NEW EDUCATION BOARD

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2846, 10 August 1916, Page 6

NEW EDUCATION BOARD

HON.J.G.W. AITKEN APPOINTED CHAIRMAN WELDING TWO DISTRICTS The Hon. .T. G. W. Aitkcii, M.L.C.j. Messrs. 11. A. Wright M.P.,. Thos. Forsyth, and Wm. Allau (Wellington), A. W. Hogg and T. Jloss (Wairarapa), W. H. Field, M.P., and J. Kobbell (Horowhenuai, A. Mackay and E. H. Penny (Marlborough), Gen. London, and 13. P. Bishworth (Hutfc and Petono), were present at the first meeting of the newly-constituted Wellington Education Board (which includes, under the newly-arranged boundaries of the Education Districts, the Marlborough Distriot). At the opening of the meet ing of tha now hoard the chair was occupied by the secretary (Mr. G. I/. Stewart). The only nomination for the position of chairman was the Hon. J. G. W. Aitken, and that gentleman was duly elected to the position. The secretary (Mr. G. L. Stewart) said he proposed to give the members of "tho Wellington Board a brief outline of the Wellington Board's finances, as thoy stood on July 31: On January 1 last the board had a riot balance to credit of £7811 18s. -2d. On July 31., the receipts for t?ie seven months of the year had totalled £84,665 12s. 6d., and the disbursements, £85,040 ss. Sd., leaving a credit of £7437 ss. There were amounts due by the board totalling £6895 Bs. 2d., and there, were gratUf in hand in excess of expenditure, amounting to £776 Ss. 10d. Tho commitments of the board amounted to about, £20(10. Mr. E. S. Hylton. on behalf of tho late Marlborough Education Board, said that on July 31' there were credit balances amounting to £1408 10s. !)d., and debit balances totalling £1653 18s. 6d. The assets amounted to £1160 4s. 4d., liabilities to £f)62 ss. 6r1., leading a. deficit- of £47 Bs. lOd. Against that there was the sum of £461 duo to the board for maintenance of b.uildinrts. The board was committed to works estimated to cost £270. • Mr. : Hylton said there were m»."v little things to settle up and explain as affecting the Marlborough District, which he suggested should he left to Mr.-' Stewart and himself to fix up. That was agreed to. Mr. A. Mackny, who naid a tribute to tlio good work, which had been done by Mr. Hylton, suggested that it might be advantamons to keen him in. Blenheim. The chairman said lie did not think there was milch chance of that, as the amalgamation of the districts bad been brought about to save administrative expenses. : Mr. Mackay was understood to say that it nigbt save money to keep Mr. TTyJton in Blenheim rather than in Wellington! ■ The chairman said that the services ' of Mr. Hylton would not be so readily available as .in the past, as lie would, for the next few weeks, have to consult with Mr. Stewart, and for that reaison the Blonheini office hours-(as far ■as Mr. Hylton was concerned) would necessarily be curtailed. Tho chairman said tliat he assumed that_ the Bank of New Zealand would continue to be the bankers of the . hoard as in the past,, and all cheques would have to be signed by the secretary and one member of the board. On the motion of Mr. W. H. Field this was decided upon. The chairman said it would be their duty to decide on which day of the month the new board would ineet. Mr. A. Mackay (Blenheim) said that tils day that would suit tho Marlborough members would be Wednesday, as there was always a steamer arriving from Picton about 10 p.m. ou a Tuesday. As . tho Blenheim members wero the most awkwardly situated it was decided that the monthly meeting of the board should he held on the last Wednesday in the month. . On the motion of the chairman it was decided that the whole of tho board should he the Finance Committee, and that it should sit at 10 a.m. on the last Wednesday of tho month— one hour before the time fixed for the ordinary monthly meeting ■ of tho board. '