SCHOOL ACCOMMODATION.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 756, 27 August 1886, Page 9

SCHOOL ACCOMMODATION.

At ‘Wednesday’s meeting of the Education Board, the foflowirig letter, dated August 21st, was received from the secretary of the Maaterfcon School Committee: directed by the committee to acknowledge receipt of the Board’s memo, of the 30th ult., re the site'for a second school in Masterton, and, in reply thereto, I am to convey the following resolution : * That the committee regret the unjust and evasive refusal of the Board to discuss a question of vital importance to a large number of children in Masterton. P.S. — I am also direc ; ed by the chairman (Mr BoddiDgton) to advise the Board that he desires his vote to be recorded against the above resolution.” Mr Paterson eaid he did not think that was a very nice resolution to send to the Board, Mr jßiair said it was not in accordance with the facts. Mr Bunny said the same thing would be found in an article iu one of the Ma-tertoo papers of last week—a very stroDg and aufrdrly-written article. Mr Buchanan supposed there was a certain amount of excas-: to be made for the committee, only that thf-y nad overlooked the fact that the Boaid bad other important I necessities to consider, Mr Bunny said he

should not be surprised if, - presently, the local bodies had to find sites and buildings too. Dr Newman thought the reouest of the committee was a fair one, since they offered to find a site. That was more than the town scnoola did. Mr Bunny pointed out that the Board was already renting a building [or a sec °-ad school in the centre of Masterton. Mr Beetbam would be only too glad if he could recommend the Board to do this ; bat they had not got £750 to spend on it.. Mr Blair had not the least hesitation in saying that the Wellington district was worse off for schools than any other district in the Colony. He pointed to the necessity for increased accommodation in the city, Mr Young said it would not be at all a bad idea to appoint a committee to inquire what accommodation they could get in the city. It was becoming a very serious matter more serious every day. Mr Blair remarked that the great difficulty was as to the funds. Dr Newman said the Premier announced to the House of Representatives lately that a certain quantity of the education grant was to be kept over for districts where the population was growing rapidly He thought the Board could show that this district was growing rapidly, and in that way get a grant. He thought they should get an extra allowance if they put statistics before the Government. Mr Buchanan agreed with this, and suggested bringing it before the Government at once. Mr Blair understood, then, that the Board disagreed with the sense j>f the Comxnittee’s raaolution —fchey had not repudiated the matter, and would be glad to go on with it if they had the funds. Mr Buchanan suggested that the attention of the Committee should be directed to the very simple fact of the impossibility of the Board supplying other more urgent needs in consequence of want or funds. Mr Blair replied that that would be expressed. Rater on it was decided, on the motion of Dr Newman, that a deputation, consisting of the Chairman, Mr Beetham, and the mover, interview the Minister of Education, with a view of getting a building grant in consequence of the great increase in the number of schools and scholars in the district.