AUCKLAND NEWS.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 974, 21 August 1903, Page 1

AUCKLAND NEWS.

(Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, last night.

At the Education Board meeting M r Bagnall drew attention to the inadequacy of Auckland’s share of Government’s grants for school buildings. He stated that 30,000 of the colony’s total of 121,000 children attended the Auckland schools, or nearly one-quarter of the whole, yet the expenditure on school buildings in Auckland district was only £9OOO out of a colonial total of £47,000. In proportion to the number of scholars Auckland s share should be nearly £12,000. He hoped the Chairman would devote some of his spare time to bringing this question under the notice of the Government. At the Board of Education meeting a communication from the Headmasters Association, pointing out that manual training at schools robbed other subjects of from 21- to fivo hours per week, and expressing disapproval, was referred to the Chief Inspector to report on. Mr George, director of the Auckland Technical Schools, stated that he disapproved of the formation of district high schools in large centres. Such schools were well in country districts, but in the city there should be one larger high grade school which might become the nucleus for a technical school. The Chairman stated that the Board had already forwarded to the Government an application from the Headmasters’ Association on this question. The Board approved of Mr George’s recommendation, and decided to endeavor to siva it effect. Mr George said there was not yet a “ higher grade school ” anywhere in the colony. The ratepayers of Grey Lynn Borough yesterday carried a loan of £9OOO for streets and general improvements, and a loan of £IOOO for reduction of overdraft. A proposed loan of £3500 for the purchase of a park was rejected.