EDUCATION BOARD

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 305, 20 November 1930, Page 2

EDUCATION BOARD

GRANTS TO SCHOOLS.

POLITICAL INFLUENCE ALLEGED

The monthly meeting of the Wanganui Education Board took place yesterday, Mr W. A. Collins presiding. A debate arose in the matter of alleged political influence on the issue of monetary grants for remodelling school buildings. A departmental grant to Gonville was cited as having superceded more important works in other parts of the board’s district, because the committee had been able to wield political influence.

Matters came to a head when the agenda for the meeting disclosed applications from some Palmerston North and district schools for additional accommodation.

“I have been listening very intently to this discussion about applications for additions to school buildings,” said Mr J. It. Hornblow (h'oxton). He drew the board's attention to conditions at Oroua Downs where tho rain drove into a shelter shed which had to be used as a class room. Chalk on the blackboard had been washed off, itnd the teacher’s silk stockings were wet through. That was urgent work and he had drawn attention to it. He also quotod Bainesse, where he said remodelling was essential.

“BOARD IGNORED.”

“This is a list of urgent works approved by this board,” he continued, exhibiting a piece of foolscap. “We have been battling away for these to be done in order of urgency, yet certain committees can go to the Minister, through the member for the district, and get grants. This board is ignored and will continue to be ignored unless we stop this political influence. I am surprised to find that Gonville has a grant for partial remodelling of a big brick building which is not high up on our list. It is most strange that this work has been authorised when we have been battling and battling for these other schools and can’t get a cent. I don’t blame the Gonville people. Good luck to them if they can get it, but when this board has been fighting hard to get certain work done is it a fair thing that people can go to the Minister and over-ride the board i It i 6 time we protested. The board is nothing less than a glorified comThe chairman said that the Gonville matter had been put before him, but, because of the list of urgent works in hand, he had not agreed to it. “There are cases more urgent than Gonville,” said Mr J. S. Tingey (Feilding). “Oroua Downs is a disgrace, it is almost a scandal that children are being educated in the wind and ram and Gonville, being in a city, is able to get a grant. It is quite evident that it has received partial treatment from the department.” The secretary made it clear that Gonville had been on the list of works to be done, but the first application for Oroua Downs was now before the board. The attendance at that school had gone up suddenly. Mr Tingey: But that does not alter my point that schools should not be preferentially treated. . m Later in the meeting a letter from the department was read, refusing to pay a subsidy of £8 13s in respect of work done at Rongotea until after March 31 next. The chairman: They can give Gonville a grant but they can t find £o for this. , ~ , , The board decided to press the claims for Oroua Downs and other schools listed as urgent and the chairman was directed to go further into matters with the Minister.

' STAFF APPOINTMENTS. Tt was reported that the following are at present on the teachers' relieving staff -.—Acting sole teachers: h. A. Brown, Orangimea; D. P. Murray, Awahou; R. L. Tasker, Maungaroa Road; E. F. C. Hextal , Marohema; I. Pearce, Kaitieke; D. A. Blue Hilntahi: A. V. Lithgow, Potaka, Road; E. G J. Wingate, Parewanui. Acting assistants: D. G.. Crawford, Rangiotu; M. Cave, Apit ; E. G J. Wingate Te Arakura; A. F. Hamilton, Kawhatau; A. B. Carlson Raurimu; E M Purnell, Manchester Street, Feildin'g; M. E. I. Harrison, Taonui; R. Mullins, Manunui; E. D. my, Palmerston North Central; I. W Humphreys West End, Palmerston North; L M. Goodall, Oroua Downs; E. L. Marchant, Keith Street Infants Wanganui; G. Ranson Apiti; V.A Gilmour Wanganui East; F. H. Field, Kohi'- F A. Lloyd, Whenuakura; Mrs H C' R. Mclntyre, Manunui. The following resignations have been received since last meeting: Miss A. E. Catanach, assistant, Tokorangi; Miss P. J. Cawood. probationer, College Street, Palmerston North.