Education.

Hastings Standard, Volume IX, Issue 5106, 25 January 1906, Page 4

Education.

(Per Press As r jciation)

Auckland, January 21

The division of education districts into three wards, as provided by the Education Act Amendment Act, on the basis of average attendance, for the purpose of election of a new board in August next, came in for some adverse criticism by members of the Education Board this morning. Mr Parr said it seemed to him to he a most retrograde step, and one that would lead to jealousies and endless grievances such as existed in the city before wards were wiped out. He moved that the board express the opinion that the legislation was a retrograde step. Mr McKenzie said it was the law, and con sidered that the system should have a trial. Mr Peacock agreed that it was a retrograde step, but it* did not, perhaps, become the Education Board to abuse the law at r. resent (n the statute book. Mr Parr said he wanted only to ventilate his views, and withdrew his motion.

At the Education Board meeting to day, the average attendance at the board's schools for the year 100-t was reported to have been 27,507, or more than it hail ever been before. The director of technical education (Mr George) reported to-day that he had received a letter from J)r J. W. Robertson, manager of the McDonald Agricultural College, in Canada, with respect to the appointment of an agricultural and nature study instructor. Dr Robertson had received two applications, which be was forwarding to New Zealand. He suggested that it would be easier to obtain a suitable man in England. Mr George also said that Dr Garnett, in England, reported having received :;G inquiries about the position, and would forward applications to the board.