THE MINISTER OF EDUCATION.

Colonist, Volume LII, Issue 12764, 4 February 1910, Page 4

THE MINISTER OF EDUCATION.

REPLIES TO CRITICISMS OF THE DEPARTMENT. | United Pbess Association.] Christohurch, Feb. 3. The Minister of Education, at the opening of a new school at Addington replied at considerable length to the recent criticisms of the Education Department. Referring to the reduction of the rebuilding votes to the liducation Boards Jie said the Government had paid to the Boards a very much larger sum than/, had been expended on rebuilding. If he was sure the Boards were saving up the money to provide for a larger amount of rebuilding in the future, it would be some encouragement to secure as early as possible the reinstatement'of the' vote, but as yet he - had not found boards doing so; Taking altogether the maintenance: and rebuilding monies paid to Bqards since the system was adopted, and the amounts expended, the ledgers of the Boards showed that in 1907 there ought to have been to credit £69,385, and in 1908 £101,341. Taking all the Boards, it was shown.that for the four years, 1904-8, the amount spent was 59.3 per cent of the money handed them for rebuilding purposes. ■ As to the withdrawal of the 9d capitation, the Government considered that as- the- general accounts of all the Boards showed balances to credit at end of 1908.0 f £29,000, the \ Boards were receiving sufficient to meet the demands of school committees. ■-.■'■■•■ '-. . Regarding the Educational Conference; he said it was called to deal with the technical teaohiag" 6ide of education, but from the statements made regarding the grants, he was beginning to think it would be necessary to call; a conference^: of the Boards to deal with questions of ad' ministration. .