MINISTERIAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2501, 14 May 1909, Page 5

MINISTERIAL.

VISIT TO THE SCHOOLS

The Hon. R. McKenzie, Minister for Public Works, with the Hon. Captain Tucker, M.L.C.. Mr. WJ D. S. MacDonald, M.P., Messrs C. A. deLautuor, W. Morgan, G. Darton, E. H. Mann, A. F. Matthews, and other gentlemen visited the Gisborne. High School and Public School yesterday morning. At the High School the party were met by Mr. Gatland, and shown the various classes at work. The cookery room wts visited, where the... girls were seen at work making steak ajjd kidney ‘ pies, and then the party entered the carpenters’ shop, where the boys were at work. Mr. F. J. Rowley, headmaster, met the Minister at the Public School, and escorted the visitors though the various class rooms, after which a visit was paid to the educational reserve in Stanley Road, which the High School Board of Governors desire to be vested in the Board as a school site. The Board of Governors, at the last mooting, adopted a local Bill' for presentation to Parliament with that end in view, and the clauses of the Bill wore explained to Mr. McKenzie by the Chairman of tho Board (Mr. C. A. deLautour). SCHOOL AT THE RAILWAY . , WORKS. In the afternoon the Minister for Public Works received a deputation, introduced by Mr. W. D. S. MacDonald, M.P., to ask that the Hawke’s Bay Education Board might receive assitance from- the Government to establish a school at the railway construction works camp. Mr. Morgan explained that they had been deputed by the Board to represent to the Minister that there were from 30 to 40 children of school age amongst the families employed on the works, but for whom there was no school between Rakauroa and Te Karaka, and the children were consequently running wild. It was suggested that the Public Works Department might sujiply a building that could be carted on as required, as they understood had' been done on.the Main Trunk line, and the Education Board would undertake to provide the teacher. * Mr. G. E. Darton supported the request, and added that some of the workmen at present had really to keep two homes going, as they were unable, owing to the absence of a school, to 1 their families along with them; t; que:it!v lucre was much discontent. The ’uoviu.ng n a .velioo'. would thus be beneficial to the Pumie \\ orks Deo m.ment :;s •..•oil. Only a rough iron bunding, lined, was required. 111 reply, the Minister said he considered the request was a reasonable one, and lie thought provision should be made for such a : chool. It was not within his province, as Minister for Public Works, to provide school buildings, but on his return to Wellington lie would place the matter before bis colleagues, and get over it in come way. Ho suggested that one of the platelayer’s cottages to bo erected at Otoko might bo used, or an empty shed at Waikohu st.-.liou carted up for the purpose. He would undertake to got -provision mdo some way or other. The Minister also 'suggested that it might be arranged to get a teacher accommodation with the official stall' of tile Department. Mr. Morgan thanked the Minister lor his favorable reply. The Hon. Mr. McKenzie added- that he was pleased to be of service, as this was the first case of the kind that had come under his notice.

During the afternoon the Hons. Carroll and McKenzie visited the Gisborne Bow-ling Club’s green, after having a look around the town. The evening was spent attending to Departmental correspondence.

DEPUTATIONS FOR THIS MORNING.

Trie Hons. R. McKenzie with the Hon. J. Carroll will receive a number of deputations at 10.30 o’clock this morning in the Borough Council Chambers. The most important deputation will be from the East Coast Railway League, and the members will urge upon the Ministers the necessity of pushing on the railway to tap the timber forests at Rakauroa. Mr. W. J. P. Gandin (secretary of the League) states that the policy of that body is not concerned with the question of route. It is a matter of indifference to the League whether the line connects with Waihi or Rot-orua. The cliiof object is to tap the Motu, and as long as the line goes by any route to Auckland the League will be satisfied. This evening both Ministers will attend the Mayoral dinner at Mr. W. D. Lysnar’s residence, Wliataupoko.