SCHOOL CAPITATION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16507, 24 March 1914, Page 8

SCHOOL CAPITATION.

INADEQUATE IN THE LARGER

INSTITUTIONS

MR R, S. M’KENZIE’S OPINION. Interviewed yesterday by a “ Lyttelton Times,’’ reporter, Mr R. St Clair M’Kenzie,- chairman of the Elmwood School Committee,'in commenting on the discussion which took place at the last, meeting of the • North Canterbury Education Board concerning the insolvent' state of the majority of the school, committees in the district, <ommended the stand taken up by Messrs Aiidreivs’,Boyd and Opie. He said he thought they wers on the right' track. The primary schools .were at present being starved to cater for the wants of tlie secondary institutions. The capitation at present paid to the larger schools, was in no way adequate to pay for their upkeep. A great number of j schools were now labouring under the disadvantage of an overdraft,, .and it was only due to the generosity of the parents in the Elmwood district that this condition did not exist, there. Speaking on matters more _ closely connected with his own district, Mr M’Kenzie stated that the school was still in an overcrowded state, despite the. fact that the committee had been promised that this evil would bo remedied. The mattev was to he brought, up for discussion at the householders’ annual j meeting,, where, no doubt, 'something definite would be decided ■•Don. i