EDUCATION RESERVES COMMISSIGNERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5396, 4 March 1879, Page 3

EDUCATION RESERVES COMMISSIGNERS.

A meeting of the Education Reserves Commissioners was held yesterday at the Board of Education Office. There were present Dr. Campbell (in the chair), and Messrs. D. A. Tolo and J. May. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed, also the minutes of a special meeting.' At the latter tenders had been received for the reserve at Mount St. John, and that of Mr. Mclndoe, £2G 10d, being the highest, was accepted. Auckland and Hawke's Bay Education Reserves.—This was a subject that had previously been before the Board. The educational district of Auckland does not include the whole of the provincial district, a portion of Wairoa and Cook Counties being included within tho Hawke's Bay Educational District, and the qiiestion was as to the distribution of revenues arising from the education reserves. It was referred to Mr. Brookfield, who gave his opinion, after a careful perusal of the Act, that the Auckland district was entitled to the whole of the revenue from reserves for primary education, but that the reserves for secondary education were divisible on the basis of population. The only schools for secondary education in Auckland were the College and Grammar School and the Girls* High School. Acts were passed for the establishment of high schools at the Thames and Whanqarei last session, but they had not been established, and in the Hawke's Bay portion there were no high schools.—Mr. Tolo said that in that case Hawke's Bay would get nothing, as they had no high or secondary school established.—Mr. May said that would not suit the people of Hawke's Bay, and he hardly thought it fair that this district should get tho revenue which belonged to them, for they must build the schools. On the suggestion of the Chairman, it was agreed to lay the opinion of their law adviser before the Government in regard to the distribution of revenue from tho reserves.—The Sectretary said that £939 was lying to the good in the meantime. Thames High School.—An application from the Thames in regard to a High School was deferred until Mr. O'Sullivan, Inspector of Schools, could be consulted. Administration of Funds.—The Government wrote asking the Commissioners to furnish them with an annual return of the revenue arising from the reserves on their distribution, and probable increase, with any suggestions the Commissioners might choose to submit. The Secretary was directed to forward the necessary information, and a draft reply to the Royal Commissioners in reference to the reserves for secondary education was approved and ordered to be forwarded. Applications for Reserves.—There were one or two applications for reserves. One applicant modestly applied to get one of the reserves without rent, and to be paid for his improvements when he ceased to occupy, but the liberal offer was not accepted by the Commissioners. Some further routine business was transacted. It was agreed to procure.a safe for the books, Crown grants, deeds, &c., and some accounts having been passed for payment, the meeting terminated.