OVERCROWDING IN SCHOOLS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 13, 16 January 1905, Page 6

OVERCROWDING IN SCHOOLS.

o THE ALLOCATION- OF BUILDING VOTES. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) NEW PLYMOUTH, Friday. A matter of some interest to edueapation boards was mentioned (at an interview to-day between the Premier and the chairman of the Waitara School Committee. The chairman referred to overcrowding of the local school. The Premier said Parliament had given the education boards » much larger grant this year for building purposes. Each board got its share. according to schedule of requirements supplied at the request of the Department, and the money was handed over by the Government on the understanding that it would be used to meet urgent cases. He ;•.«ked what use were the boards at all? The Government must rely on their --..tiding money wisely, or else the I ople would want to know if they -hould be done away with altogether. ! he.proportion of votes for these purposes was considerably in excess of the increases in population during those years. If there was overcrowding the Hoard was to blame and public opinion -hould be brought to bear on it. This would result in Parliament ultimately insisting upon the building fun being allocated by the Government itself. There was a large sum. approaching £ 100.000. voted, and the Minister responsible to Parliament had no say in its disposal. This was contrary to recognised constitutional practice. He recommended the committee to ask ihe Board for an explanation. He would also ask the Board himself for an explanation.