SCHOOL GRANTS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVII, Issue 144, 19 June 1909, Page 9

SCHOOL GRANTS.

TO THS fcniTOK. Sir, — In your issue of last evening I read with interest the report of the meeting of that astute body, the Victoria College Counoii, and note theii intention to form a deputation and wait on the Minister of Education for a grant of -£400 for increased accommodation which is ''absolutely necessary." It appears that a sum -of £3000 is also required in lh«? near future for a new palatial wing to the present building. Before tho Minister of Education entertains such a lavish expenditure on a body that is well able to provide its own funds, I trust he will turn his attention to, some of the public schools of the city which are in far more need of grants than the University • College, and are at present btruggling under considerably worse circumstances than it. I can mention one school in the suburban area of the city as an' instance. Tho pupils number some 550 whilst accommodation is provided for about 420. To relieve tho prossure it has been necessary to remove one of the, largest classes to a hall some distance from the main school. A portion ! of this school is some twenty years old mid fit for nothing more than firewood. i Repeated applications have beon made to the Education Board, and a deputation waited upon the Minister for a grant of' j a modest £80 to £90 to provide two rooms- extra, but this has been absolutely refused, and the school is allowed to struggle on in its overcrowded condition. The capitation grant is only sufficient to provide working expenses, and when any special improvement is desired < it is necessary to raioe the amount by canvassing the locality for subscriptions or, promoting concerts. I think th« I Victoria College Council is quite able to raise any funds required for increased accommodation at present by increasing the fees and obtaining the money from those well' able to pay. Per-haps the students could deprive themselves of some of the luxuries of balls and suab hko functions and their entertainment*, which are certainly not in keeping with this enlightened ago, and devote the money so saved in providing accommodation' for themselves. I think the public schools of the city should be considered before such a considerable grant is given to a body which has the means of obtaining funds from the proper quarter. — I am, etc., PUBLIC SCHOOL, j June 18, 1909. !