EDUCATION BOARD'S OPPOSITION TO RETRECHMENT.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 7983, 29 September 1887, Page 3

EDUCATION BOARD'S OPPOSITION TO RETRECHMENT.

At Wednesday's meeting of the Education Board Mr. Olson moved the following proposition, which had been tabled by him at the meeting before last : — " That the Inspector's salary and travel line: allowance be reduced from £450 to £350." Mrs. Richmond seconded the motion. Mr. Olson said it was a very disagreeable duty for him to undertake, but he considered it was necessary that retrenchment should bo commenced, and that the time to do so had arrived. Several of the other Boards in New Zealand had started. The Auckland Board, according to the Auckland Weekly News, had made reductions in expenses to the amount of £1050; the Danedin Board had also reduced expenses; the Oamaru Board likewise had curtailed expenditure, and he believed the Greymouth Board had also moved in the same direction. Mr. Man ay, be said, was a gentleman for whom he had great respect, but he did not respect the salary Mr. Murray received — £7 or £8 per week during these dull times was too much to pay. It had been said that he had moved in this direction for popularity, but he would take that for what it was worth, as be was not in the habit of seeking publicity through his actions. Mrs. Richmond spoke in the same strain as the mover, and considered that retrenchment was really needed, 'as the times demanded it.

Mr. Fadll held that there was no need <o retrench until it was began at head quarters. Mf. Andbews considered that a reduction of £100 was too much. He would favour a reduction of £50. ■ Mr. Bauohope spoke against the proposition. He quoted the salaries paid to Inspectors throughout New Zealand, and deduced therefrom that Mr. Murray was onb of the loweBj; paid of those who were in charge of districts. He would, however, favour a postponement of the question until the Estimates were presented to FfttlJarneßt, H9 mp^ «9Fhftfc tfw

question be postponed until the Estimates be presented to Parliament, then if a reduction be made in the funds supplied to the Board, tho Board will take into consideration its finnncial position, so as tD keep the expenditure of the Board within the funds (it reduced) derived from the Government." Mr. Faull seconded the amendment. The Board divided on the amendment with the following result:— Ayes (5): Messrs. Bauchope, Syme, Andrews, Foull, and Miss Heywood. Noes (3) : Mrs. Richmond, Messrs. Olson and AdlainThe motioa was then put, und lost on a similar division.