NORTHERN WAIROA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume X, Issue 3752, 19 November 1873, Page 3

NORTHERN WAIROA.

THB EDUCATION ACT. —THE BATE. —SEHIOUB . ACCIDENT. [FBOH OTTB OWN CORRESPONDENT.] A public meeting was held at Mr. Jones's, Whakahara, on Friday last, in order to consider the capitation clause of the Education Act as applying to this district. The cbair was taken by Mr. Jones, chairman of the School Committee.—The Chairman explained that the collector of the education rate had demanded the capitation tax.—The secretary, Mr. read a letter from tho Secretary of tho Board of Education, dated Mav 29, stating, in answer to the committee's application to have various blocks proclaimed an education district, that it was not the intention of the Board to form education districts where itinerant teachers are employed. The Secretary also read the 38th clause of the Act, which exempts all children residing more than three milea frotn any school, Ac.— Air. Dreadon drew attention to ihe letter from the Secretary of tho Board, which he considered as evidence that the Board did not contemplate dealing with this district in liko manner with those where a regular school was established. He contended there was no school here, —not even a half-time one. The instruction given by the teaoher at each station was only one week in eight, and ho did not think either of the eight stations could be considered au established school under the | Act.—The Chairman road a copy of a letter from Mr. H. H. Lusk to Mr. Davis, the rate collector, stating that the plea that the parents had to board and lodge the teacher could not be admitted as the ground of exemption from the capitation ruto.—Mr. Wiußtono here explained that this plea for exemption was new to him, until u few days boforo he was not aware that such a point had been raised. He had not hitherto paid for his board, because he had not been asked to do so ; but he was quite willing to pay any reasonable sum tho committee might fix, rather thau be an obstacle in tho working of the Education Act. —Tho Chairman said ho considered tho demand of the capitation rate was wrong iu principle. —Mr. Paton said ho did not object to ihe Education Act, but if they were to bo taxed equally with people in more settled districts, let them have equal advantages of education.—After some discussion, it was proposed by Mr. Dreadon, and seconded by Mr. Clark, " That tho Secretary write lo tho Board of Education and explain the peculiar circumstances of this district as regards tho 38th clause of the Educatieu Act."—The motion was carried unanimously.—The teacher then suggested that a subscription list be openod for the purpose of giving the children a treat and prizes at Christmas. The suggestion was readily responded to, and nearly all present put down their names.

A meeting of the School Committee was held immediately after the above, the principal business being to fix the amount to be paid by tho teacher for board and residence ; to consider applications for exemption from payment of tho education rate; and to deal with a requisition from the Okuhu settlers for two teaching stations to bo formed on that block. Xt was decided that no new stations bo formed under existing arrangements, and the secretary was instructed to write and inform the Board of Education of tho necessity which exists for iucre ised aid in order to meet the increasing requirements of the district, as tho teaeher has already more thau he can do in tho eight stations now existing, and that these stations would suffer were others formed.

Au accident of a similar nature to that which caused the death of Thomas Kelly a few weeks ago occurred at the same place (Tangowhino bush) on Thursday, 13th inst. The men were

about to return to work after dinner, and some of them jumped upon the empty trucks, which were being drawn up by horses, in order to ride up lo their work. One of them, Jumes Billings, who was standing on the bank iu advance of tho truck jumped on it, but lost his footing and fell ou the tramway in front of tho advancing truck. The horses wero almost immediately Btopped, but not bofore tho axle had passed over Billings, and his leg being uuder his body, ttio weight of tho true* on his shoulders and side pressod on it with such force as to break his t'uigh. He was brought down tho river, and every attention shewu him. The limb has been set as well as could be done in the absence of a doctor, and t-lie sufferer is at present in a hopeful Btate. By the way, there is an opening hero for a good medical practiLioner, Mr. Thompson, of he Australian Mutual Provident Society, having taken our doctor away with him in tho capacity of travelling medical refereo for that Society.