WELLINGTON'S NEW SCHOOL TERRITORY

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2708, 1 March 1916, Page 6

WELLINGTON'S NEW SCHOOL TERRITORY

——-♦ — .MARLBOROUGH ANXIOUS ABOUT 'IHE FUTURE. A deputation of members of the Marlborough Education Board waited on the Wellington Board yesterday to make certain suggestions respecting local administration after the Wellington Board had taken- over the administration of educational affairs in that district. Mr. T. Moss introduced deputation. • Mr. Penney (chairman) pointed out that the percentage of attendance in the Marlborough district was 91.44 per tent, in 1914, and was practically the same last year. It cauie second to any district in the Dominion. The state of the buildings was very good, most of th# schools were new or partly new. and had always been well attended to. Most of them wero supplied with septic tank systems of drainage,, and they liad done everything they' oould to preserve the health of the children. They did not like to be pitched on to Wellington, but i he realised that all roads led to Wellington both as regards the . commercial, political, and educational life of the district of Marlborough, so that they were pleased to be' partners. He pointed out the aeod of having someone who knew the district and its needs. He understood that an! inspector was to be stationed there, .but -he thought that some-administrative officer with local knowledge should work with him. Every Saturday teachers came into Blenheim to consult with the secretaiy (Mr. Hilton), and the members of the commits tee were always dropping & to consult with that officer. He mentioned tho iiame of, Mr. Hilton because he liad been so long connected with the board, arid knew the district so well. Mr. Mackay said he failed to see how such a largo ■ district as Marlborough could bb represented without a local administrative officer, and office. They asked for the recommendation of the Wellington Board to the incoming board to support their request for a local officer... - , In answer to a; question, Mr. Penney caid that the. staff, other than the inspector, iwere a clerk and an assistant. He also "stated' that there wero 99 schools ill the district. Mr. Nees also spoke. ; The chairman (Mr. J. G .W. Aitken) said that-they were pleased to see them and hear what they had to say. He could not say. what the board would do; 'but -it was " quite likely that the board would leave it alone, leaving the point to ■ the' incoming ! board to finally decide. That board might resent any action in the matter on the part of tho Wellington Board.v Mr. Aitken said that the reason for merging'the Marlborough district into Wellington was to economise in administrative expenses. If it were not so there would be no reason in joining the two districts. Ha ■could not say, if a permanent office wero established, whether the expenses would be reduced, indeed, it was jwssible that they might be' increased. He could assure them, however, that if the pre-sent-members were returned in the July election that Marlborough would receive every consideration.