The Schools Capitation Allowance.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 11648, 3 April 1901, Page 1

The Schools Capitation Allowance.

AN INJUSTICE TO TOWN SCHOOLS. (By Scrutator.)

That a great injustice is about to be done to the town schools by the Taranaki Education Board in cutting down the capitation allowance seems a fact there is no getting away from, for looking at its action from whichever point of view we may we can see it in no other light. That the Board is acting within its rights in reducing the capitation allowance to the Town Committee, from 7s per capita less 5 per cent to 4s 6d per capita in regard to the Central School, and 6s per capita for the first 50 and 3s per capita over 50 up to 100 of attendance for the West Infants School, we admit, but taking the circumstances of the case into consideration we have no hesitation in saying that its action is both arbitrary and unreasonable. The whole question was thrashed out and, it was thought, settled many years ago, for we find as far back as January 27th, 1886, the following resolution passed at a meeting of the Town School Committee : — "That the following letter be sent to the Board : 'Sir,— With reference to the Board's circular of the 13 th inst. I am instructed by the Town School Committee to inform you that as the Committee find it impossible to carry out the works mentioned in the circular within the income voted by the Board, viz , 6s per head it is the intention of the Committee to throw the woik on the Inspector as suggested in the circular and that the Committee will consequently give notice to alt the caretakers that their services will be dispensed with as far as the Committee is concerned from and after the- 31st March next.

Also, on same date., That haying regard to the impecuniou&iatate .of .the Board, and being desirous of co-operating wiih them in laudable efforts to retrench, the members of this Committee express their willingness to dispense with. the services of their Clerk, and do the work themselves provided the members of the Board will agree to forego, their travelling and other allowances. Again, on March 12th, 1886, the Committee's minute book discloses the following : — Letter received from the Board enclosing resolution to the. effect that the Board undertake all repairs, supply water and jnraat capitation allowance for all other purposes of seven shillings (7s) per head. Resolved, That in consideration of the Board paying a capitation allowance of seven shillings for cleaning purposes only the Committee withdraws its letter to the Board of 2/th .January last. Minute Book, June 10th, 1887 ;— A circular letter dated June 3rd, 1887, was received from the Board informing the Committee that owing to the Government having reduced the capitation allowance to the Board by one-fifth on each attendance per' annum the. Board is obliged to reduce the capitation allowance to the Committee in the same proportion, i.e., 20 per cent,, or 1-6 th of the present grant. The Board requested that the funds at the Committee's disposal may be devoted as far as possible to keeping the school buildings, grounds, and furniture in repair and suggested that the Committee should endeavour to raise funds looally to supply many of the requirements hitherto paid oqt of the capitation allowance. Consideration held ever till Treasurer furnishes statement of expenditure for the year. Minute book August 12th, 1887:— The Treasurer brought up bis estimate of expenditure for the present year, showing that the Committee cannot carry on the work in connection with the town schools under from £158 to £160 for the year. Report adopted. Minute book August 20 tb. 1888:— A letter dated August 9 th, 1888, was re ceived from the Board, with copy of resolution as follows : < That notice b$ given to the New Plymouth School Committee that the Board will terminate the special financial arrangement made with the Committee at the ond of the present quarter. The Board will continue the extra capitation allowance (5s 7d per head per annum) and water service, but the Committee will be expected to attend to all minor repairs, and perform such pthar services as are usually attended to by other Committees.. The 5s 7d referred to above appears to have been the original capitation allowance (7s), less 20 per cent, by which it was proposed to reduce the allowance in consequence of the -Government having reduced the capitation allowance to the. Board by one- fifth. No w, ft appears that tho Government did not reduce the capitation allowance to the Board, and it appears also that the Board did not reduoe the capitation allowance to the Committee to 5s 7d per capita, but contented itself with reducing it by 5 per cent., and this has been the amount paid in regard to the town schools for years i past without question or comment, viz., 7s per capita, less 6 per cent. Why less 5 per cent, does not transpire. Now the Board swoops down upon the Committee, and reduces the capitation allowance as from the 31st March, 1901 (without even having the excuse of a reduction by the Government, either real or imaginary, of its own capitation allow ance), as stated above, and we consider that this aotion is most arbitrary and quite uncalled for. Had Committees neglected their duties, had they squandered the money entrusted to them, had they spent it in useless and extravagant undertakings it would be a different matter, but it is well known by everybody who bus eyes to see with that successive School Committees have been faithful stewards, and have not only guarded well their finances, but have done work in and about the schools which spoaks for itself and in no' uncertain or dubious language. How, if the Board persists in its resolve to out their finances down as proposed, the work of tha schools it to be carried out by the committee » a mystery which future committee! will have

to solve, if they can. But we hope it ill not yet too late for the Board to recon* aider its determination, for it must b* obvious to all thinkiug persons that if 7» per capita was required in 1886 to enable the committee to carry out the work of the schools exclusive of repairs (vide Board's resolution above), 7s per capita is none too much to enable them to carry it but inclusive of minor repairs, especially now that the buildings, fences, &c, are no longer new and are constantly requiring attention.