School Matters in Oteramika.

Southland Times, Issue 13503, 21 July 1896, Page 4

School Matters in Oteramika.

TO TIIE EDITOR. SIR, — The local correspondent of the Witness puts himself forward as one capable cf directing the educational affairs and requirements of this district, and says that on account of five sawmills being about to start operations at Kapuka the Oteramika school should be closed, a new one be erected at Kapuka, and the teacher at Oteramika use his ability at the new school. Lot me point out to him that iu tho first place the O.eramika school could not be closed without depriving the majority of the children practically of the means of education, and that whatever number of children may eventually settle round these mills, at present there is nothing like sufficient to support a school, and consequently the discussion of the subject is premature. In any case a sawmilling population is a migratory one ond not a substantial basis upon which to calculate a school attendance. Many instances could be given of this in places where sawmills were once in operation, but now that the timber is cut out the population iias disappeated. Oteramika school is at present in the most central part cf the district to meet the requirements of the majority of the children who do not attend Waituna school, hence some better reason for closing the Otertrn ka school must be shown than those put forward by the Witness’ correspondent. As regards the remark to the tffect that the school is in a dilapidated condition : the writer is not acquainted with our school and has mistaken the old stable for the school; either that or bis idea of the requirements of a school building is a very extravagant one, for I may inform him that the school has lately been renovate! and is now very suitalle for the requirements of this district. The writer evidently anticipated that bis remarks would bring criticimi, but, nevertheless, needlessly makes statements that at once expose the absurdity of his contention. With more experience he will doubtless be more careful before rushing to print with every new ilea that may enter his mind.—l am. &c.. Resident. Oteramika, 13th July.