MR MASKELL AND THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

Press, Volume XXIV, Issue 3223, 30 December 1875, Page 3

MR MASKELL AND THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE PBBSS. 6iß,—Mr Maskell is reported to have said -at hi§ meeting at Ashley Bank as follows :— "He was totally opposed to the nominated fystemin any administrative body. So in- - dependent was the late Board, that its chairman on two separate occasions distinctly refuted to give any explanation whatever of what was considered by the Government unnecessary expenditure." The first occasion on which the Board had any correspondence with the Government regarding the expenditure was when the . auditor returned a voucher for £70 te the Provincial Secretary for repairs to Russell's Flat school " for reconsideration." In returning the vonchersto the Provincial Secretary I offered to furnish any information the "• Government required on the subject. The . following is the correspondence which took .place;— Endorsed on the Board's voucher for £70:— ." For the Provincial Government. "This voucher appears to mc to need some explanation. This school was built about twelve months ago, and there has been paid already, in October last, £62 17s Id, on account of repairs, and now again in six months £70 is needed for a like purpose. " Referred for reconsideration. "(Signed) "J. Ollivier, l \ Provincial Auditor. "9—3—75." " Board of Education, ... •« Christchurch, 13th March, 1875. ■ ■■-■ " The Provincial Secretary. " Sir,—l have the honor to return the ■voucher for Enssell's Flat school, which has -endorsed thereon a minute from the Provincial Auditor, without comment. " The voucher was left at this office by a ■clerk .without remark. ' "If you desire any information regarding any item of expenditure sanctioned by the Board or myself on its behalf, I shall be happy to furnish it. •' I have the honor to be, Sir, •• Your obedient servant, " (Signed) " John Inglis, " Chairman." " Forward to* chairman of Board of Education, who is requested to be good enough to fOrnish such explanation in reference to this voucher as he may consider the minute ■of the Auditor requires. "(Signed) "E. Jollie. "16—3—75." "For the Provincial Secretary. "1 am at a loss to understand why the Provincial Auditor should require any explanation. If the amount had not been sanctioned by the Board, I would not have signed the voucher. "(Signed) "John Inglis, " Ohairaian." "Does the Provincial Secretary consider the above a sufficient answer to my objection ? The Board of Education has, I am perfectly aware, sanctioned the expenditure, bat I apprehend when explanations are required, the Board, as all individuals, .should furnish it. I leave it for the Provincial Secretary to determine. " (.Signed) " J. Oi/ltvier, " Provincial Auditor; «13_3_75.». At this stage the Provincial Secretary held communication with the office of the HJoard of Education, and obtained the iafor'Zoation he required, "I have enquired into this expenditure, ■and I am satisfied that it was required. The repairs were' tendered for, and were necessary on account of the chimney being blown down and the building shifted off the ipiles by a severe north-wester. "(Signed) "E.Jollie. «31_3_75.' .The public will form its own judgment as to the propriety of the Provincial Auditor referring any voucher " for reconsideration" if the amount was within the vote of the "Provincial Council. The second occasion on which the Board •corresponded on the subject of expenditure was when the present Government refused to authorise the payment of £5 Hβ 6d for Colombo road school. The Government made -no enquiry whatever as to the item in question, but returned the voucher with the —" Government object to authorise this sum." It is therefore evident from the foregoing that Mr Maskell's statement is untrue. I iflhould recommend him to support his views 'with facto, not fictions. Yours, &c, John Inglis. December 29th, 1875.