OBTAINING SUBSIDIES FROM EDUCATION DEPT.

Manawatu Times, Issue 6848, 1 March 1929, Page 8

OBTAINING SUBSIDIES FROM EDUCATION DEPT.

Points to Observe

ADDRESS TO MEMBERS OF SCHOOL COMMITTEES

“The point for school committees to remember in connection with obtaining subsidies,” said Mrs W. S. Goddart of the Palmerston North Technical school at last night’s meeting of the combined school committees association, ‘' is never to commit themselves to any expenditure until the approval of the Education department has been obtained through the Education board. Once that is done all is plain sailing and progress payments can be obtained as they aro required.” Mr Goddard then proceeded to deal with a number of points likely to bo of assistance to school committoes in applying for subsidies on moneys raised for school purposes. They all knew that subsidies were granted on what were known as voluntary donations—that was money actually given or raised by subscription and social functions. Duo attention should be paid to the date by which the form of claim should be lodged, for if the regulations were not adhered to the department might refuse the subsidy. Money intended to be used for ground improvements would be subsidised at the rate of £1 for £1 with one or two restrictions, school baths would be subsidised only up to £2OO on tho part of the department. There was no limit to the amount of subsidy that could bo obtained for football and basketball grounds. As far as tennis courts wero concerned, the department would subsidise money for these at the rate of 10s for £l. If the genera’: public were to be allowed to uso these courts it was stipulated that a reasonable charge should be made for the privilege. A £1 for £1 subsidy -would be obtained on laying down gardens, paths, etc., while wood ,coal and water expenditure carried the same amount. As far as school libraries -were concerned a £1 for £1 subsidy was also allowed hero in addition to a grant ol 3d per head on the average attendance of the school for the previous year. A point not generally known was that if books were donated to a school library a 10s in £1 subsidy could be obtained on their valuation, provided that the published price of any volume was not less than ss.

There was no need for any committee to go into debt when making improvements provided that attention was paid to the regulations governing subsidies. First the money should be raised, then application should be made for subsidy and only on that being approved was it safe to proceed. Mr Goddard concluded by referring to a number of other purposes for which subsidies could be raised and made special reference to school pianos and gramaphones. He then answered a number of queries from committeemen who desired him to clear up various knotty points in this vexed question. On the motion of the chairman, Mr S. W. Oliver, a very hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr Goddard for his enlightening address.

opportunity should be taken of placing the matter before him. Personally, he thought the department should establish the clinic without calling upon the committee’s, for it was a hardship to expect these latter to assist out ol their capacity grant which was at best only sufficient to cover their present needs. If the Government would construct the building he felt that tht public of Palmerston North would back the school committees in providing anything else that was required. He strongly supported Mr. Cameron’s contention that a central clinic should be established for the sake of the country schools who wero not at present able to secure the same attention in this direction as did tho town schools. On tho lines of tho special report, Mr. Whitehead then moved that a special committee be set up to act as a deputation and lay the matter before the Minister .of Education when he visited Palmerston North.

Messrs. W. Wood (Whakarongo) and T. D. Lynch (Linton) assured members of tho support of their respective schools. They felt sure that if other representatives of country schools had realised the importance of the present meeting they would have been present in 'much larger numbers. Mr. W. Cameron (Central) suggested that all country schools be circularised with a view to calling a representative meeting. This suggestion met with general support and Mr. Whitehead moved that a special general meeting be called of representatives of both town and country schools in order to discuss the establishment of a control clinie and by means of a strong depu tation, to lay the question beforo the Minister of Education.

Mr. C. Pees (College Street) suggest ed that before tho convening of the special general meeting suggested by Mr. Whitehead, a report on the work ing of tho present clinie should be prepared in order that the meeting mighr know something of what was required. Also he thought that some educational reserves in a central position should be available as a site.

Mr. W. B. Cameron, while agreeing with Mr. Pees, stated that little good would bo served by discussing ways and means at tho present juncture. They should content themselves with affirming the principle of the establishment of a central clinic—ways and means would como afterwards. Mr. Whitehead’s motion as to the convening of a representative meeting was then put and carried lyBefore tho discussion closed Mr. Clark asked whether the other town committees would be agreeable to certain improvements being carried out in the present clinie. room at Central school. This work was really necessary beforo tho coming winter and would cost in the vicinity of £3O.

! It was decided to hold the matter over until the residtof the deputation tojkhe Minister bjjfilp known.