AUCKLAND.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2235, 6 July 1908, Page 2

AUCKLAND.

[Special to “Times.”] AUCKLAND, July 4. . AMBULANCE WORK. The officers controlling the New Zealand division of the-, St. John’s Ambulance Association have been in communication with the. Council of Defence on the subject of the further training of members so as to qualify them to take up their duty with- the defence force in time of trouble. • ENTERTAINMENTS OR ROADS? “Are you in favor of spending all this money to entertain the American fleet?” asked an irate farmer this morning in town. He answered his own question by adding, “Why, 1 can show roads within 14 miles of this city where at is almost impossible to get a cart through the mud.” When it was suggested that it was not’the duty of the City Council to look after roads so far from town, lie said indignantly, “But the money .which the Government is spendinr over this affair would do more good on the, roads.”

INDIGNANT SCHOOLTEACHERS. At the annual meeting of the Auckland Teachers’ Institute Mr T. W. Wells took exception to one of the remarks made by the chairman of the Education Board with regard to teachers and extra school holidays. When a proposal was made to close the, schools during • fleet week Mr.' ,Bagnall said he ; did not think the Board should assist in increasing the idleness of the community, and lie questioned.whether they would be justified in paying £4OOO to the teachers of the Auckland district for doing nothing. “It appeared to me,” said Mr Wells, “that in speaking as he did '.the'chairman was speaking more from the -pint of view of a factory manager than as a chairman of a largo and important Education Board.” Personally he knew of no general request which had,been made by the- teachers for an extra week’s holiday. Nothing had called for Mr Bagnall’s remarks and he. ■ thought they might , well express their regret that the chairman of the Education Board saw fit to sneak in such a manner of the Board’s teachers. It was not only a question of salary which had to be considered, for if schools were kept open during the general celebrations tile attendance! would be affected. Then the stalling j came into question and that was a very-serious matter. He was not aware of any general wish amongst teachers for an extra week’s holiday. The most that” was thought Was that the schools should be closed on two days during the celebrations. The president seconded the motion,stating that he had also felt that Mr Bagnall had gone out of his way to cast a slight on the teachers.