SCHOOL BUILDINGS

Otago Witness, Issue 3509, 14 June 1921, Page 44

SCHOOL BUILDINGS

ALLEGATIONS AGAINST THE EDUCATION DEPAH I MENT. INVERCARGILL, June 10. At to-day's meeting of tlio Southland Education Hoard, Mr F. G. Wake moved the foil .living motion: —“That, in the opinion of (his board, the Minister of Education should accede to tlie request made by Mr H Masters, M.P., that a return be presented to Parliament showing the number and location of primary schools for which grants of £15,000 have been paid up to August, 1920.” Referring to hip disclosure that £7OOO had been granted for the purchase of Land *nd buildings for «. hostel at Ilawera which contained only six boarders at the end of April. Mr Blake said that the Hon. O. J. Par r had not refuted his statements. This

case could be supported by others. What was to lie thought when Palmerston North was given a greater amount for the erection of additional buildings than had been given for new primary schools? Furthermore, the central hall had been allowed in this case, although the Education Department had ostensibly' set. its face against them, and had repeatedly refused them to other applicants. Mr Blake went on to declare that there had been lavish expenditure in connection with certain buildings and niggardly treatment in connection with others. Had the money been justly expended the Minister would not ho afraid to supply the return asked for. The Minister had "splashed out” without due care, and now he was crying that ho was short ot funds. 'Jlio motion was carried unanimously, the members expressing the opinion that the South Island was being treated unfairly.