EDUCATION BOARD.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2057, 18 April 1907, Page 2

EDUCATION BOARD.

SEPARATE BOARD FOR POVERTY BAY. It was decided at a special meeting of the School Committees Association held on Alarch Bth, to appoint a committee to draw up a statement showing the financial standing if the Poverty Bay district of the separate Education Board were set up for the district. Tho committee, consisting of Alessrs. Alorgan, J. C. Field, Grundy and Barlow (secretary), met ou Tuesday evening and the press has been supplied with tho following copy of the committee’s report:—“To obtain an accurate statement would involve a very largo amount of figures and statistics, and could only then bo recognised as an approximate statement ; therefore, by way of making a condensed statement, the schools roll and tho schools roll averageattendance has been taken, thus showing ' the minimum amount of money we are absolutely entitled to. This has a very encouraging effect (on even tho most sceptical), showing, as it does, that from a financial point of view it is an assured success. From the -statement it will bo seen that the capitation is derived from tho average attendance, wliich is 2174 whilst the average roll number is 2615, thus, with stricter supervision, the amount of revenue could be augmented by at least £2OO. “Taking as an argument in favor of separaion, tho statistics supplied by Messrs. Common, Shelton and Co., of the wool and frozen meat trade, which is only a part of our products, show that our wealth lias increased by more than double in ten years, and . the country is thus being rapidly opened up and settled iilion. Calls for attention •in educational matters can receive better attention by a resident local Board than could possibly he obtained by that of the absentee representation which has hitherto-existed. “That our harbor is not all that could he desired is a recognised fact, and proves conclusively that we are unique in the matter of isolation, which would thus mar the advantages we could reasonably expect to claim under the new ward system at present in force. “AA’c could also expect under separation more efficient ,thorough, and regular inspection of our schools, having a resident inspector, together with better representation for our Committees to the Educational Department.

“Lnstily, the fact that so much money would he distributed in our midst as shown below should induce all loyal residents of Poverty Bay to bring about a separation, and further the interest of our district by having better and more profitable conditions in every respect. Receipts: Capitation on average attendance, 2174, at 11s 3d, £1222

17s Gd; yearly allowance to Board, £250, leaving a balance of £B9O 17s 6d for grants to School Committees, etc. Expenditure: Inspector, including travelling expenses, £350; secretary,. £150; office, fuel, and light, £SB; stamps and stationery, £24; total, £582.”