WHERE THE MONEY GOES.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 213, 6 September 1916, Page 6

WHERE THE MONEY GOES.

AN INTERESTING RETURN OF MEMBERS' EXPENSES. SUPPLIED TO EDUCATION BOARD. NO UNDUE OUTLAY. There was a moment oi silence at! this morning's meeting of the Auckland Education Board after Mr. F. Brinsden,: a newly-appointed member, moved that the return laid on the table, in accordance with his previous resolution, show-' ing all moneys paid to members of the Board as travelling expenses and allowances for the past two yeans should be handed to the Press. Mr. Brinsden then went on to say that he had asked for the statement because he had made a promise to his supporters prior to his election to the Board that he would obtain the information. Mr. J. D. MoKenzie (the chairman) stated that he had been wondering if it was a revival of an agitation adopted some years go with the object of keeping country members off the Board. Of course that would be impossible now. Country members' expenses were naturally grpp.tor than those of the town representatives. Mr. Brinsden said tlint after seeing tin return ho was satisfied that the expenses paid to t.'ic members were quite reasonable. Sonic of them, especially country members, he had found, gave up a creat deal of time to the business of the lioard. Mr. R. C. Smith (from the Far North) assured the members that lie was always out of pocket after attending a Board meeting- Ho gave up so much of his time in the interests of education that he only averaged about three days a week on his farm. Mr. (i. W. Murray pointed out that the return was a misleading one. It gave no indication of the time spent by Board members in attending to the interests of education, and also did not show how the money was spent. For instance, ihc. £10 4/3 against his name did not represent his computation of the tram faros from Kcnmera —(laughter) — but the cost of a visit of inspection to the East Const. Mr. Jas. Boddie said that, in his position as a newly-elected member, he would b? free from any suggestion ot bias. Ife could say without hesitation that, after looking into the return, he was satisfied that members did not receive any more than their just dues. The publication of the return should serve to show the public that the members were doing the work of the Board for no remuneration, and only bare expense?. It should be made clear also that the expenses included the cost of visits to various schools. Country members often spent nearly half their time ou Board business. (Hear, hear.) Mr. McKenr.ie: 1 have spent from a quarter to a third of my time in the interests of education for the lust twenty years. Mr. Brinsden: I am satisfied that members do not get nearly enough. In my experience of school committees and public bodies all 1 have ever made was three lead pencils. Perhaps 1 struck times when there was not much round. (Laughter.) I .consider that a monument should be erected to men like Mr. Smith, who have to spend so much time away from home. It was agreed that the return be handed to the Press. The return is as follows: — 1014-1916.—Win. Auld. .£127 8/1; E. C. Banks, £151 13/11; C. T. Barriball. £8G 12/3; A. Burns. .€lO3 4/C; G. Edgccumbc (retired August. 1014), £2 2/6: G. .1. Garland. £00 2/10; A. R, Harris, £70 3/9: J. D. McKcnzie. £200 2/11; G. W. Murray. £15 2/3: E. C. Purdie (resigned February, lfll-i). £28 5/8; It. C. Smith (elected April, 1915). £ICI 2/1: sundry conveyances (conveying two or more members), £IC3 6/G; total, £1,204 10/3.