SCHOOL BUILDINGS IN THE AUCKLAND DISTRICT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9270, 4 August 1893, Page 5

SCHOOL BUILDINGS IN THE A UCKLAND DISTRICT.

(by telegraph.—special correspondent.]

Wellington", Thursday. A circular has been sent to members by I Mr. Udy, chairman of tho Auckland Educa- | tion Board, pointing out that the rapid extension of settlement has imposed upon that Board the duty of multiplying schools, and erecting school building in remote and scattered districts, so as to place the means of education as far as possible within the reach of every settler. The funds derived by the Board from the annual grants voted by Parliament for school buildings, are said to be totally inadequate to meet the requirements. These grants are allocated to the several Education Boards on the basis of population, but inasmuch as the new settlements are most peopled by the migration of settlers from town to the country such a basis of allocation fails in securing a duo regard to actual and inevitable requirements. At the present time tho Board's liabilities in school builddings amount to £11,000 ; a further sum of £13, is required to defray the cost of other new buildings which are delayed for want of funds'. It is of the utmost importance that the Board should be placed in a position to proceed with tho necessary works during next summer. During the past two years the Board has, it is said, advanced from its capitation account a sum of £8000 for buildings over and above the sum of £11,000 above named, and members are asked to co-operate with the Board in bringing this matter under the notice of the Government during the present session, in order that timely provision may be made for this important object. I have laid the circular before the Minister for Education, and his reply is that he does not know what can be done beyond tho fact that the Auckland Board this year will got over £1000 more than they had last year.