The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1908. THE MANGAPAPA SCHOOL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2117, 17 February 1908, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1908. THE MANGAPAPA SCHOOL.

It is to be hoped that as the result of his visit to Gisborne, the Minister ■for Education will make some atonement for*the gross discourtesy that lias been shown to the residents of Alangapapa, by sanctioning additions that will ensure sufficient accommodation being available for a considerable period in the future. The district is going ahead so rapidly that a building that would be adequate today, would in all probability be outgrown in a twelvemonth. The average attendance for last quarter was 131, and there is every indication that before the end of the year it will be up to 150. Under the circumstances, tho least that should be asked for is that the present accommodation be doubled. AVe are, of course, taking it for granted that Air. Fowlcls will immediately sanction some additions, for if is inconceivable that lie should refuse. The school lias, according to the Department’s own regulations, accommodation for only 104 pupils, yet the present roll stands at 166, and several days last week, over 150 children were present. This congestion, though accentuated recently, has always been in evidence to some extent, but although many representations have been made to the Alinistcv during the past 18 months, lie has persistently refused to give effect to them. This -attitude has produced such a condition of affairs that we have the extraordinary situation of a school committee having to place several classes in a tent, in order to leave room for the remainder to be taught in the school. The position Ins long since become too aggravated to leave any kudos to the Minister when lie shall see fit to remedy it, but a better feeling would certainly be. engendered between the Alangapapa people and the Department, if authority were now given for an enlargement that will properly recognise the needs of an important district.