SCHOOL INSPECTION

Waipawa Mail, Volume 5, Issue 507, 24 July 1883, Page 2

SCHOOL INSPECTION

This measure, introduced into the House by Mr W. C. Smith, M.11.R., and referred to and described in a late issue of the Mail, is fixed to come on for its second reading to-morrow, ‘2sth inst. Wo gather from a report of what recently took place in Committee on the “ Westland Education Districts Subdivision Bill,” Mr Smith is likely to get votes in favor of his Bill from both sides of the House, as will be seen from the following clipping from the report we refer to :—“ During discussion in Committee on the Westlnnd Education Districts Subdivision Bill, some remarks were made on the desirability of placing School Inspectors under the direction of the Inspector-General, with the object of removing them from one district to another on a peripatetic system, so as to counteract tendencies to localism and favoritism. Mr Hutchison was desirous of saving expense by some change of system. Colonel Trimble said it was a manifest defect in the present system that inspectors were local instead of being colonial officers. Mr Fergus would like to see inspectors put under central control, paid directly by the General Government, and not located in particular districts for long periods. Mr Petrie would prefer to see this matter dealt with by the Government in a separate Bill, and ho would cordially support the suggested change. Mr Dodson said the Bill before the House would provide for this duty. The subject then dropped.” It will bo noticed that, of the speakers named, three are Government supporters and two are members of the Opposition. The fact seems to indicate that Mr Smith’s Bill has hit the opinion of the House.