Wairarapa Daily Times [Established Quarter of a Century.] FRIDAY, JULY 3, 1903. TEACHEES' RESIDENCES.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 7502, 3 July 1903, Page 2

Wairarapa Daily Times [Established Quarter of a Century.] FRIDAY, JULY 3, 1903. TEACHEES' RESIDENCES.

It is to be hoped that, now the vigorous hand of the Premier holds the reins of the Education Department, there will be a quickening of its administration throughout the Colony. The Colony does not yearn for any radical changes, but it does very much desire to see the existing machinery working more profitably, and to the better advantage of those concerned. Nobody has more reason for devoutly so hoping than the teachers of many country schools, in respect of the residences provided for them. The subject is one upon which the teachers themselves cannot, of course, expatiate much ; nor can they approach the Boards or the Department with such statements of their grievances, as the facts would warrant. The truth is that, in many country schools, (not in altogether remote localities either) the houses are simply hovels, monuments, in decaying timber, of comparatively primitive times. Originally, a mere shell was erected, in many instances, a whare, for the use of the teacher of a small school. As the community grew, the shell' was added to. Slab 3, old packing cases, lumber, were utilized; and an additional room or a couple of rooms tacked on to the ancient structure. After the lapse of years, further extensions were made,- this time probably in the shape of more pretentious " front rooms." Then the tout ensemble, covered with a coat or two of paint, passed for a decent residence. But under its paint and modem air it could bo perceived that the vestiges of three distinct eras wore falling asunder, timber rotting, boards gaping asunder, roofs falling in from sheer old age, and tottering chimneys threatening to fall. It needed but a cursory inspection to see the signs of decay and disintegration, and the various Boards, cramped in their financial resources, did what they could. They repaired roofs, papered interiors, and painted outsides; and generally patched up the old wrecks. Thus, vast sums of money were annually wasted in " doing up" old buildings that any vigorous Municipal Council would have condemned. As a matter of fact, dwellings in Wellington have been condemned which were no whit more worthy of that fate than several teachers' residences in various parts of the Colony. We are in possession of evidence on this point from every educational district in New Zealand. The teachers suffer in silence; and the public are little aware of the extent of their sufferings. The wretched condition of affairs is not chargeable to the Board. Their building grants are meagre; and the pressure of urgent requests that are month after month made to them is unquestionable evidence of the reality of the grievances to which wo refor. The Boards administer their funds to tho best advantage, and with the ..most honest and booencent intention. What is needed ? That the Treasurer shall place on the Estimates a special allotment to Boards, ear-marked for the erection of now school-houses, or additions to existing structures, But, in order that money so voted may be advantageously expended, the co-operation of local CoiHr mittees must be sought, and Boards relieved of the details. Estimates furnished by Committees, with the understanding that the Committees would be entrusted witn the garrying out of the work, would be more reasonable than estimates furnished to Boards by contractors ; and the Committees might be relied upon to see the work carried out efficiently, if they were entrusted with tho expenditure pf the money. It is time, if the School Committee, ai an institution, is to continue a, statutory body under the Education Act, that its powers were enlarged and its usefulness augmented. Tho now Minister of Education might well signalise his term of office by effecting this, a most urgently needed reform. Ho would thus do much to further the cause of education, by promoting the domestic comfort of those who have to carry out tho main provisions of the Act.

If there be one solid fact which the pre- j sent Administration has brought home to, tho Colonists of Now Zealand, it is that eight- hours labour per diem, and in some cases seven hours and fifty minutes, is the | limit to which they can go. Seven hours and fifty minutes labour per*day means human happiness—and eight hours and! ten minutes spells human misery ! Wo trust this noble sentiment will be carefully observed amongst the Legislators now assembled at Wellington. It is the duty of the Colony to insist that they do not work more than seven Lours and fifty minutes per diem. More especially is this essential as a check upon the exuberance of ouryouthful Premier. On no account ought he to transgress tho stipulated hours which he has assigned to other people. Wβ trust to hoar that Parliamentary hours will be confined this session to a couple of hours in the forenoon and two more in the afternoon ; the balance, one hour and fifty minutes, to be devoted to Cabinet and Departmental duties. Ministers, too, should have two half-holidays per week, and employ them in golfing at Miramar. We feel sure that the interests of the Colony would not suffer under a time arrangement of this kind. It might mean cutting down speeches from three hours to three minutes; but would not this be a blessing for everybody, including the speakers themselves ? Lst us carry out the seven hours and fifty minutes labour idea in its integrity, the House sitting from ten to twelve a.m., and from two to four p.m.; despatching business with clear heads and clear consciences. We should then get quality instead of quantity in our Legislation.