STRATFORD NEWS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 11828, 27 November 1901, Page 2

STRATFORD NEWS.

'FRQM OUR RESIDENT AGHENT.) November 26.— The school examinations were finished on 'Friday last, and ,Jn spite, of fears to the contrary Stratford has upheld its reputation. Considering the great interruption to school work caused by the influenza and measles epidemic this speaks VbJUiines - for the efficiency of the _sta,ff. The attendance has now reQpvorjed from the slump, the average ooing-415 out of a possible 490. The new School Attendance Act was considered by. the School Committee thjs evening, and was pronounced a great improvement upon its predecessor. Tho compulsory school age is raised to 14 years, and the distance limit, entitling to an exemption certificate, to three miles. This latter is the walking distance, allowing for any part of the journey that may be made by public conveyance. Failing an cx>emptiom certificate, which on certain conditions may be granted by the chairman, and another member of a committee or by a head teacher, every child between the ages of seven and fourteen must attend school four times in every week the school is open six times, six times when it opens eight, and eight times when it opens ten. Under the old Act in a, week when the school was open .less than 9 times there was no power to compel attendance at all. " Efiicjcnl, and regular instruction elsewhere" is defined as meaning instruction as efficient and regular as provided at public schools, and the onus of proof that a child is receiving such is ; thrown upon the parent The maximum penalty for irregular attendance is increased to ten shillings for every week. * Th 2 Mounted Bines narrowly escaped disaster on Sunday moraine 2i£j*Sfr ♦ lf *S llolp horses teing cap! SESi J^V* 6 8 was attending ri^JV^' A diflfer ence of opi'J*n.i£?«^t ho "#* of Possession of «?£^?^^u Wjlich had been picketed wj&fc the origin of the trouble. , ;It took some diplomacy on the ria,rt of the olttcor commanding 'to -salve the" situation.