WMANGAMOMONA.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16507, 7 August 1919, Page 5

WMANGAMOMONA.

TKOII OUK OWN CORRESPOND JiNZ. Sir. T. Taylor, local observer, gives tho following report on weather conditions at Wfiaugamomona (oliir.) T'rom Ist to 23rd conditions were moist, bur mild for July, rainfall ranging from a trace to 1.16 m., tlio latter part of tho month was very cold owing to tlio strong south-east wind; ram roll on -3 days, maximum fall, l.ldiu on Ist; total fail G.Odin. Seven frosts wore registered. iho corresponding month ,a»t year gave 9.17 m and 16 trusts, and for tho period ending July 31 52.42 in; lor me same, period this year the total rainfall is 29. bin, which is below tlio avi rago for (irovious years. The Catholic Churcn is rapidly nearing completion, tho painters being busy blushing the outskle. It is hoped i-u use tho building for worship next .Sun-nay, but tho odleial opening and consecration is not to take place until early in October, when tho weather will lie more promising—and incidentally tuo train service. 'Tho football dub held another successful social and dance last Tuesday. 'Tho club is now in a good financial position, but has been unfortunate on the homo field. Toko failed to appeallast week, forfeited tho match and disappointed tho assembled spectators, wiiile the club was beaten by Strathmore .previously. Tho secretary expects the long-looked-for jerseys lor use daring tlio next match. A flash of colour will certainly make tho games more spectacular and loss like. • ‘scratch ” matches.

Tins Whangamoniona School Committee arc rinding fault with tho portion of tlio Jiducation act dealing with board allowance to children, and the point was discussed at considerable length during tnoir last meeting. The point at issue certainly shows clearly now country residents are inconvenienced in many cases at least in the education ol choir children. Several farmers reside in AVhangamomona for the solo purpose of sending their children to school and some; (Jo so at considerable inconvenience, for their real homo is several miles away; other children board, and tho department allows so much per day for theue, and they belong to a largo family wnose parents aro also coming into the township, for they cannot got board for the remainder. The headmaster informs tho committee that board allowance ceases tho moment tho mother commences housekeeping here. The point is, are noi all these people morally entitled, if not legally, to help, for expenses are Increased, not reduced, for two homes arc required instead of tone? Some of these people have already made some financial sacrifice, for they erected a small building to servo as a school, but it was difficult to procure a teacher for one so small. The local school committee cannot see why tho allowance is withheld when the mother comes in to look after tho children. If it wore a private or denominational school tho case would wear a different aspect. It does not follow cither that because the sacrifice is made tho parents can afford it—all cannot . The question is certainly well worth the raising, for it opens up a wide* field, too wide to be discussed here, but vital, nevertheless, for all children arc entitled by right to a primary education, and some country children cannot get it. For those who dosiro a secondary course tho same handicap presents itself, and the child of tho ordinary working man living in the country is practically debarred, for the expense is too groat when it is necessary for him to leave home.