EDUCATION BOARD.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXV, Issue 5031, 31 July 1903, Page 6

EDUCATION BOARD.

SERIOUS STATE OP THE FINANCES . Tha monthly meeting of the Educaton Board was held yesterday afternoon. Present—The chairman (Air F. Bradey), Messrs A. W. Hogg, M.H.R., W. Allan, J. Young, J. Kebhell W. C. Buchanan, A1.H.R,., E. Feist, ‘ and W. Lee. The chairman welcomed Air W. Allan, tho newly-elected mombor of the Board, who took his scat for tho first time. Tho statement of finances showed that the general, building and cookery debit account stood at £9175 12s, against which there was a deposit account of £SO, leaving an overdraft at the bank for tho month ending yesterday of £9125 12s. Other moneys to bo paid out are—Contract liabilities, due July 30, £1483 Os sd, and the pay sheet representing a sum of £4699 9s. An application for a school at Northland was considered. Inspector Bakewell considered that it was profnaturo as there was still room at tho Thorndon, Terrace and Karori schools. Considerable discussion aroso when tho disposal of tho old school building at tho Lower Hutt was considered. Tho members all agreed to the building being sold for removal, but it was suggested that tho land also bo sold'.

Air Hogg was of opinion that very serious consideration should bo given to tho matter of parting with any lands vested in tha Board. He was entirely opposed to selling this section. It was in a district that was going ahead rapidly, and values were incroasnig every clay.

3lr Buchanan thought that in tho present state of the Board’s finances all land not actually required for educational purposes should bo sold. Mr John Young frjt that tho very best should ho dono with all such property. and ho was in sympathy with Mr Hogg in holding on to tho land in tho possession of the Beard. It was decided that the building be sold either by public auction or tender. Mr Buchanan gave notico of motion that tho section in question he sold. Applications for grants were received for a shod to school residence at Wainui-o-Mata. additional rooms at Tokomaru and Mastcrton, and improvements to tho grounds at tho latter place. All were deferred for tho present, in view of tho state of tho Board’s finances. M hen Masterton’s request was discussed. Mr Feist drew tho Board’s attention to tho fact that a section of land had been offered to the Board for educational purnoscs opposite tho Catholic school in Mnstwton by the Masterton Trust Lands Trustees. Tt was resolved that thn secretary write to tho trustees asking them when the section would ho available for tho erection of the proposed high school. —Th'S Was car’icdAnnßcctious for grants for a- gas connection for chomisirv and cookie— foils! and Bay. a painting s'-hnol at PB-do ouay and a. stove for the school res?, denoe at Featherston v.-'-ro sot aside for the same reason as given above. The attention of the Boned was drawn bv Mr Hogg to *}i" verv serious s'ate of Pee TTon-rd’s financ-s. end h" ureod that tho mot+rr hr. brenehf under p, f . ro+iee of the Mi-iyw fc- TV! T r !T , ~f ifoly+o-no ■*- n the many new school dint t»,i recently erected and keep them in

repair. He was daily postered with requo.~ls fur repairs to the schools in tile Wairarapa; either llie lavalo-ritae wanted seeing to. or tho latrines needed at.muion. uml tlu-y were in the humiliating position of not being able to attend even to these little matters, lie moved •• That- tho attention of the Minister of Lducation he Unvoted tctho large sum due ou account- ol build, mgs constructed and lately completed with tho sanction of his depar.imeiit, aim that lie b.i reepvctlTillv asked to’ ttss.st the Hoard in gevtmg its iinancui! position so improved that buildings and repairs urgently required can bo proceeded with. - ' in seconding this motion, IMr stated that at present the resources of tiio Hoard were completely crippled. They wore expected to an on with the same al.owauoe as years ago. Nowadays the priei of land it they had to purchase any was very mucii higher, ami the cost of building was .XU per cent, higher than fen years ago. Jf wan urgent that the Hoard should have a larger vote. _ The chairman stated that the position of the Hoard's iinanees had been set out and forwarded to the Minister, and tho secretary was called upon to read it to the members. Mr Huchanan said they -must noh stop at that—they must dig it in again and with greater force. They wore bv present circumstances utterly prevented from carrying out their functions an provided by the Legislature. Without any incoming moneys tho overdraft, at tho bank would now ho over ,111500. Mr John Toting was of opinion (hiu quite £IO,OOO was needed annually by tho Hoard instead of tJ,to £SOOO now roccived from the Government. Mr Leo brought up the matter of (he Hoard not having adequate representation on tho Technical hxlncation Hoard, and regretted that Mr Hradoy hud been absent from recent meetings, as the business had been of an important nature. Mr Hradoy pointed out that ha had sent in ids resignation somo time ago, and it luid been accepted. On the motion of tho chairman, Mr XV. Allan was appointed to fill tho vacancy caused by Mr Hradey’s retirement.