EDUCATION IN THE BACKBLOCKS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13874, 11 April 1907, Page 4

EDUCATION IN THE BACKBLOCKS.

2?B0U OUE O\VK CORRESPONDENT.) AUCKLAND, April 8. Kvamples of what serious difficulties fare country rattlers in the " our-bael:" districts in the matter of the eclucation'oE their chiklron come Iwforo almost every meeting of Hie Auckland Hoarcl.of Education. One day'it is an appeal on behalf of children who have to wall; over roads that, bog bullock teanv. another clay it is a question of providing'.a ltalf time school in some remote neighbourhood, where half a-dozen children have boon running alrnost wild in the bush, and again the board is called upon to look into a case whore a female teacher is required !>y the exigencies of her work to reside m surroundings that offend every sense. At yesterday's meeting inspector Grierson reported having visited Tirohanga, where thsrc is a building which, instead of being called a school, should have some special name designed for it. The inspector'said: " Xincteen scholars were present in a shed lOJft by 7|ft. built of Mailings, with sft studs, a mud floor, and no ventilation, but■provided by gans he-tween the shingles of the roof. A school building about midway between the present school and t'no beach is urgently needed." The focrotary said tire board was at present awaiting information before recommending to the Department that a grant should be made, for a building.