EDUCATIONAL MATTERS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXIV, Issue 4981, 3 June 1903, Page 7

EDUCATIONAL MATTERS.

Special to the “ Times.” -•; M * NAPIER, June'2. One .important matter in regard to the Dannevirko District High School recently established to supply tlio wants of the bush district of Hawke’s Bay for higher education ■ came before tho Education Board to-day. ' The parents guaranteed an average attendance of 15, and thereupon the Board engaged a secondary master from Dunedin on a probable salary of .£250. The April return gave an average return of eighteen pupils, and instead of being paid at tho rate of .£250 per annum tho Board decided that the master could only receive the regulation allowance of £Ci per head, which meant that lie was for ’ the present being paid only at the rate of .£IOB per annum. Strong comments ware made by members of tho Board regarding tho way it had been.deceived by the parents. It was maintained that the primary funds could not be diverted to make up a deficiency in tho requirements of secondary education. A telegram' received- subsequently staled that the attendance at present was thirtyfive, and tho Board, therefore, concluded it was possible that the master would not receive loss than £250 at the end of tho year, as ho had been led to expect. The following resolution was unanimously carried in respect to the inadequacy of the Government grant for general education purposes:—“That this Board requests Sir William Russell ami the other members for the district to approach tho Government with the view of pointing out the position that the Deportment places tho Board in owing to the uttorlv inadequate grants available for school"buildings and teachers’ residences.” On the scholarship question, which is at present in a somewhat tangled state, the Board resolved: —“That a committee bo sei np to confer with the Board’s inspector, the Governors of tho Napier High School and .the School Commissioners with i.the yiO,w of bringing about, a more, equitable system of allocating the funds available for scholarships in anticipation of Hie probable establishment of district high schools in. the Hawke’s Bay edneation district in accordance with tho District High Schools Act, 1902.”