THE “TEC.” AND SUBSIDIES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXVI, Issue 18257, 16 August 1921, Page 9

THE “TEC.” AND SUBSIDIES

COUNTY COUNCIL WANTS REPRESENTATION.

When a letter was received by the Waitotara County Council yesterday from the Wanganui Technirai College asking for the annual subsidy of £2 5 which is usually paid in Mareh, the explanation was made that the college had not previously applied for it. Cr. Morrison, the chairman, in moving that the subsidy should he paid, said the Government should take over the whole of the cost of education. He could rot see why it should not. As far as the value of the college to the county was con. cerned, the county was ad a disadvantage in getting children to school. Overtures had been made to the Railway Department in regard to altering its time table but no concession had been made. It might be done in time but at present the coliege was not of much use to the county, except for those whose parents could afford to send their children to the hostel. Still, the college was a good thing. It was. he thought on a very different footing from the Museum and the Library, The college was essential, but the others were not. Some people thought the library was, but he would like to know how many books of fiction were taken out. People who were improving their minds did not generally take out books of fiction. Cr. Burnet pointed out. that under the amended management, flat Council, which paid a subsidy, would have no more representation on the Board than a local body which paid none. Cr. C. Smith said he was going to vote against the motion owing to the financial position of the county. Cr. Jones said they could not ex. I pect every local body to have representation on the board of manager.* as it would be unwieldy. It might look like a bad proposition for the county to have to assist an institution like the Technical College but it was a source of necessary instruction. Cr. Burnet said that all the same it was not right that those who did not contribute anything should have the same representation as those who did. Cr. Ross said that as long as contributions were made, the Govern, ment would not take over the college. He felt the same about representation as Cr. Burnet did. The Council, however, decided to vote the £25 and appointed Cr. G. Russell as the Council’s representative.