DEPUTATION.

Evening Star, Issue 4286, 21 November 1876, Page 2

DEPUTATION.

This morning„a deputation from the Dunedin School Committee, comprising Messrs Street, Bell, Strode, Livingston, Shrrwin, Ramsay, and James, waited upon the Com* missioner of Customs and brought under Iris notice several matters connected with the schools under the Committee's charge. * - In reference to the first the delay in accepting tenders for the erection of the new Middle School, the Hon. Mr M'Lean said he was unable to tell what had been the reason of the delay. The moment it came under his notice it was put out at once, and knowing the want of the school he pushed it through at once. The contract had been signed, and he believed the contractors were collecting the materials with the view of going on quickly with the work. The second matter, providing of a house for the janitor, was, he was afraid, one that would have to be dealt with by the Education Board—he could not meddle with it in anyway. The taking of part of the old cemetery reserve had been sanctioned when it came up before him, but it required a Bill to put it on a right footing. At present it was vested in the Superintendent as a cemetery reserve. It was found difficult last session to get a Bill through, but the thing was in right order just now. ; - ■ " Mr Street brought under the hon. gentleman's notice the desirability of insuring the school buildings. None of the schools were at present insured, and when the Education Board was communicated with, that body replied that they had no fund set apart for the purpose. There was no money to ireplace a school if it was burnt down, and by the Ordinance the Committee were bound to find half the insurance money. Mr M 'Lean : There has been no insurance before?

Mr Street replied in the negative Mr M'Lean : The insuring of' school buildings throughout the country would be a ' big question. By the time you paid for risks on school buildings throughout the Colony the money would pay to build any occasional school..

Mr Bell : You must take into consideration local insurance. Possibly the Government may institute an insurance fund. Mr M'Lean : The insurance business on Government buildings is a matter of considerable importance, and the Government , hitherto, unless it has been on large buildings, have not insured; This is a matter I could not give an answer to right off, without bringing it under the consideration of the Government, and seeing what is to be done about it. Even taking the number ; of school buildings throughout the Province, and taking the average number of fires for the years the schools have been in existence, I think the premiums to be paid would build four times as many schools as have been, burnt. •

Mr Bell pointed out that they had no reserve fund whatever.

Mr M'Lean : That is quite true j but ii is a question the Education Board should deal with as a whole.' There is no doubt if any of the school buildings were burnt down, they would have t j l)e provided by some means or other to put them up again. -i Mr Strode,: If we are to judge by the delay with the Middle SchboL it would be a' serious matter for the* schools in Dunedin. This Middle School has been crippled, and brought almost to nothing by the delay which has occurred. It is manifestly unfair to the master and to the children attending the school. . .

Mr jm 'Lean : I quite admit all *hafc ; But when you know money becomes very scarce in all quarters it is necessary to have some hesitation sometimes before jumping into'* these large matters. Mr Strode : This school was closed\bont two years ago. It was not the act t>f the Committee, bat through the (Joiporation cutting down the street whioh rendered the building unsafe. ■...-. Mr Stbeec remarked that not only had the Committee been deprived of a certain amount of funds, but the materMfronv^the the WmSSl** m 7 "* TO6d ** say nothing ibout that. ?5? 2 fer . M 1 COttld - '■***■■ SbJKC paid his deposit, and signed the contract iTfrt 1 Ido likelihood of any further delay. ™