LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 29, 3 August 1927, Page 11

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

The Legislative Council met at 2.30 to-day. . ■ : The Hon. M. Cohen moved that a return be laid upon the table showing (1) the cost of sites procured for the erection of hostels in connection with tho secondary and technical schools re-, spectively; (2) the cost of erecting.such buildings respectively, and where the same are located; (3) tho cost of furnishing and equipping the same respectively; (4) the cost of yearly management and maintenance of the same respectively; and (5) the number of boarders on the roll of each hostel for the years 1925 and 1926 respectively; the return to cover, the years 1920-1927 inclusive. Mr. Cohen stressed the importance of ascertaining the facts asked for, as it was some time since such information had been given. It was said that the cost of maintaining the boys' school hostel in Wellington was about £450 per head: The question should be cleared up as to whether in- | creases in cost of construction and .maintenance were fulfilling their purpose.

The Hon. W. M'lntyre seconded tho motion. -

Theleader of the Council (the Bight Hon. Sir Francis Bell) said it was quite impossible to pass in the Council a motion which would entail considerable expense in preparing a return. He nsked the Council to accept the reply of the Government that the expense would he^too great. The preparation of the return would occupy considerable time and extra staff, as the return asked for 3/Tm ed an extTa°rainary amount of

- The, B:o11- k- M. Tsitt suggested that in such eases the mover for a return should an estimate of the cost

The Hon. J. A.' Hanan thought the taxpayers should have access to certain information as to. the cost of education administration. ' Beferring to the Wellington College hostel, he said it was a ramshackle building and the conditions of accommodation were absolutely disgraceful. There was the danger of fire, and a new building was required ,? m i *°i the deta.ils asked for > at least, should be given. There was no reason why members of the Legislature should not be supplied-with certain figures as to the cost of hostels and schools. Mr Cohen saia that a similar return 1922, but it had not been continued, and he simply wanted it to be brought up to date. The condition of .affairs at Wellington Colleee previous to' the erection of the new buildings, was; as had been described. StelS ? ad Been fitte<l up more withUhe completeness of hospital -than oSf£ ls- 5e withdrew the motion JVlr.^Cohen then moved that a return be laid upon the table showing the increases in the administrative expenditureor.cost to the taxpayers of the DoTT f «S °entral -Department of the head office of the Education Department during the periods 1919-1927 Ci USl7' su£ h, return to sW,w the main items of such increases.

(Left Sitting.)