CHILDREN ARE KEPT AWAY FROM SCHOOL

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6920, 28 May 1929, Page 10

CHILDREN ARE KEPT AWAY FROM SCHOOL

PARENTS FINED. Two parents were brought before tho Palmerston North Magistrate's Court yesterday, charged with failing to send, their children regularly to school. When 31. C. Blackwell, of Long Melford road, answered his name, he explained that his boy had been absent but with a cause. He had a inedica 1 certificate. Mr. Stout S.M.: A bit late, isn't itl Defendant stated in reply that it was too costly to be always getting medical certificates. Mr J. W. liutherford, who prosecuted on behalf of tho Education Department, stated that Blackwell had been prosecuted last year on a similar charge. The trouble was defendant would not. till in the forms sent, round to him, nor had he. seen the headmaster nor given any explanation as to the child's absence. Last, year defendant stated he couldn't afford medical certificates, but it cost nothing to fill in tho form sent him. A year ago he was told to get the child examined and the medical officer had found the boy quite fit to attend school, although at the time ho was absent lie might not have been. The prosecution wag brought mainly because it was considcicd the boy was not getting tho attention he should. The Magistrate (to defendant): Are you prepared to carry out the Department’s suggestion? Defendant: It might be in the intercuts of the boy himself. The only trouble is the cost. Mr Rutherford explained that, tho hospital made no claim upon pcopla who were not in a position to pay. Tho lad had been absent 44 times this year without excuse or reason. His Worship adjourned the ease fol a month in order to give defendant a chance to carry out the Department’s advice. A. fine of 10s with 10s costs was imposed on Joe Johnson, of Matipo s-treet Mr Rutherford stated that Johnson had been prosecuted twice boforo and lined. The child had been absent 9B times in tho last 12 months and had not been ill. The boy was .13 years of age and only in Standard 3. The worst feature was that the father used the lad fol hawking purposes from house to house