ROADING IN BACKBLOCKS

Taranaki Daily News, 6 August 1934, Page 6

ROADING IN BACKBLOCKS

URGENCY OF ASSISTANCE. FARMERS’ UNION RESOLUTION. The opinion that the metalling of all clay roads giving access to backblock settlers should be undertaken by the Unemployment Board as a first consideration was expressed at a meeting of the Stratford sub-provincial executive of the Farmers’ Union on Saturday. The suggestion, which came from Mr. M. Davis, Midhirst, and was, put as a resolution to be sent from the executive to the board, received the unanimous support of members of the executive. It was agreed that the matter was very serious and was urgent. There was no discussion on the motion, as it expressed the feeling of the meeting. “If this policy is adopted,” declared Mr. T. T. Murray, chairman, “not one person in New Zealand paying a levy will object.” ■ The suggestion was made as the result of a number of applications for support for the metalling of roads by the board considered by the executive. The metalling of about 2} miles of Mohaka Road between Kiore and Te Wera by relief labour was the object of an application to be made to the Unemployment Board.

The president, Mr. T. T. Murray, reported that the Public Works Department would be able to carry out the work provided funds were forthcoming. Work on the Makuri Road, which had been the subject of representations by the executive of the union, would be proceeded with as the result of an arrangement made between the settlers and the Stratford County Council. There were present at the meeting Messrs. T. T. Murray (chairman), M. Davis (Midhirst), E. W. Hancock (Cardiff), R. G. Grierson and J. Woods (Huiroa), R. V. Cleland (Whangamomona), L. Marfell (Toko), M. P. Ford (Makahu), G. S. Strack (Wharehuia), C. McCutcheon (Whangamomona), N. B. Fryday (Ngaere), J. Cocker (Eltham), J. Corry (Tututawa). A HIGH SCHOOL WANTED ELTHAM COMMITTEE’S MOVE. CHAIRMAN OPPOSES PROPOSAL. Following a motion moved By Dr. D. H. Saunders the Eltham School Committee on Friday resolved to ask the Mayor to call a public meeting with a view to urging the Education Department to establish a district high school at Eltham. The chairman (the Rev. J. A. Ryburn) expressed opposition to the proposal and voted against the motion, stating he could see no good as far as the children were concerned.

Dr. Saunders thought there was a feeling among parents that a district high school should be established at Eltham. Eighty-one pupils journeyed to Stratford High School - id he considered the distance was too great without some form of supervision-, and then the walk to the school was too far, so that Eltham pupils could not take part in sports. It was not right that grown-up children should have to idle about the streets in Stratford, he’’ said, and Eltham could support such a school of its own instead of playing second fiddle to Stratford. The country children were handicapped by having to go such distances to high school at Stratford, and he considerel that if a high school was established in Eltham, pupils from Kaponga and other outlying districts could be tapped and the cost of those pupils going to Stratford reduced and a better opportunity afforded them in their education. Mr. Towers considered the proposal a good move in the interests of the town and the children’s welfare. Major Perry thought more pupils would attend an Eltham High School than the number at present journeying to Stratford. The chairman said he looked at the proposal from the point of view of the education of the children and he could not see what benefit could be gained because, he contended, the teaching at a small high school would not be proficient to the extent of that of the Stratford High School. He said it would mean that only certain subjects would be taught, and the grade of the Stratford High School would be lowered, consequently the children on the whole would suffer. He had spoken to a number of teachers and he had been informed by them that they could not teach all subjects as they should be taught. Science, in particular, should have proficient teaching and, in fact, a specialising teacher, and as far as distance was concerned he believed that there was a difficulty, but that in either case would remain more or less. In his opinion the children were the first consideration and in the interests of Central Taranaki children the proposed Eltham high school would not be an advantage. PLAZA THEATRE, STRATFORD. MARIE DRESSLER IN ‘PROSPERITY.’ One of the last pictures to be made by Miss Marie Dressier, who died at Hollywood last week, “Prosperity, which will be finally screened at the Plaza to-night. Miss Dressier is supported by Polly Moran. The story, written especially for the popular comedy team, is laid in a small town and depicts the amusing events which follow upon the marriage of Anita Page and Notman Foster, a union which brings about an intense rivalry between the respective mothers-in-law. Things are bad enough when they live apart, but when thd depression necessitates their sharing one home together, fur flies and the fun gets fast and furious. No Marie Dressier picture is without its share of stirring, character work, and in this instance it revolves about Miss Dressier’ efforts to save her sons reputation by a tragic attempt to collect on her insurance.