EDUCATION BOARDS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17084, 16 August 1917, Page 5

EDUCATION BOARDS

PROPOSAL TO INCREASE WARDS OF RURAL AREAS. (Feom Oob Own Cobbespondent.) WELLINGTON, August 15. Replying to a deputation of Canterbury members of Parliament, urging separate representation for the North Canterbury district on the Canterbury Education Board, it being at present joined to the West Coast, the Hon. J. A. Han an (Minister of liiducation) stated to-day ohat he had been considering the question with the view, inter alia, of increasing- the wards of rural areas in large disiricts like Canterbury. The Council of Education had considered the matter, and made certain recommendations. They recommended that urban areas witha population of from 8000 to 16,000 should return one member; those with a population of frum 16,000 to 32,000 should return two members; those with populations between 32,000 and 64,000 should return three members ; and, over 64,000, four members. It was recommended that the rural areas be divided into wards, each returning O»vo members, areas with populations of over 40,000 to comprise two. wards: those from 40,000 to 80,000, to comprise three wards; and, over 80,000, four wards. Mr Haiian said he did not know whether the opportunity would be given to him by the Government to bring forward legislation with a view of amending the IJducataon Act to remedy such matters as that brought under his notice. However, he would make representations to Cabinet with such an object in view, and he would report to them the strong facts the depute tion had laid before him, in order to have something done to place matters on a proper He did say there was need for ' vision in the direction of having an improvement made to the Act.