EDUCATION IN BACKBLOCKS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17294, 18 October 1919, Page 13

EDUCATION IN BACKBLOCKS.

I i Sir,—l notice from time to time in ti..- | biui-d letters containing complaints i<I education. I would like to fur is l : yon-, | oi my town friends with r. '-w ir.ci? '.>.r | lv to be confronted. it ever tliev r.'.ten,! ' ito obtain any sati*:';.ct inn a.rcfrau'.education in the back block-. V. .• are a community of "-cttier- i.hi?:lv «.;i tii>\ernment loud. situated at- .'.i.varo v.' ! igr.there are 23 children .-sad v in need «■: j education These children's ages ran""* from io year? do* ward*. and -some <•' them brought up m *hi* d-;n c have had no schooling .it ail. ~x?er' the co« sparking variety, in which 'hev ,ire. hrient, mor<» shame. I wrof" t.he Ed i cation authorities about months »"•-> and the result w ».< a meeting was called of the settlers to meet. .Mr. £_ C. Banks at Ngawaro to dis,•.,?.* schix.l matters i the meeting duly took place, and a fa.r . number of settle.rs robed up. I*' at Last receive some sati.-faction. s-eein:: they were to interview the chairman . J the Auckland Education Board. "Mr. | Banks thoroughly went into the matter and agreed something must be dor.?, and suggested the Minister of Educat on b*i approached for a grant of £o0 toward* the cost of materia! to erect a school. ! promised to erect the school, .11: i ; v >d any additional money required, th.» o?h<M settlers present promising to assist. \j ;t : ters rolled on for months. i next, r*w Mr. Banks at Ngongotaha one. day. and ! tic admitted matters, were pro/ceding slowly, but as he was then on his w« to Wellington, he would see the Minister and hurry proceedings alone:. The Mi-: ister for Evocation tier advised his ini spector to report, and alter some considerable -erable time, I was advised by the Auckland Education Board the inspector ha 1 1 reported favourably, that his report had i teen forwarded to the Minister, and that ! I would be notified later. Receiving no ..word for some time, I wrote again to Auckland, and received word kick thai the Minister was nrrt quite satisfied with my report, via., was not one child 15 years of age, and therefore to a great extent to be disregarded ? This child has . had no schooling, and is to lv>. verv [ much regarded, T replied. Another item , was that it appeared if Mr. — left the , district the school would not be required. l 1 replied if we all leave the district •, there certainly would bs no necessity . for a school. Now. town dwellers, be- . fore you advocate swimming baths, higher x education, cinematograph pictures, etc., 5 insist that all children must' be educated. and that they must not be left to be made a slaves of without education. E. Sttwabt, Local Manager, WJaatarc a H d."* School. f