EDUCATIONAL MATTERS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13079, 15 September 1904, Page 7

EDUCATIONAL MATTERS.

(Per United Punas Association-.)

AUCKLAND, September 14,

Tho action of tlio Government in withholding a largo part of the Auckland Education Build's quarterly grants ivas referred to again at tlio board's meeting to-day, when s, reply was received from Mr Minnie-, M.R.K., to Hie effect that, together with other Auckland members of Parliament, ho would seize an early opportunity of interviewing tlio Premier. Tho board's secretary state;! that the building account was now in debt to tins amount of £3242. : It was true that ;i special grant of some £1500 was now due, to bo received, but unless the deductions from ordinary grants wero promptly mado good toe account would bo considerably overdrawn at tlio end of tho month, it was agreed to wiro to Mr Bafcmo urcuic that tho matter be rectified before the month expired. Reporting to tho Auckland Education Board this afternoon, Mr George, director of technical instruction, suggested that .now the City Council had provided them with a sito for a technical Echool tho board should have plana liwpared so that tho erection of a building might be proceeded with at once. Ho supposed tho Government would net give all tlio money required in ono sum, but it might give £WOO or £5000 per annum, and the building could bo erectcd in instalments. Hp estimated tho total cost of the building and equipment at £30,000. There 'wero many departments 0 £ technical education that hail not yet been touched. Mr E'obbs referred to the Premier's statement that members of public bodies were inclined to ask for extravagant grants merely for tho sako of embarrassing tho Government. Mr M'Keiizie: "There ia a good dq aj. of truth in that." Mr Gcorgo said ho proposed that tho buildings should include a technical school, teacher's training college, and board offices. It was decided to instruct tho architects to prepaao tho plans asked for. Mr Georgo reported on tho replica from tho Farmers' Unions as to assistance towards his scheme for engaging a travelling agricultural instructor. Only ono union (that at Ohaupo) agreed to contribute. Tho bi-aiich at Kaipara. Flats sont a most interesting reply, in which it emphatically refused to assist, and added: "'Kaipara Flats branch of the Farmers' Union considers that technics)! education is unsuitable and unnecessary." Mr George remarked: "That sounds like tlio last word on tho subject." Mr Greenslade expressed great regret that any farmers' union should in these days fail to roaliso tlio great value of technical education. Farmers at Ohaupo (to whose union bo belonged) held a very different opinion. Tho matter was deferred for a fortnight. lIOKITIKA, September 14. At tlio Education Board meeting correspondence was received from tho Auditorgeneral demanding a copy of the board's balaneo sheet on tho form provided by the Audit Department, and practically threatening the board to flop its supplies unless the demand \Vas acceded to. Tho board was of opinion tlio Auditor-general was mistaken in his facts, and until ho withdrew tho charge of misfeasance or misappropriation of funds, which lie had made against tlio board, further information would be refused, except a copy of tlto balanco sheet as alroady forwarded. It was also decided to forward a. resume of tlio wliole. cone.spondenco to the Minister of Education.