SCHOOL IN THE BACKBLOCKS

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 2 March 1926, Page 10

SCHOOL IN THE BACKBLOCKS

EDUCATION BOARD’S VISIT.

AN INTERESTING TOUR. THROUGH OHURA DISTRICT. When the Taranaki Education Board’s party returned to Now Blymouth on Friday evening from it* tour of inspection of schools in the Ohuia district all agreed it had been a most educative and enjoyable trip. Ihe board takes a keen interest m the welfare of the backblock schools undei its jurisdiction, and by means of occasional tours of the more remote country districts i 6 able to realise the requirements and Conditions of both teachers and pupils. The visitors in this instance comprised Messis S. G. Smith (chairman), H. Dempsey arid the Rev. J. L. Kayll, of the Taranaki Board, Messrs H. W. Insull (secretary), C. H. Moore (architect), E. R. Hodge (architect to the Wanganui Board), and Taranaki Press representatives. The party left New Plymouth on Tuesday morning, and nroceeded to Whangamomona, where the night was spent. The following day Ongarue was reached, after passing through Tangarakau Gorge, and on Thursday evening the narty stayed at Te Kuiti, returning to New Plymouth on Friday. In the exchange of courtesies which took place prior to the dispersal of the oartv on its return to New Plymouth, Mr E. R. Hodge, who replied for the visitors, remarked that it was very pleasing to note that the board had paid the greatest attention to the school buildings, which he considered the most important branches of the work. School work played a great navt in moulding the careers of the children, and good buildings were essential towards creating the correct atmosphere for teaching. He thanked the board for affording him the oppor‘••mitv of joining such a splendid tour, and in return extended a hearty invitation to the members to join his board in a similar tour of its backbloHc districts.

Mr Smith said he. still bad memories of a pleasant and interesting trip in the Wanganui district some years back. It .was most instructive to visit schools in other districts, and he would .he nleased to accept Mr Hodge’s invitation. The tour inst concluded had been very pleasant. Those who had been through previously had ref re shed their memories, and those to whom the t,vjp -\yas new had learnt a good deal. He had been delighted to include Press representatives, for he considered that move nnblicity should he given to the difficulties of conducting country schools.

STATE OF THE ROADS. Although a good proportion of the iourney was made over unmetalled roads, no difficulty was met with until chains had to be used at the beginning of the Taliora Saddle. The road, having been cut out of the papa hillside, was inclined to be greasy, and the light rain which had fallen on the previous evening had made things worse. Through the beautiful Tangarakau Gorge, the road, though muddy, was good and easilv negotiated. The chains were removed shortly after leaving Tatu, hut the roads were rough oracticallv all the way to Te Kuiti, after which a good surface was met. Business which was 6et down for Thursday, hut which was unexpectedly disposed of overnight, caused the oartv to arrive at Te Kuiti shortly after middav and, as arrangements had already been made to meet deputations on Friday, the party made a short visit to Waitomo Caves. .■ .A new and shorter road from Te Kuiti is at present under construction, and this should prove of considerable value to tourists visiting the famous limestone formations.

SCHOOLS VISITED. Leaving New Plymouth, schools at Tariki, Stratford, Toko, Douglas, Huiakama, Pohokura and Whangamomona were inspected. It wa6 found in all these cases that the attendance at the schools had fallen, leaving plenty of accommodation. At Toko, Mr T. Needliam waited on the hoard and discussed the question of a site for the headmaster’s residence, the old dwelling having been recently destroyed by fire. He suggested "that the original site could be more profitably used to extend the playing fields, a suggestion which met the" approval of the board. Two optional sites were considered, but no decision was arrived at. The party were the guests of Mr Galbraith (headmaster) and Mrs Galbraith at afternoon tea at Huiakama, and later visited Pohokura, a sole charge school under Miss J. Curtei6. It was pleasing to note that forestry was receiving a good deal of attention at these schools, where a number of fine young trees was to be seen. Quite a young plantation wa6 found at Whangamomona, where both teachers and punils took a keen interest in "this useful branch of work. At this school the seeds of many rare trees had been sown, and the percentage of germination and subsequent growth had been very high, thanks to the ideal situation of the school. As all the schools along the TahoraStratford railway intended holding the school picnic at the New. Plymouth beach on Friday, the chairman gave the children a half-holiday on Thursday in honour of the hoard’s visit. An early start was made the following morning, and the Marco and Hurimoana schools visited, where deputations waited on the board to discuss the question of amalgamation .of the school’s. A central school at Kohuratahi was suggested. The hoard will consider the amalgamation at its next meeting. A short visit was paid to Tahora before the journey through the Tangarakau Gorge was commenced. Lunch was partaken of in the gorge, after which Tatu. a sole charge school under Mr C. Nieholls, was inspected. Mr F. H. Sims, a member of the hoard, joined the narty at Tatu with Mr J. C. Rolleston, M.P. for Waitomo.

At Ohura, which had an average attendance of 70, Mr G. Dennison asked that a travelling dental clinic he established to visit surrounding schools. He stated that a dentist from Tauniarunui paid occasional visits to the school, hut he felt that the smaller schools were entitled to a . regular dental service. The hoard, while sympathetic. was unable to assist, owing to the etsablishment of a dental clinic being in the hands of the Health Department. Mr Dennison also made tentative application for an enlargement of the school, hut, as the present accommodation allowed 14 square feet for .eartt pupil, he was advised that the enlargement could not he made. THE OHURA SHOW.

On the invitation of Mr Rolleston, the party stopped at the Ohura A. and P. Show, where the members were welcomed and entertained by the president (Mr ,T. B. Dohertv) and the secretarv (Mr C. V. Smith). Schools at Matiere, Mahirakau, and Maungatupoto were nest visited, and

at the latter place Mr Gailey waited oil the board with a request for the establishment of a school near his property. He had a large family, which had received practically no schooling. After inspecting the Ongarue school next morning, th© party proceeded to Te Kuiti, which was reached by lunch time. The party were guests at the Te Kuiti Club in the evening. Mahoenui was the first school in the board’s district visited after leaving Ongarue. other schools being in the Auckland Board’s district. At Mahoenui a deputation asked for conveyance to be provided for children living at the soldiers’ settlement some. four miles away. At Awaldno a subsidy towards ground improvements was requested, and to this the board agreed. Additional accommodation was applied for bv the Mokau Committee, who also asked for an additional teacher. The party then returned to New Plymouth over Mount Messenger after having visited over 20 schools.