FLASHES FROM WELLINGTON.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18189, 23 June 1927, Page 5

FLASHES FROM WELLINGTON.

(Special to the “Star.”) WELLINGTON, June 23. Need for Dock. The mishap to the Makura and her trip to Auckland for docking has emphasised the desire for a dock and facilities at Wellington. The matter was mentioned at the Harbour Board meeting. The board’s engineer is at present abroad making inquiries regarding the provision of a floating dock. Housing. The housing problem was discussed by the Harbour Board, Mr G. Mitchell suggesting the granting of, say, £2OOO covered by Government bonds bearing interest at 51 per cent and a mortgage over the property. He said that the whole of the work of erecting the homes and selecting the tenants could be done by some outside body such as the Hutt Housing Committee. He moved to set up a committee to furnish a report on the financial and social side of the matter, and this was approved. Mr J. W. M’Ewan said that some years ago the board was offered forty acres for £4OOO. That land was now worth £40,000. It was a great pity that the opportunity had been neglected. Retiring of Teachers. The retiring of teachers was a question debated by the Education Board when Mr G. London moved that the previous resolution providing that teachers be retired on the last day of the month on which they attained the retiring age of fifty-five for women and sixty-five for men. be rescinded, and that teachers whose periods extended into the second and third periods of the school year should be continued in the service till the end of the year in the interests of the school, as well as of the teachers. Other members were of opinion that the school work was jeopardised by staff changes during the 3 ear, and the motion was carried. Bible in Schools. By eight to three the Education Board refused to alter its attitude with regard to the Bible in Schools League representatives being allowed access to school registers with a view to obtaining the names and addresses of parents for a plebiscite. Mr L. 11. Atkin said that all the Bible in Schools League asked for was power to obtain the opinion of parents on a very vital question. At such a time as the present, when there was a weakening of the economic, social and moral standards, such a request from an intelligent section of the communit)’ should not be lightly brushed aside. The chairman considered that the fairest way to settle the question was a referendum of parents. He also resented the suggestion of those opposing giving access to the registers, that the original question had not been fully discussed.