THE MOTUEKA SCHOOL.

Colonist, Volume LVI, Issue 13448, 2 June 1914, Page 3

THE MOTUEKA SCHOOL.

(To the Editor of "Th* Colonist.")

Sir,—ln "The Colonist" of April 28th appeai-e the account of the opening ceremony in connection with the new school at Motueka. Your report makes the chairman of the board say in the course of his speech that the cost of the building was £1850, and the cost of plans and supervision £260, equal to 144 per cent, on the cost of the building. I had expected to' see a correction of these figures made, and even waited for the Education Board meeting, still expecting that there was some error, but to my surprise there has been-no correction made, the only reference that appears to have been made to the new building at the board meeting being a report "that several serious leaks were reported to have been discovered in the new school during the recent wet weather." The Education Board is not to be commended for careful administration in any respect, but in the matter of preparation of plans and supervision of buildings it is time there was a drastic change in its methods. My main object in writing this is to draw attention to this particular incident, and ask that local bodies _be warned against such things happening under their management. Rates and taxation are quite heavy enough, and continually increasing,. without such foolish waste of public money going on. In conclusion, I would ask the members of the Education Board whether m their own private business they would allow the cost of plans and supervision of work to be 14 per cent, on the cost, or whether they would employ an architect at the recognised charges, i.e., 2% per cent, for plans and 2| per cent, for supervision, a total of 5 per cent, on the job. Thanking you in anticipation. I am, etc., RATEPAYER.