GRAMOPHONES FOR SCHOOLS.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18186, 24 September 1924, Page 11

GRAMOPHONES FOR SCHOOLS.

EDUCATION DEPARTMENT'S PROPOSAL. In connexion with the announcement made recently by 1 the Minister of Education that a sum of money had been placed at the disposal of tho Education Department for the purchase of gramophones for tho schools, the following letter has been received by the Canterbury Education Board from the Director of Education, Mr J. Caughlcy: —

The Minister of Education has had many applications for subsidies towards the cost of gramophones for schools, but in view of many other pressing needs, though in; full sympathy with the proposals, he has hitherto been compelled to refuse the applications. As a result, however, of the action of his Majesty the-King m- placing New Zealand's share of the profits from the sale of the records of their Majesties' messages to the school children of the Empire at the disposal of the Government for some purpose for the benefit of our schools, a sum of £350 has been made available to subsidise funds raised locally for the purpose of purchasing approved gramophones and records for schools, the records to be specially chosen with the view of teaching musical appreciation. These subsidies will, however, most likely go to town schools, where the children already have many opportunities of hearing good music, and the Minister has decided to assist by way of Government subsidy contributions raised by country schools for the same purpose, with the view of giving country children opportunities of hearing good music. The Government subsidies will, therefore, for the present bo available for schools of Grades 1., 11., and 111. This decision, will be communicated to the schools in the "Education Gazette," and applications for 1 subsidies will be made in the ordinary way on the forms provided, and will be dealt with as they are received from the Boards. The Grades 1., 11., and 111. referred to in the letter mean the smaller country schools consisting of 20 or 30 pupils. Grade 111. would mean schools with an attendance of about 100.