the line, the tent system having proved unsuitable owing to the rigorous climate. At Raurimu there is a roll number of 127, but at Makatote there are only fourteen on the roll. The result is, at the latter place, that the salary paid to the teacher, who possesses a B.A. degree from Home, by the Department is only £5 a month, a wage that is a disgrace to humanity. The hall in which this school is held is unlined, but warmth is kept up from a large open fireplace. In the case of the Raurimu school, the Education Department has given a grant of £100 towards the erection and improvement of the building, but why a number of men who are earning their living like those in question should be compelled to contribute any portion of the cost, while the residents of the towns and cities have luxurious educational appointments provided free for them is a mystery only a Ministry professing to be devoting itself to the cause of labor can understand. It is about time the system of local control in building matters was reverted to, or the whole administration taken over by the Education Department.