Few Children Left

Horowhenua Chronicle, 19 February 1931, Page 3

Few Children Left

SMALL RESPONSE AT SCHOOLS. An illustration of the completeness of the evacuation which has taken place since Napier was laid in ruins is the almost entire absence of children from the city. Although the total roll of children attending the Napier primary schools on the day preceding the earthquake was over 2200, only 24 answered the call to attend the Te Awa school ©n Monday. Four pupils from the Hastings Street school, which has a normal roll of 480, were present, and there was approximately the same number from each of the other principal schools. The normal attendance at the Central school is 600, at Te Awa 250, at Port Ahuriri 210, and at Nelson Park 650. Besides these public primary schools there were some hundreds of pupils attending private schools, including Marlst Brothers (120), St. Patrick's (50), St, Joseph's (30), and St. Mary's (60). It is proposed to call another as■sernbly of all school children in Napier to attend at To Awa next Monday. Meanwhile arrangements for re--opening the schools are being made by the Director of Education, Mr T. B. Strong, and the Dc parturient 'fl archi* tect, Mr E. Savage, who .hftye arrived in the district.