EDUCATION MATTERS

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 81, Issue 7273, 6 November 1950, Page 7

EDUCATION MATTERS

MOVE TO CREATE NEW DISTRICT HEADQUARTERS TO BE IN WAIKATO The formation of a separate education board district, with headquarters in the Waikato, is to be considered at the next meeting of the Auckland Board. The initiative has been taken by Mr. D. McCarroll, a member representing the Whaagarei area, and he has been assured of support from members of rural areas both in Northland and South Auckland. Mr. McCarroll’s contention is that the present board’s territory is far too large for efficient handling of education needs.

The Hamilton urban area and the east and west rural areas would, if Mr. McCarroll’s proposal was given effect to, constitute a new education district. This combined area contains 336 schools, 44,289 pupils, 1883 school committee members and six board members. Over the whole area administered by the Auckland Educa-

tion Board six rural members represent 497 schools, 57,142 children and 2767 committee members. By contrast, said Mr. McCarroll, 14 urban members represent 57 schools, 29,398 children and 504 committee members. Hamilton Headquarters Hamilton appears to be the logical place for headquarters of a new education district. The argument for a new district is strengthened by Mr. McCarroll’s figures relative to education districts south of the Auckland province. Auckland had 18 board members for one-third of the Dominion’s schools and school population. The other two-thirds were represented by eight education boards, with a total of 86 members. On an area basis the claim gains added value. The Auckland board’s area, based on 1947 statistics, was 22,240 square miles, compared with the total North Island area of 44,262 square miles. The difference, 22,022 square miles, contains less than half the school population of the North Island, and it has representation of four boards and 40 members.

The figures for the South Island are even more revealing regarding representation. The total school roll in the South Island in 1947 was 71,130, or 13,741 less than that of the Auckland board. The S’outh Island had four boards and 40 members. The present claim is for division of the Auckland territory into two. All Northland would be included with

the Auckland urban area, and also the northern parts of the east and west wards that are contiguous to Auckland City.