CITY SCHOOLS COMMITTEE AND THE SCHOLARSHIPS QUESTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XX, Issue 6749, 5 July 1883, Page 3

CITY SCHOOLS COMMITTEE AND THE SCHOLARSHIPS QUESTION.

An adjourned meeting of the City Schools Committee was held last evening at the Wellesley-atreet School. Present: Mr. Carr (Chairman), Messrs. Thwaites, Warbarton, Offer, Kyan, and Brame.

Tbe Chairman reminded members that this was an adjournment of the meeting held on Friday last to consider the desirability or otherwise of taking aay action in regard to the steps taken by the Auckland College and Grammar School Governors re the admission of boys holding scholarships from the primary schools to the Grammar Sch 01. He forwarded a telegram to Mr. Dargaville, M.H.8., asking him to confer with the otber members, and stating that a meeting would be held to-night. He received an answer, stating that he (Mr. Dargaville) would do as requested, and asking him to wire the result of to-night's meeting. He said, as they were aware, there were some members on the Board of Governors who were desirous of excluding boys of the primary iiehoob from the Grammar School, and they were now backed by Mr. Whitaker'e opinion. Mr. Wahbtjrton said that those who had seen that morniog'a Herald, containing the Hon. Mr. Dick's reply to Mr. Dargaville, would be aware of the exact position.

Mr. Offer asked what action the Board of Education proposed to take in the matter. The Chairman aaid that K) far as the Chairman of the Board, Mr. Laishley, was concerned, hie opinion was directly contrary to that of Mr. Whitaker, and he held that the boys of the primary schools holding scholarships were entitled to admission to the Grammar School. He had also spoken to the Inspector, and his opinion was that it would be best to take no action at present.

Mr. Thwaitks eaid he did not know whether it would be in tbe recollection of all the members, bat he had diatinct recollection of the action of the Provincial Council regarding these endowments now held by the Grammar School. The impression was never intended that they were for secondary education, not even for primary compulsory education, as it now exists, but only to meet cases of destitution. Mr. Swanson, he remembered, distinctly advocated that these endowments should be made to provide education for the children of the poor and destitute, and as for class distinctions such as now existed, each a thought never entered their heads. He considered the time was not now opportune for legislation, and they might leave it in abeyance They had plenty of friends at the helm who would see after their interests ; but the people's money must be spent for the people's good. The day had gone by, he hoped, when the people's money could be spent for the aggrandizement of a class. He thought the best thing thty could do would be to telegraph to their representatives to endeavour to get an Order-in-Council made so that matters may be allowed to remain as they are until next session. He did not think it would be wise to legislate on the subject this eeasion. The interval would give time to the Board of Governors to consider their position, and they would probably see it was a false one. It would give their members time to consult the committees, and it would give time for the Press to ventilate tbe subject. In that light he thought it would be wise to send the telegram he suggested. Mr. Warbukton said he did not think that would meet the case after the Hon. Mr. Dick's reply to Mr. Dargaville, for there would be legislation at once. Besides, he thought the motion should go further. Mr. Tuwaites said he thought the constitution of the Boird of Governors should be altered, that three should be appointed from the Board of Education, three nominated by the Government, three elected, and the Mayor for the time being an ex-ojjitio member.

Mr. Offer eaid this committee had nothing to do with the election of the governors ; they had only to Uo with the scholarships— to affirm the principle which had been carried out in the past, and to get legislation for its being carried out in the future. The Chairman suggested the following as an answer to be sent to Mr. Dargaville :— "The committee are of opinion that the stand taken by the Board of Governors cannot be maintained, in view of the adverse criticism from outside. They, therefore, think that it is the better plan to defer active legislation until next session; provision only being made to continue the present arrangement, re scholarship-holders from the primary schools in the meantime." This was not approved, and the following was drafted and proposed by Mr. Br&me :— " In the opinion of the Auckland City Schools Committee the action of the governors of the Auckland College and Grammar School in objecting to the admission of the district and open scholarships to tha school under their control is subversive of the original intentions of the Government of the coloDy when the endowments were first made, although their action may be justified by the terms of the Grammar School tru<3t 23 interpreted by the Attorney-General. The City Schools Committee therefore urge the desirability of immediate legislation to remedy the defect in such trust, so that the original intentions of the Government may be carried out."

This was seconded by Mr. Thwaites, and unanimously agreed to. It was reaolved to telegraph this resolution to Mr. Dargaville, requesting him to secure the co-operation of the Auckland members in carrying out the object of the committee.

It wae also agreed to forward the resolution to the Board of Education acquainting the Board with the steps taken by the committee.

FACTORY YOUTHS' EDUCATION BILL. Mr. BaAMKsaid there was another subject which ho wanted to mention, and he wished to have the privilege of mentioning it now, not with the view of having any action taken on it, but because he meant to introduce it at the next meeting, aud he wished to give the members an opportunity of thinking over it. It was his desire to ask the committee to take action to memorialise their members to promote a measure, applying to the education of factory youth of both sexes, which, for want of a bettter name, he would call a "Factory Youths' Education Bill." His object was to provide for the education of boys and girls who had passed tho school age, and who were engaged in factory work. Many of those, although past tho school age, had their education neglected or required special attention. He believed there were a few thonsands of those who will suffer from this neglect, and for whoso education it may be possible to make legislative proviaion. He merely threw out the suggestion now, but would be prepared to lay the matter and such suggestions as he could before the next meeting.

A brief conversation on the subject ensued. The object waa generally approved, but it was agreed to defer any discussion on the matter umil the next regular meeting, when a formal resolution will be submitted.