SEPARATE EDUCATION BOARD.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 365, 15 March 1902, Page 4

SEPARATE EDUCATION BOARD.

(To the Editor of the Times)

Sir, —I hoar that there is a movement on foot amongst the East Coasters to have a separate Education Board to themselves. Geographically we are connected neither with Auckland nor Howke’s Bay, aud in a sort of “ No Man’s Land ” we can scarcely expect that justice meted out to us which as Britons we have a right to. Our severe isolation causes us many inconveniences, and brings with it very many disadvantages. In many public matters we are literally disfranchised, and in none more so than in educational matters. It may be urged that the Hawke’s Bay Board of Education are able men, but have they any interest in common with us ? Have we a single representative on that body ? If not, why ? Simply because of our isolation ; and that may be remedied by this being declared a separate educational district having its headquarters at Gisborne, which will soon be as large as Napier. “If Mahomet cannot be taken to the mountain, then the mountain must be taken to Mahomet.” Gisborne and Wairoa with their surroundings have a distinct common interest, and I am certain there is no lack of ability among their inhabitants to make the composition of the proposed Board equal in all rospeots to that of other Boards which obtain throughout this colony. It may be said that on the score of expense it is undesirable to divide our present district, but the Hawke's Bay Board must have realised that through the isolation referred to this part of the district is expensive to work. It has been pointed out time and again that our Inspector, Mr Hill, is really one of the hardest worked officers in the Inspectorate, and ofttimes the work done by him is perforce hurriedly done, therefore this new creation could not but ease him. It is true that the number of schools in this new district would not be much over 20, but in those of Marlborough and Grey there are not many more, and while those are old-settled districts and therefore not likely to increase at a galloping ratio, our district is being developed at such a rate that it must of necessity double its numbers in a very few years. The office expenditure could bo kept low for a few years by obtaining the services of a gentleman who could act as Inspector and secretary combined. I write as one “ who has no axe to grind,” but whose desire is to seo justice done to a hitherto neglected yet important portion of His Majesty’s dominions. Recent events point to the fact that the time is opportune for such agitation, and trusting that the “consummation devoutly to be wished for ” way eventuate. —I am, etc., ' Wairoa.