THE EDUCATION ORDINANCE— THE 40th CLAUSE.

Grey River Argus, Volume XV, Issue 1932, 15 October 1874, Page 2

THE EDUCATION ORDINANCE— THE 40th CLAUSE.

[TO THE EDITOR.] Sir — Your correspondent " Denominationalist" has said, and said well, about all that can be said in favor of the opinions of the class whom he may be said fairly to represent, and supposing his premises be granted, his arguments are not overdrawn. But he assumes as a fact that which, to say the least, is open to criticism, viz., that, on the score of economy as well as of efficiency, it is desirable to retain the 40th clause, and support the existing Denominational Schools. It certainly may be " the principle of legislation in free countries to respect existing imtitutions, where these are salutary,' and it may also be true that the "Catholic Denominational School is as old as Grey mouth," &c, &c, and ergo is, therefore, an institution that ought to be respected by legislation (?) in a free :

country like this. Granting this, is it r not possible, while respecting an institution so venerable, yet to sweep away a few ot the cobwebs of tradition that restrict its usefulness 1 For surely an average . attendance of 100 pupils (?) under two teachers (even though they may be male and female) is not the summum bonum of educational requirements — something may be said for the 500 and odd pupils that don't attend this institution. Instead of the case supposed by your correspondent, and while I agree with in thinking "it would be only sarcasm to call economical," I will suppose the case as it stands with respect to this 40th clause. Take our own district, we have one fairly good Denominational School — the Catholic — one other indirectly, I believe, connected with the Episcopalian body, and sundry " Dame" Schools, with a total average attendance certainly not exceeding 300 in all ; at the very lowest computation there are 300 children of eligible age not attending any school at all. Now, I have no hesitation in saying that in the first place the buildings used at present are unsuitable for the purpose. Take, for example that which is claimed as the beat, viz., the Catholic School, with an average attendance of 100, a building is used that in a sanitary point of view will not hold 50, the cubical space absolutely necessary for the health of the scholars is not provided. I shall be met with the statement that the scholars are not unhealthy, but the results of herding chilnran in- too confined a space are not always immediate, it is the constitution that suffers, and a hot summer would soon show that the germs of disease were only latent. Again, without questioning the quality of the teaching power (which I believe to be good in this instance), its sufficienay as to quantity is at least apparent. To teach fairly and well 100 scholars would require the fresh and unexhausted powers of three trained teachers — in the case" in question we have only two — and of these, the ad mitted great powers of the principal must be greatly overtasked when we consider that he undertakes an afternoon school for adult girls and an evening school for adult males, in addition to his daily ta3k of teaching 100 pupils ! " Denominationalist " begs the question. The fact stands, that under the present Educational Ordinance we have, in this district at any rate, to choose between founding one good "National School," with admittedly limited funds, or to fritter away the same funds in supporting existing schools, or creating new Denominational Schools, for. if one has a right to a portion of these funds., the ochers would soon claim the same right by forming School Committees, &c. The small amount received from the rates would be too small materially to improve existing schools, or to provide increased accommodation and teaching power, and i far too stfiall to create fresh schools. Is it not better to face this fact and say i at once, we will devote the whole of the funds at our disposal to procuring the necessary teachers and school furniture for one good National School capable of meeting all demands upon it, providing for the erection of the necessary buildings by one of those appeals to the public, the utility of which the Catholic School Committee so well appreciate, for in the past, as in the future, they have never hesitated to ask for, and accept, public support when their own funds did not suffice. We may also calculate upon some assistance from the Province towards our buildings, &c. Granting such a school be built, and I believe it is only a question of a few months time, it would make a very material difference, if say Ll5O a-year were deducted from its funds to go towards the funds of a school, whose committee admit that their revenue derived from school fees must suffer if they accept . it, and that, therefore, they would not be in a position to increase either their school accommodation or number of teachers, both necessary without any increase of scholars. The whole question, in fact, hinges on the question — Shall we distribute the money among existing schools, whose revenue, and therefore efficiency will suffer if they receive it, or shall we concentrate it on schools founded on the one system, with the hope and belief that we shall place a good sound education within the reach of children of all classes and creeds, whether they can afford to pay for it or not. The answer has already been given, in this district at a-ny rate. j We wish to coerce no minority, large or small For the good of the "greatest number, we believe the " National System" to be the best — it is optional with those who differ to support their own opinions and schools at the same time. 1 am neither a rogne nor a drunkard, and yet I am taxed to {.ay for a force and laws that restrain those who are. It is for the good of the State that all its children should be educated and trained as citizens. I may not approve or agree with the State system, but I none the less pay for it for the good of all. It may be true that there is all the difference between L 2 and L2O in the cost of education to a man with a large family (in the two systems), but it does not follow that those who can afford it will not willingly give that difference in addition to their rates, if necessary. Personally, I know many who will give more, while to those of limited means that very difference of cost is a sufficient answer to the question of " which system V I need take no notice of the litfcla bit of clap-trap about " enormously taxed ratepayers, &c." We are daily paying for others, directly or indirectly, and a man who is unlucky enough to be without children, or selfish enough to be without a wife, may consider himself well off in having to pay only some 303 a year to keep down " larrikinism." The Nelson Ordinance has been much praised. To those who believe that ours is a transcript of it, I would recommend a perusal of the two. It may teach them that they have more blessings than they are aware of in our present "Provincial Council." I do not intend to import " religion" into the matter at all. I shan't dispute that that may be a "Denominational question, though, between ourselves, Mr Editor, I think that both religion and education would be none the worse for running the " National Ticket." . Paterfamilias. The number of locomotive engines ia the United Kingdom has increased from 9379 in 1870, and 10,490 in 1871, to 10,933 in 1872. '■ At; the baths at Bagneres-de-Luchon ■ the resident doctor has bequeathed a handsome sum to the town to purchase a hearse. Restitution is never too late.