VICTORIA COLLEGE.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 14348, 28 October 1910, Page 2

VICTORIA COLLEGE.

In the course of a short discussion in the House of Representatives on tho Taranaki Scholarships Endowment Bill attention was directed to the fact- that Taranaki boys and girls are not, for some reason, making as full use of their opportunities lor froo tuition at Victoria College as they might. Tho Bill in question is merely for tho purpose of putting tho tenants ot thq endowment reserve on a better fooling rvith respect to improvements, but opportunity was taken by Mr. Hcrdmau, meinour for Wellington North, to urge tho claims of tho V ictoria College, and to suggest that this particular reserve, or at any rate a portion of tho revenue from it, should bo devoted towards tho upkeep of tho college. As a matter of fact, wo believe such portion oi the endowment revenue as is being spent is devoted towards the upkeep of Victoria College, tho only scholarships at present awarded being utilised there. Mr. Herdiuan’s point, however, is apparently that since Taranaki hoys and girls are not taking lull advantage of their opportunities, and that the revenue from tho endowment is consequently accumulating, the Victoria College should benefit by the portion not claimed by Taranaki pupils. On the face if it Mr. Hcrdman’s suggestion is a fair one, but it appears tiiat for some reason or other Taranaki boys and girls are not given full opportunity to take advantage of the scholarships offered. Only two children —one boy and one girl—have, it appears, qualified for scholarships, while the available funds would enable at least eight to obtain tree college tuition. Air. Pearce, member for J’atca, expressed the opinion that the fault lay with the school committees of the district, but we. do not sec liow that can bo. Mr. Hino, on the other hand, suggested that the examinations might be made too stiff hv tho Senate of the University. Be that ns it may, it is a matter which tlie Taranaki Education Board . should deal with, otherwise there can bo no sound objection to tho available funds being used for the benefit of tho children of another district.