Education funding struggles in New Zealand...in 1874

In the course of preparing for my tour of New Zealand's South Island in January 2014, my interest naturally gravitated toward something called the Trout Hotel in Canvastown. Based on some cursory research, it appears Canvastown is a gold-mining town with a rich and colorful history. And, much like the gold rushes that took place in the Dakotas and California in the US, it appears New Zealand struggled with the rapid development of these towns to provide the proper infrastructure and social supports. Here's a quote from a 1874 report of Marlborough Council, the local county overseeing Canvastown, on the desperate need for funding to build a school:

Mr Douslin moved that His Honour the Superintendent be respectfully requested to place on the Estimates the sum of  120 pounds  for building a school house at Canvastown.They were anxious to have a school at Canvastown, but had not the means to erect one, but they thought that if they had a school they  (the settlers) would be able to raise 80 pounds a year for its support. There were many children  on the diggings and in the immediate neighbourhood of Canvastown. There were  at least 25 but there was no possibility of attending a school at Havelock and he (Douslin)hoped that the  Government would see its way to support this vote.  ... His Honour said he regretted that he was unable to agree to the motion. He was aware of the need for schools in many places but the council was fully committed that year. In future sessions they might be able to do more but at present they were obliged to consider those that were most needed. ... Mr Douslin said it was the intention to provide a small building at Canvastown where children at a distance from Canvastown  could reside. There were some children who had lived there for 8 years and had no means whatever  of getting education. ... The motion was defeated 9 votes to 7.

For all the problems we face today, it's worth remembering that "universal schooling" is a relatively new and radical idea. I wonder how many prospectors made their fortune in Canvastown, but I also wonder what happened to the children who were deprived of any formal education for at least eight years (if not longer).