EQUIPMENT OF SCHOOLS

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1696, 31 August 1904, Page 72

EQUIPMENT OF SCHOOLS

PROPOSED SYSTEM OF SUBSIDY. MR LEE’S RESOLUTION. THROWN OUT BY THE BOARD. The chairman, Mr Lee, brought before members of tho Education Board at Thursday’s meeting a proposed scheme for the better equipment of schools. Ho moved as follows: That, considering the small means at present available for the thoroughly efficient maintenance of schools, the Education Board earnestly calls upon school committees to further assist the cause of education by raising funds locally, and tho Board will, as far as lies in its power, supplement the amounts locally raised for the more complete educational equipment of the local school. Except in special cases, to be approved by the Board, the moneys so raised and subsidies are to bo expended on one or more of the following objects:— (1.) The purchase of scieni ifie apparatus or other aids to class teaching. (2) The useful and decorative furnishing of school walls with drawings, designs, pictures, cabinet-specimens, maps, diagrams, etc. (3.) Improved formation, laying-out and planting of play-grounds for exercise and games, or the making of borders for ornamentation, or instruction in cottage gardening. (4.) The purchase of musical instruments, drill appliances, or class-books, to bo kept in and remain the property ef tho school. (5.) Better sanitary arrangements. (6.) The enlargement cf the school library. The mover said that during the last few years the schools had not been equipped as they ought to have been, and it was difficult to carry on the work of education when so hampered. Committees, ha thought, should be encouraged to take up the matter under the terms of his resolution. Ho thought that in many instances the people would ba only too pleased to put their shoulders to tho wheel. It was not good enough to run schools without proper equipment. He thought the only thing to bo done wars to encourage local efforts, and for this they must put up some offer. The schools could not get anything from the Board, because the Board had not got the moans. Tho time was coming when the Board must have more m-eans for the better equipment of the schools in the interests of education. Mr Buchanan felt some difficulty in seconding tho /notion, though he had every sympathy with the spirit which prompted it. He feared the Board might find some difficulty in meeting claims for subsidies. Mr Robertson pointed out that the authorities of Victoria College wore appealing for direct subscriptions, and the proposed resolution was really carrying on that practice. Under a system of free education this should not be. It was regrettable that the department was not able to give sufficient money for the complete carrying on of the education system. Mr Allen pointed out that tlie Board had no means of increasing the money at its disposal. It appeared to him unfair to put committees in the position of being compelled to raise money. He thought the resolution would be a reflection upon tlio education system, and this ho felt was not the intention of any member of the Board. Mr Hogg fully appreciated the motive of the resolution proposed. True, a great many schools were inadequately equipped, but he doubted the expediency of leading committees to believe that subsidies would bo paid for money raised by local efforts. He pointed out that country districts were in a different position to the towns. In the latte?, when money was wanted, a system

of blackmail was adopted. Collectors went into shops and other business places, and people could not refuse to subscribe. In the country this sort of thing could not bo carried on. He considered parents and committees were new doing all they could, and there was no need to apply the whip to the willing horse. Mr Field could not support the motion, though ho thought it a pity the terms of tho resolution could not be pub before committees in some other way, so as to advise committees as to how it was advisable that public moneys should I>3 expended.' Ho feared that to pass the motion proposed would put tho Board in an invidious position, and subject it to unfavourable comment. He was glad, however, that tlie matter had been brought up, for he thought that, in an indirect way, it would do good. Mr McDonald thought committees had now sufficient to do in raising money for cleaning and for purchase of fuel.

in replying, Mr Lee said lie did not intend to cast any reflection upon the education system. His only object was to put the schools in/better working con dilion. Ho thought members had taken rather much of a scare at his proposal. If tho people did not want such a schemo it was for them to decide. He thought the carrying cf his resolution would help to encourage many to do something towards tho work cf the schools, and m any caso it would not commit tho Board to any particular expenditure. Tlie motion was negatived on tho voices.