TOWN AND COUNTRY SCHOOL BUILDINGS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XV, Issue 5065, 9 February 1878, Page 3

TOWN AND COUNTRY SCHOOL BUILDINGS.

• TO TIIE EDITOR. Sir,— In the report of the opening of City East school, which appeared in the Weekly News of 2Gfch ult., complaints are made by two of the speakers that justice had not beeu done to Auckland owing to the tardiness of the Board of education in erecting schord buildings ; notwithstanding the explanation by two members (then present) of the Education Board that the wants of the country districts were more pressing, inasmuch as no other accommodation existed in these localities for school purposes, whereas apartments of some kind were generally to be had in town. Although it would be unreasonable to doubt that the Board has done all in its power to supply school-houses in country settlements, still the supply is far short of the demand, both in number and quality, and yet the deficiency would liavo been much greater but for the economy practised by the Board in tho apportionment of the funds at its disposal. In man}- cases help to build was given only in proportion as the applicants were able to help themselves. For instance, in this school district, a few years, sinco a schoolhouse became an urgent necessity, which the Board was not in a position to supply. The inhabitants by their own -subscriptions purchased a half-acre allotment, including a very unsuitable building—their only resource —which was used for some time as a schoolroom. The building has lately beeu sold for a few pounds, aud the land conveyed to the Board in consideration of their erectiug thereon the present building, which is already too small, and requires a considerable addition. The nearest school in the samo district is a public hall, rented from tho proprietors. The remaining school in the district is held also in a small rented building. Such are specimens of the shifts that have to be resorted to in order to reuder education at all possible in tho country districts. It is understood that tho City East school is a very commodious and handsome building; no doubt its cost has been proportionate. It would be interesting to know the relative cost to the colony of the accommodation per head of the pupils taught tiiere, and of those taught in country schools, after deducting the private contributions towards the buildings in both cases ; and also how many country schools could have been built for the co3t of that in City £ast.-r-

I an!, &.C., i{. Wliangarei, Ctli February, IS7S.