DEPUTATION FROM MORNINGTON.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2301, 21 September 1870, Page 2

DEPUTATION FROM MORNINGTON.

A deputation from the School Committee of Mornington, consisting of Mr Attwo ul, the Chairman of the School Committee ; Messrs Bamford, B. B. Martin, Urc, and others, waited upon Ins Honor the Superintendent, to represent the inadequacy of the school accommodation there. The Chairman represented that the present building was now used for ho’ding a number of meetings—for meetings of the Mutual Improvement Society, for the Baud of Hope, and for literary an i other purposes. In consequence of the numerous meetings, difficulties arose with regard to the preservation of order and cleanliness. The schoolmaster complained that Ids maps were torn and defaced with dirt, the schoolroom could not he kept clean ; and the deputation wished to ascertain if there was a possibility of having a school erected so as to be separated from the district. The Superintendent : In fact you need a Town Hall. Mr Martin said his Honor was aware the building was only a temporary one, and was not adapted for a school or schoolroom. It was very much crowded with children, so that it was impossible to avoid complaint. It was not so much dirt that was complained of as that it was not large enough. In reply to His Honor’s inquiry, it was stated 102 children attended, and there was not any convenience for keeping maps and other things necessary, as the school was too small. Mr Martin said that the portion of the school in which the younger children wore taught was not more than about six foot hy eight. His Honor said there would bo no doubt that it was the duty of the ! ovcriiment to provide school accommodation for the children. As for the other objects, however praiseworthy, the Government could n>t take con.nisanco of them. The Chairman said the schoo’master had no accommodation for the children's ink, hooks, or slaves ; and in consequence there was great waste. On the evening when meetings took place, lads rushed to and fro, pens were lost, books overhauled, ink overturned and spilt upon them. On one occasion half a dozen bottles of ink were knocked over. The consequence was, that many persons complained of the expense. Mr Uke said the sohoolhousc did not belong to the Government, who merely leased it. It belonged to the district. It was very cold in winter time, and as the Government had land on which to build, he thought a building could be erected with material on the ground. A member of the deputation said that the cnnmitteee had deferred making application to the Government, as the rent of the building had been paid hy them ; hut the question could not be longer deferred. His Honor said it was a serious matter for the Government, considering the largo outlay expended on school establishments. A member of the deputation said that Caversham, with no better claim, had obtained the necessary accommodation. In Morning! on the attendance at the school was as large as there. His Honor said the Caversham people made application in time ; but it became a serious question whether the country was justified in putting up the expensive buildings that had been erected. All he could say was that ho would make inquiry as to what could be done ; but be could not hold out any great hope? until there was another appropriation, as he expected it would be found the whole of the money vote-1 was absorved. It was not so much the amount as the fact that the Government could not spend the money without an ither appropriation. Mr Martin requested his Honqi’ to take a note of the small space available in the schoolroom, and called his attention to a resolution passed by the School Committee, which was presented to him. The Superintendent asked if the inhabitants were disposed to contribute anything. Mr Bam PORI) asked what assistance the Govenmcnt could give in case of a sum being subscribed. His Honor was not in a position to say that an j tiling could be done except by anticipating a fresh vote, It was possible if they made an effort the Government might assist. Mr Bamford said they had put up the Innl-ling themselves iu the first place. The Government had been put to very little expense iu erecting the school. They had paid the rent. Mr Martin : In advance—which bad enabled fhe committee to extend the use of it. The Superintendent said the rnly other consideration was, that the building was used for so many other purposes than a school. Ho thought Mornington as much entitled to school accommo latioii as any other district. Mr Martin suggested that, as there would probably be an early meeting of the Provincial Council, the opportunity might be taken of obtaining the necessary vote. His Honor said the matter should he considered, and the deputation thanked him and withdrew.