THE TOWN SCHOOLS' CAPITATION GRANT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 192, 23 August 1900, Page 2

THE TOWN SCHOOLS' CAPITATION GRANT.

A deputation from the Town School Committee, consisting of tho Chairman (Mr. Collis) and Messrs. Cattloy and F. Bellringer, waited on the Education Board on Wednesday to draw attention to the special arrangement made with the Committee in the matter of capitation allowance.

Mr. Collis said that the deputation had been appointed in consequence of a letter from the Bond, whereby tho capitation grant would be reduced by about £'6o per annum. The Committee felt it would be impossible to carry on their work if the grant were reduced. The question was not a new one, as was shown by their minutes, extracts of which he read, showing that several years back a special allowance beyond the scale had been made to enable the Committee to make both ends meet. He read their last year's balance-sheet, whereby it appeared that on repairs to fences and buddings alone their expenditure was over £i%, and their balance only £6 10s 4d. If the capitation were reduced the Committee would be com-1 polled to cast the expense of repairs on the Board. He pointed out also that they had heavy expenses in connection with sanitary measures, which did not fall on country schools, but was compulsory owing to the necessity of complying with the borough bye-laws. They were not asking for any increased graut, but that it should be on the same basis as hitherto.

In answer to questions, Mr. Oollis said that their expense for stationery last year was £l2 18s 3d; that they did not impose a charge on the parents for this, asit was looked upon us a tax, and many were unable to pay ft; that their cavitation grant was £lB4 lis 4d; that £4O was about an average expense for repairs; and that the cleaning cost, for tne three schools, £B4 lis 4d—the Central School alone costing £4 a month for cleaning. Mr. Oattley endorsed Mr. Oollis' remarks and referred to the large expenditure the Committee had met in asphalting the front of the school, pointing out that only a small pdrtion of that expense appeared in the accounts, as tbe greater part had been defrayed by the proceeds of entertainments.

Mr. Alls worth, in moving that the matter be referred bo the Finance Committee, said that the information given by the deputation had taken him by surprise, and he was sure that had it been before the Finance Committee when the reduction was decided on, he would have suggested that the Town Committee should be commnnicated with before action was taken. He pointed out, however, according to Mr. CjlUs, the town school had been receiving £3O over the scale allowed other sohools; also that Stratford was in identically the same position as New Plymouth, and that as the district was growing rapidly it would be unfair to single out one school for preference, and if schools like Stratford and Inglewood came to the Board for the same treatment the Board's finances could not bear the strain. He thought that! the Finance Committee might possibly recommend some such arrangement as Mr. Collis hinted at, namely, not to disturb the arrangement for the present year.

Mr. Mackay seconded the motion, which was generally approved by the other members, and passed. The deputation thanked the Board and withdrew.