Teacher’s Hardships

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 640, 17 April 1929, Page 1

Teacher’s Hardships

THAT COROMANDEL HUT Parent Writes to Board THAT the plight of the baekbloeks teacher, who wrote to the Auckland Education Board recently,, was not as depressing’ as appeared at first, was the conclusion reached b.y the board to-day when' it was decided to investigate the case further. The teacher, who occupies an isolated post on the Coromandel Peninsula, had complained of the hardship undrer which he lived. This morning a letter was received from a resident of the district refuting the statements made by the teacher, an extract from which appeared in The Sun on April 5.

'J’HE teacher, in his letter, had applied for a transfer, on the grounds that his residence there was not fit for human habitation. He had been living on tinned fish and biscuits, with only one hot meal a week, which he obtained when he rode 12 miles to Coromandel every Saturday morning, to procure provisions for the week. Acting on the conditions as detailed in the letter—conditions which were confirmed by the local committee —the Education Board decided to write to the Education Department, requesting the department to erect a shanty for the teacher alongside the school. The following was the letter received by the board this morning: Dear Sir, — “With reference to the article in the Bress of April q, re hardship of teacher here. In honour bound to see fair play I wish to state that he is certainly living in two rooms at back of the local store and it was in great disorder when he took them over, as it was taken at a minute’s notice. An energetic person with a scrubbing brush a broom, a pail of water and a few rolls of paper would work wonders. But in the present case our teacher was only one day here when he sent in his resignation, as the place did not suit him. “As the board sent a telegram to the committee that the school would be closed as there was no accommodation for the teacher. I went down and interviewed the teacher and told him to come and board with me. I. said that I had a spare bedroom, phone, wireless, piano, and to give it a month’s trial, and if it did not suit, then it would be time to resign. He said “No,” he wanted to get out—objection too many children and he wanted to study. Yes, I certainly have a large family of 12, but five are away working—three daughters away nursing in public hospitals: seven at home, one 16 years, five attend school and a baby of nearly four years of age. These same children, which would interfere with his studies, are the ones whieh help to keep our teachers in work. If there are no children, then no school would be required. To come down to bedrock, our same teacher owns a

motor-car. As w© have no motor road at present, he cannot use the car, except when he rides over the mountain to Coromandel. "Our local store is always well supplied with food. Over 17 families buy their food from this store—over 100 inhabitants. So surely if the store is able to supply 100 there is enough left for one. He appreciates our kindness to him but the world does not hear him. It is stated in the papers there are natives all around him and he did not want to lodge with them. I may mention here that I am a half-caste and my husband also but the children cannot speak a word of Maori. “I beg to state that there is not a full-blooded Maori here, nearly all are half-caste and three-quarter white, with several families who have a full white father. All are living in nice homesteads. “So any sensible person can see where the trouble lies. We have done, and to do, the best we can in the present case. “We find him a very good and thorough teacher; a great favourite with the pupils. “I may state that I am one of the School Committee here, and every consideration has been shown to the teacher.” “BOARD LITTLE PANICKY” Commenting on the letter, the chairman. Mr. A. Burns, said that the shack would cost £4OO, and it might be left on the board’s hands if the teacher were granted a transfer at the end oC next year, when he could apply for a transfer. Most teachers preferred to board rather than bach. He thought that the board had been a. little panicky when action was taken at the last meeting. He wondered whether or not tho board should reconsider its decision. Mr. James Boddio said it seemed that the board had been a bit precipitate in its action when wanting to show its sympathy for its teachers. lie thought the board should not ask the department to expend that money when the board was in desperate need of it elsewhere. Further speakers thought that nothing more should be done till inquiries had been made on the spot. Accordingly it was decided to send the advisory inspector to the district to investigate conditions.