“NOT FOOLS”

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 17918, 24 October 1932, Page 10

“NOT FOOLS”

EDUCATION BOARD MEMBERS DEPARTMENT'S ACTION CRITICISED RECOMMENDATJOSS FOR WORK The action of the Education Department in refusing a request of the .lawkc’s Bay Education Board in connection with the Kaiwaka South School and yet granting it when approached by Mr 'II. M. Campbell, M.P.. at the instance of the settlers, was deprecated by the chairman of the nhwho's Bay Education Board, Mr G. A. Maddisou, at the meeting of the Ixjard in Napier yesterday, when a tetter was received from the Minister in regard to the Clive Grange School dating that the ease was regarded as loss urgent than a number of other applications, and in view of this the application for additions would bo held over, Although the department had Ibcen ghod in regard to the restoration of earthquake damage, the Ilawke’s Bay listrict was unable to obtain grants for any other work, stated Mr Maddi<bn. An instance of this was the refusal of 'the department to grant money for improvements at Kaiwaka South. Although the board was turnurl down in this matter the settlers themselves, with (the aid of the members for Hawke’s Bay, were able to secure what they wanted. This seemed an extraordinary policy, continued the chairman. The board was there to go into the matter .of the requirements of jthje district and the judgment of the members should carry some weight with (the Minister. The seriousness of the position at Olive Orange was stressed by the Key. 11. Waugh, who stated that the position was becoming desperate. Mr Maddisou: They are spending money in other parts of New Zealand. Mr J. 8. Wauchop: If our advice is not to be taken in tlies,o matters unless it is backed up by members of Parliament we are merely wasting our time here as a (board and might as well get out. Mr Maddisou: Should education boards be abolished it will be one of the- most re'trogade steps ever taken. “Men on education boards arc not fools,” continued Mr Maddisou, “and we do not make applications Or statebents to the department merely for the sake of doing so.” it was decided to write further to the department stressing the need for the work to be carried out.