EDUCATION GRANTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1412, 24 March 1905, Page 2

EDUCATION GRANTS.

(Per Press Association.).

Auckland, yesterday.

At tho Education Board yesterday the disposal of building grants voted to the Board was disonssed. A letter' was read from the Premier in reference to the press report of his statement at New Plymouth, and which made certain allegations of extravagance on the part of Education Boards in the expenditure of building funds. The Premier said the press telegram did not convey an accurate report of his remarks. A circular was read from the Education Department to the effeot that the ordinary grants for school buildings had been distributed in accordance with the report of the Education Committee of the House of Representatives, 1903 and 1904. It future, it was the intention of the Government to follow the recommendation of the Educational Committee in regard to the distribution of building votes and to see that moneys thus distributed should be expended in strict accordance with the recommendations of the Committee and with the approbation of Parliament. Mr Parr said that it was rapidly coming to this, that the Board was being denuded of all power over grants entrusted to it for expenditure. It seemed to him that it was proposed Co tie their hands completely with reference to ordinary grants. They should protest against any auoh interiorenee by the Department. It appeared to him they were simply a buffer between the the Department and the Committees. Mr Parr moved that the circular be referred to the Finance Committee to report on. Mr Bagnall thought that the Board should not allow its legal power to be taken away by any circular from the Department.