THE WAITARA SCHOOL

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 12761, 14 January 1905, Page 3

THE WAITARA SCHOOL

31 r Seddon, as Minister p or Educa- ri turn, received a deputation from the local School Caminittoe, headed by Mr Ne'Abfiy (chairman), who directed the 31 mister's attention to the overcrowded btat-e of the school. JIo stated that the pupils attending (he school exceeded by 50 per cent, the nuimbcr tor whom accommiodation was providi><\, causing tho teacher., to L-omplain that this stale of things prejudicially afVcctod the examination results. Dr. Valintinc, Avho was also present, agreed that the school was overcrowded. In replying to the deputation's coonplaint, the Premier remarked that Parliament hud voted a much larger Kiim this year than formerly for building purposes. JEach board got its amount of money in accordance with tho schedule sanctioned ry Parliament, and tr-e Government handed tlin money over to the boards on the understanding that it would be i.'scd to meet urgent cases. The Government had citlicr to rely upon boards spending the money wisely. ->r < % ls; 1 tho public would want to know whether they should not be done away with altogether. The inercus.es hi votes for these educational purposes durinjr the past four years mul been in proportion considoraby in excess of the increase in population.. if therewere ca?es like that of Waitara. then, the board in chargo of the district was to blame, and should be told fo. There was a special vote for bchools in jiewly-scttled histri<-ts', and the "department yearly asked each board to state its ror^uirfw-nts to meet the necas of increasing population, and money was allocated according to the information furnished. Therefore, if, as stated by "Mr Ncwbc'ry, then* wa« overcrowding to tho extent of 50 per cent, at Waitara. then ;'; ' the Turanaki JMucution Board was to blame, and public opinio.i i should be brought to bear on tl.c--Board itself. This would result 1 ultimaTpJy in Parlia?n«n* insisting: upo.) the JniildLng fund being allocated by Ihe Government itself. Then; was a large sum of money, approximating .Cl oo,ooo, voted, and the Minister responsible to Parliament had really no say in its disposal. Tho Premier thought thi3 was a state of affairs contrary to constitutional principles, as it enabled boards to mis-finono or do what they liked with tho money. He recommended the Conwnitleo to

point out to the Board lhat the Health Department iuvd emphasised the insanitary condition of tho school, owing to ovevcrowdhig. and the Board should be" asked for a n explanation, which he would also ask for i himself, and a good deal -\ould dopond upon the position found to ohi tain. It was tho duty of tho Bo'>rJ to acquaint tho 'Government of such a condition of things, and the Premier said he would; make e'i>.'iiirk\»" )»■ to it before leaving Tvr a naki.