OTOROHANGA NEWS.

Waipa Post, Volume XII, Issue 944, 20 May 1920, Page 5

OTOROHANGA NEWS.

OUR CLOSED SCHOOLS.

That there is a wave of influenza about in a mild form in various parts of the Dominion is beyond doubt, but there is nothing of the ailment reported in the Otorohanga district, and ’consequently the action of the Education Board in ordering that local schools be kept closed is beginning to get adversely criticised by parents and others. If the schools are to be kept closed it means that our children will be without schooling for an indefinite period, much to their individual detriment and to the cause of education generally. Of course, it is right that the authorities take all precautions to prevent a recurrence of the awful scourge with which the country was visited some eighteen months ago, but is it necessary that “ clean ” districts should suffer by such drastic means as the closing of the schools? Those particularly interested are pointing out the inconsistency of allowing places of entertainment (picture shows, for instance) to remain open whilst schools are ordered to close; and there is much in the argument. Our Otorohanga district school committee has moved in the matter, and at a special meeting ,on Tuesday decided to write to the Public Health Department and call attention to the fact of there being no signs o<f epidemic in the district. The committee suggests that our local schools be re-opened and the education of our children resumed. The committee’s action is to be commended, and shows a live interest on the part of members to the welfare of our children.

GENERAL ITEMS.

The district schools committee had a special- meeting on Tuesday, and discussed the question in connection with the closing of schools owing to the influenza scare, when it was decided to write to the Public Health Department calling attention to the fact of there being no influenza cases in the Otorohanga district, and suggesting that the local schools be reopened, so that the education of the children can be resumed. It was pointed out that the fact that places of entertainment, etc., being allowed to remain open was inconsistent of the precautions taken were for the protection of the community as a whole.

Mr D. Brown, formerly of Wellington, arrived in Otorohanga yesterday and proceeded to Otewa in order to take over the management of the Farmers’ Union Trading Co.’s store there, in succession to Mr Moore. ■'The Huia Football Club will send a strong team to meet Te Awamutu on Saturday, and the match promises to be a most interesting one. Both teams are comprised of hefty and more or less experienced players, and will surely give a good account of themselves.

In connection with the maternity home question, the deputation to wait on the Waikato Hospital Board is to represent the Otorohanga Chamber of Commerce and the Town Board. The gentlemen to form the deputation are Messrs H. Benner and J. W. Seymour. The Kiwis have come and gone, after being favoured with a full house composed of visitors from all parts of the district.- The programme was received with satisfaction, the various items being justly applauded for their merit. The solos and quartettes were a feature of the entertainment, and the comedy items.were much appreciated and provoked roars of laughter. Mr C. N. Millar, who has resigned the .management of the Farmers’ Union Trading Co. here, leaves Otorohanga af the end of the month, and intends taking up his residence at Cambridge, where he assumes the management of the Farmers’ Auctioneering Co.’s local branch.