MAINTAINING TEACHERS' DWELLINGS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXV, Issue 169, 17 July 1894, Page 5

MAINTAINING TEACHERS' DWELLINGS.

MR UDY QUOTES FIGURES

An informal discussion took place afc the meeting of the Education Board to-day regarding the question of maintenance charges for teachers' dwellings. The Raglan Committee wroto protesting against the proposal, as did also the Woodside School Committoe. On the other hand the Ponsonby Commibtee and tho Paterangi Committoo senb letbers approving the Board's action. Later on thei Chairman of the Board asked Mr Woodward whether he purposed moving his motion, "For a vote to be taken aa to charge for teachers' residences." Mr Woodward eaid Mr Moat was absenb, and ho would prefer the matter to be dealt with by a full Board. Mr Wilding referred to the meeting held afc Cambridge, and asked if the Mr Wells who spoke there was a teacher. The Chairman replied thab Mr Wells was not, but ho was very nearly connected with bhe teaching profession. He believed Mr Wells was Mayor of Cambridge, and had bi.en, if he was nob at prese.it, Chairman of th. School Committee. Mr Luke said Mr Wells was an intimate friend of his. He considered that gentleman was quite within his rights in whab he said. Mr Muir said thero appeared to be an organised effort to upset* the action of the Board. They heard Mr Wells using certain language which was repeated by Mr Woodward, a member of the Board. They wore tc,ld the Minister of Education was against them. If he was then all he could say was thab the Minister for Education should have a better memory, and nob try to be agreeable to both sides. The Minister ought to have more backbone. He was sorry to have to suy that about a Liberal Minister. The Chairman expressed sorrow thab a man occupying the position Mr Wells did should make such rash statements as those which he wa9 reported to have used. He thought that Mr Wells should be pub right, and he would like Mr Woodward's motion to como on in order to furnish an opportunity to place tbe true state of affairs before the public. Mr Wells had stated thab in threo years tho Bo_ird had taken £10,000 from the teachers' salaries fund and devoted ib to other purposes. Now, that statement was without foundation. Ib was truo ib had been changed from one account to another, but the money was the accumulation of a number of yoars. This matter had .sen decided upon t'ae recommendation of the Finance Commibtee, consisting of four members of tho Board, and then the report was adopted by the Board. Mr Woodward asked if no notice was to be takon of Sir R. Stoutfa opinion upon the matter. Mr Lambe said that Sir R. St?oufc*s opinion could nob havo been given upon a fairly stated cas?. The charge had unfairly been called rent, and Mr Wells had made capital oub of the term. The Chairman said he would like fco give a few figures to show tho true po.itioa of affairs. Tha Board had 162 teachers with residences attached to their schools. Xh&so dwellings were estimated to ba worth* £23,150, though they originally cost ■ about £10,000 m->re. The average! salaries of the 162 teachers with J residences was £147 ss. There were no j houses attached to the city schools. Tbere were also in the country 128 teachers with-1 out residences, also 150 assistant, teachers. The average salary of the 123 teacher« ■ without residences was £89 17s 3d, and \ all tbe Board asked was bhftb those who had residences should contribute towards the repairs. Was ib fair and just for teachers in the country, with an average salary of £89 17s 3d to contribute towards those who bad more salary and dwellings also ? Yet that was. whab ib amonnted to, and the Board wished to equalise matters a littla. Mr Woodward was then allowed to hold over _m motion.