BACKBLOCKS CHILDREN.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLII, Issue 10105, 12 October 1917, Page 5

BACKBLOCKS CHILDREN.

EDUCATION UNDER DIFFICULTIES. UNDESIRABLE "ACCOMMODATION. Some of the difficulties attendant! upon the education of children in baokblocks districts were brouglrl under the notice of the Wanganui Education Board by Mr A. E. Jobhn on Wednesday. CRAMPED QUARTERS. The first case Mr Joblin referred to was that of 14 to 16 children in the Upper Turakina district, who were taught in a room 24ft by 10ft, the lean-to.of a hall with a ceiling so low that the speaker declared he had no difficulty in touching it with his hand when he .stood up. An iron roof made the conditions very bad in summer. Thero was no ventilation or drainage. The environment was wretched. Ho considered the children should bo taken cut of it ,„-,%! The chief inspector (Mr T. B. Strong) admitted that the condition.-, were not satisfactory, but considered the hall could be used instead of the lean-to. ..,,-, On Mr Joblin's motion it was decided to apply for a school and site, the matter being referred on. to the chief inspector. A USEFUL STABLE. Mr Joblin next referred to a stable in a country district which for the post twenty vears hud been used as the school. On one side the children." ho said, "on the other side are the horses."' A SETTLER'S DISABILITY. Tho third case of educational hardship Mr Joblin referred to concerned a settler s finnilv who lived 64 miles from a school. Tho eldest of the children, aged nine, had not as vet seen a school. One suggestion was that a conveyance should be provided for the children. The chairman.explained m regard to con-royinff-children to schools that 6d per day per pupil was allowed, and the Government also gave a £ for £ subsidy, towards any money subscribed for the purpose. JMght or ten children were conveyed to the 1! eliding school under the arrangement.