SCHOOL MAINTENANCE GRANTS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 269, 7 August 1920, Page 6

SCHOOL MAINTENANCE GRANTS

BOARD DECLARES THEM QUITE INADEQUATE. By Telegraph-Press Association. Christchurch, August fi. Mr. A. Peverill, chairman of the Firinnco Committee of the Canterbury' Education Board, reported to the board to-day that it would liavo to be very careful in regard to maintenance during the next six months. Tho chairman of the board (Mr. E. H. Andrews) said that .tho position was a very serious one. There had . been an enormous increase in ■ the cost of materials for building. The board's only chance was to battle hard with the Government for increased grants. The present grants did not covor the demands. Strong representations should be made direct to the Minister, and tho co-opera-ation of other boards should be sought. Mr. Peverill: AVe must do something. Wo can't go on like this much longer. Mr. T. Hughes said that tho present grants for maintenance, in view of: the increased cost of matorials, were quite inadequate. The Hon, J. Grimmond said tJiat the board must have more funds or■ allow its schools to become a disgrace to the board and the Government. The strongest representations possible should' be made to the. Government. Mr. W. A. Banks said tlmt the Iward was spending a good deal of money on buildings that should be rebuilt, as they were about ,forty years old. Tho following motion.was carried:— "That the strongest representations bo mado to the Minister of Education as to the utter inadequacy of the fuhds_ grantHd for maintenance of school buildings, owing to the extremely high cost now and for some time past involved in repairs of buildings, which cost the bonrd feels that the Department did not fully realise'when fixing tho amounts of grants, and that this resolution be embodied in a remit to the, conference of the Education Boards' Association."