EDUCATION DISTRICT BOUNDARIES COMMISSION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVIII, Issue XLVIII, 12 May 1915, Page 3

EDUCATION DISTRICT BOUNDARIES COMMISSION

SITTING IN, NELSON,

Following further evidence was taken before the Commission after we went to pres yesterday afternoon: — Richard P. Hudson, M.Jt\ for Motueka, said he was concerned principally with the Motueka electorate, the whole of which was in the Nelson education district. ixe felt sure, owing to the facilities of the district, that if the centre of education was removed from Nelson it would be a hardship to his electorate. The position of Karamea was especially noted. Mr Hudson also referred to the hop-picking and fruit-grow-ing industries, and the part taken therein by the children, for whom special holidays were given; and to meet these special circumstances' local knowledge -was required. Regarding population, witness said anyone acquainted with the development of the fruit industry could not but fail to see that an increase of population would result. From a sentimental point of view, surely it was not a proper thing to remove the administration oi education from Nelson to Wellington. The question of the promotion o± teachers was also a serious one, and he thought all obstacles in this connection should be removed. From a historical point of view, and decidedly from a geographical one, and from an educational point of view, it would be an injustice to remove the educational centre from Nelson to Wellington. James Colvin, M.P. for Buller, speaking on behalf of the Westport portion of the district, said he recognised that lin the changes to be made some would have to suffer, but Nelson and the West Coast should, not suffer any more than any other district. He admitted that the population of Nelson was small at present, and that there were a number of small schools. But there would be a great increase in the population of the West Coast and also of Nelson within the next 20 years. Nelson had treated Westport very fairly in educational matters, and he was of opinion, that, a district should be formed* consisting of Marlborough, Greymouth, Buller, and Nelson, with Nelson as the centre. Witness appealed to the Commission to take into consideration the future of the district, and not base their finding on its present population. George H. GothaTd, a member of the Nelson Board, representing the West Ward (including 'Westport and Reeftqn) said he was there on the very strong request from his portion of the district !to preserveNelson'as an educational dis- | trict. There were no children throughout the district who were not provided with educational facilities, and this showed careful and efficient administration of the Board. Witness also urged oii the Commission the claims of the district on account of the opening up of Crown lands; and he had been assured that provision was being made to" open up land from the Lake district to R«ef•ton, which would provide close settlement for 15,000 people. The claims of the gold and coal industry were also urged on the Commission as a reason for taking into consideration future increases in,the population. Regarding the argument raised as to the number of small schools in the Nelson district, witness pointed out that time would improve this, as with increased railway communication it would be the policy of the Board to centralise these schools. It was also urged on the Commission that the past efficient and successful administration of the Board, should be considered. Another matter for consideration, said Mr Gothard, was, that the gentleman who drew up the Education Act had included Nelson as one of. the districts to be retained. '■ ■ - • At this stage a telegram was read from Mr Kane, teacher at Burnetts Face, forwarding a resolution passed by a branch of the Teachers? Institute favouring the amalgamation of the Nelson district with either Wellington or North, Canterbury. . Mr Gothard said it might be a wish of a section of the teachers, but it was not the wish of the people. _ George A. Harkness, Senior Inspector, stationed in the Nelson district, said he would very much regret, owing to his long association with the district, and also on account of its historic associations, to see Nelson not left as an educational centre. Witness went on to refer to the scholastic 'successes achieved by pupils under the Nelson. Board's control. Although a small district, he did not consider Nelson was any less efficient than the'larger ones. In regard to the number of small schools in the district, he thought this should be looked. upon as a credit to the Board,'who had. done their best to provide education for. every child within the district. The promotion of teachers,-he said, was the only strong argument in favour of centralising or" reducing the number of education districts. He admitted it: would be_ of advantage to Marlborough or the Grey to be allied to this district, and in the, same way. it would be of advantage-to Nelson to be attached to Wellington, or Christchurch; but not such an advantage since the passing of the recent Act.'\ The Commission then adjourned for lunch- ' _ „ The Commission resumed at 2.30. The Chairman read a letter from Mr F. 'V. Knapp, president of the Nelson branch of the New Zealand Educational Institute, stating that in view of the fact that there.is no Dominion scheme of promotion for teachers, the Nelson branch of the New Zealand Educational Institute begged respectfully to -recommend t&rat the present: Education district of Nelson be attached to Welling-

ton or Nort Canterbury, preferably th« former. William T. Bond, newspaper proprietor, a resident of 52 years' standing, stated that, if the Nelson Education District was abolished, Nelson would suffer very much, as he considered the work of education would be hindered if everything had to be referred to Wellington. As an old settler, he wished to protest against anything more being taken from Nelson, as he had seen for himself how the place had suffered in the past from centralisation. Norman R. Williams, secretary of the Nelson Education Board for the last six years, placed before the Commission resolutions passed at householders' meetings, tjie general opinion of which was that Nelson should be retained as an educational district. This was all the evidence, and the Commission rose.