MINISTERIAL VISIT.

Waipa Post, Volume VI, Issue 303, 3 April 1914, Page 1 (Supplement)

MINISTERIAL VISIT.

OFFICIAL OPENING OF DISTRICT SCHOOLS.

BY HON. JAMES ALLEN

After inspecting the Putaruru school on Tuesday morning, the Hon. James Allen, Minister of Finance, Defence, and Education, accompanied by Mr J. A. Young, M.P. for Waikato, proceeded to Waotu, where he was met at the native school by a large assemblage of residents. Mr W. Barnett welcomed the visitors to Waotu, and said it was the first occasion on which the district had been honoured by a visit from a Minister of the Crown.

Mr Allen responded, and also addressed a few encouraging words to the children, who, on the Minister’s request, were granted a holiday in honour of the occasion.

The party afterwards lunched at Mr Barnett’s residence as the guests of the settlers. Mr A. T. Ashley, in proposing the health of the Minister, said the Massey Government was giving every satisfaction. Its policy was the right one for the country settler.

Mr Allen, in reply, said the Government was doing its best for the country. Mr Massey and Mr Herries had the one foremost idea, and that was to settle the country and assist in its development. ■

Mr Shute appreciatively proposed the-’health of Mr Young, who suitably replied. Mr Allen proposed the health of the host and hostess (Mr and ; Mrs Barnett). WAOTU DEPUTATIONS.

The matter of suitable grants for the road from the Waipa Bridge to Waotu, on the main Putaruru road, and the main Taupo road from the Waikato river bridge to Waotu were asked for by Mr A. T. Ashley, who also urged that a light line of railway should be made from Putaruru to the Main Trunk line of railway at either Kawa or Te Awamutu.

Mr Barnett pointed out that he and others had a private trial survey made from Waotu to Putaruru, and it was eleven miles, with the steepest grade only I in 36. A span of 35 feet would bridge the Waikato River near Pukeatua.

Mr Shute urged the claims of Waotu to Lichfield road for money for formation and grading. This was part of the main road from Kihikihi to Taupo and Napier. Mr Allen, in reply, said he would send their requests for grants for their roads on to the Minister for Public Works. The public works vote is not available for repairs but for construction, grading and first metalling of roads. Re the railway he could not'hold out much hope at present, but he would put their business before the Cabinet. Messrs Te Hana and Teri Paehua, of theNgati Hinga, complained that their interest in certain lands in the Wharepuhanga block had been vested by tlm Stoul-Ngara Commission in the Maori Land Board without their authority. They disapproved of this, and desired the land vested in their own hands to be dealt with as they please. They thought the time was ripe for the abolition of the special Maori representation in Parliament. They wished to be in the same position as the Pakeha. Mr Young suggested as the matters asked for were such' as would require legislation, that they petition Parliament. He agreed to send along the necessary papers.

The Minister urged them to adopt Mr Young’s suggestion, which the deputation agreed to do.

The reception given the Minister and member was very hearty and they left for Pukeatua amidst hearty cheering.

TAUTARI SCHOOL OPENED. The new school at Pukeatua recently erected by the Auckland Education Board was officially opened by the Hon. Minister at 3 p.m. in the presence of a large number of settlers. The Ministerial party was welcomed to the district bv Mr F. Kurth (chairman of the School Committee, who in fitting terms expressed the hope that the district would again be honored with a visit by the Minister at no far distant date.

Addresses were delivered by Mr Young and Mr Allen, the latter congratulating the residents on the energy that they had shown in the erection of the old school building, some three years ago, and also complimented them on the acquisition of the new building. He spoke of the opportunities offering nowadays to obtain proficiency at the primary schools and higher education at the secondary schools. The difficulties of the country teachers were mentioned, and he commended them for their enthusiasm which enabled them to carry on their work. Mr Allen asked for sympathy for the teachers as a recognition of their bilities and earnest wish was tha.®/ nuld prosper.

handed round, and were very much appreciated.

TAUTARI DEPUTATIONS.. Messrs F. Kurth, H. F. Saunders, and J. Fisher urged the need of railway connection between Putaruru and the Main Trunk. The heavy cost of carting manures made farming an expensive business. A railway would greatly assist production. The need of a direct road to Cambridge, which was their nearest town (14 miles if they had a road open), was very much felt. Te Awamutu was 19 miles away, and every mile of cartage saved was a consideration to the busy farmer. It was stated That a Government surveyor (Mr Phillips) surveyed a road some 20 years ago. The deputation asked for the expenditure of the grant for opening a road from Waotu bridge to Puketurua, also for the completion of the small bridge at Kauwhio. A question on load ing the district for scenic reserves was asked.

Mr Allen replied that so far as the l'ailway was concerned, if private people in the district desired to build it, as suggested by the deputation, they could do it under the legislation passed last session. He recognised how much they depended on manures, and for the present he urged them to get their member to worry Parliament to authorise the line. At present the Government was spending more than formerly on railway construction and additions and improvements to open lines. The burden was heavy. He would inquire about the Cambridge road,. If the Puketurua vote had lapsed he would undertake to authorise its reinstatement. He would ask Mr Massey to expedite the Kauwhoi bridge. In regard to scenic reserves he did not think this was charged on the land but came out of a special account.

Before leaving cheers were given for Mr Allen and the member for the district. The party arrived at the homestead of Mr and Mrs Andrew Kay, at Orakau, at about 6 p.m,, where they were entertained to tea.

KORAKONUI SCHOOL OPENED.

On Thursday the new school at Korakonui was officially opened at 10 a.m., there being a large number of settlers present on that occasion.

Mr B. Beckerleg, as the Education Board’s representative, extended a very hearty welcome to the Minister "for Education and to Mr J. A. Young, M.P. He went on to describe the early settlement and progress of the district, and made mention of the time, three years ago, when the settlers had erected their own school building which at that time had to accommodate seven or eight pupils. The progress of tl'te district was evidenced by the fact that over 50 children now attended the school. Pie hoped that the settlers would soon have to ask tor further accommodation to house an increased number of scholars.

Mr G. Sturgess, president of the District Farmers’ Club, in an appropriate speech, expressed pleasure at the visit of the Ministerial party. He held the opinion however that a residence for the teacher was very necessary, and directed attention to the fact that housing accommodation would have t) be provided. Mr T. A. Young, M.P., was greeted with prolonged applause on rising to address those present and to welcome the Hon. Mr Allen to the district. He first apologised for the unavoidable absence of Mr G. Edgecumbe, member of the Auckland Education Board. Mr Young was pleased to see so many present, and also to witness the great development and progress of the district. He exhorted the children to take advantage of the education offered them, and to learn to obey and respect those whose mission it was to teach and train them. The settlers had a duty to perform in the development of the country districts, and the State had a duty to perform to those setters in the provision of educational facilities. He referred to the difficulties of providing proper facilities for the education of the children in newly settled districts, and it often happened that the people of such districts were prepared to assist themselves, and, with the further assistance of the Government, obtain proper facilities for the teaching of their children. Korakonui was such a district, and the old school building erected by the settlers three years ago stood as a monument to mark the enterprise of those settlers. Mr Young referred in eulogistic terms to the good work done by Mrs Givern, the first teacher in the district. In would be unfair to expect her to continue her duties in that capacity under the growing requirements of the district, which would naturally mean to her a great sacrifice of time. He welcomed the new teacher to the district, and addressed a few words to the children.

Hon. James Allen, who was •eeted "'With cheers, heartily pleasure at beThere waMtt

a new school was decided evidence of prosperity, and as the further progress of the district warranted it he would be glad to assist in the matter of increased accommodation at the school. Mr Allen congratulated the settlers upon the existence of a Farmers’ Club in their midst, which would play an important part in the district’s development. He noted with pleasure that educational facilities were being provided in so many newly-settled localities. He fully recognised the need of this being done, and made brief reference to the fact that the sum voted upon the estimates last year for educational purposes exceeds that of any previous year by £25,000. The school was erected on a site of about six acres. He noted with pleasure the settlers’ commendable action of three years ago in making provision by the erection of a school for the education of their children, and, with Mr Young, paid high tribute to the splendid work done by Mrs Girven. The speaker was not aware that representations had hitherto been made for the erection of a teacher’s residence. With so many districts being settled the claim for new schools was very great, and it was therefore necessary that residences be erected only in those districts where it was found absolutely necessary to do so. He assured those present that any representations made would ,be properly considered. After commenting upon the responsibilities of the teacher and addressing a few remarks to the children, Mr Allen declared the building, which would be known as the Korakonui school, officially open, and requested that a full holiday be granted the children in honour of the occasion.

Those present were' then assembled and a photograph of the school taken by Mr F. J. Gilbert, after which luncheon, which had been provided by the ladies in the new school building, was partaken of, at the conclusion of which the following toasts were honoured : The Minister for Education, proposed by Mr Sturgess ; Mr J. A. Young, M.P., proposed by Mr W. R. Lawry ; and Messrs G. Sturgess and B. Beckerleg, proposed by Hon. Mr Allen. Dr Reekie, on behalf of the visitors, thanked the ladies for their hospitality. DEPUTATIONS AT KORAKONUI. Messrs J. Pratt, Austin, J. L. Boyd, Trudgeon, and G. Lorimer, on behalf of the Wharepuhanga settlers asked that the Hon. Mr. Allen place before the Hon. Minister for Public Works the matter of issuing authority for the expenditure of £SOO, being subsidy for road works between Wharepuhanga and Korakonui. The settlers had expended £SOO upon this road. This the Minister, although not aware_of the circumstances, promised to do. The same gentleman asked that several settlers be exempted from service in the territorials, so as to enable the formation of a district defence rifle club. The Minister pointed out that this matter was governed by set regulations, and he would make full enquiries, and communicate with Mr Young. It was also urged that the site set apart for education purposes be properly vested in the Education Board, and that a new school be erected in the district. The Minister promised to confer with the Commissioner of Crown Lands with reference to the title to the school site, and also pointed out that requests for new schools must first have the recommendation of the Education Board. The need of an accommodation paddock near the Kawa cross road was mentioned. It was agreed that the settlers locate a site and advise MrYoung accordingly, who would communicate with the Hon. Minister for Lands. Messrs. B. Beckerleg, F. Walker, and W. R. Lowry (Korakonui), urged that one or two sections in the locality be made available for settlement. Their representations would be forwarded to the Hon. Minister for Lands.

It was further urged that the £IOO voted for road works on the Mangaorongo - Kawa road be authorised. This would be referred to the Hon. Minister for Public Works.

All the deputations throughout the tour were introduced by Mr. J. A. Young, M.P.