CASE FOR BAILIFF.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 July 1923, Page 3

CASE FOR BAILIFF.

STRANCK STORY PROM I'KTOXK. WELLINGTON, .Inly 19. ‘•The bailiffs will soon be in.” declared Mr Wilford, loading up to an extraordinary story ol the tmaucial. or rather nuliminciai, position of Pctonc Technical School, which lie unfolded in the House this afternoon. There was an amusing hitch before Air Wilford found a peg on which to hang his .statement, for Mr Speaker naturally insisted that the standing orders should he followed. Members on ait sides of the House quickly offered suggestions, an infringement that under the circumstances was tolerated by the chair, and the leader of the Opposition was enabled to select one of his own questions, dealing with Ettd lack of typewriters in the school in (jt't&gtiou. 'Mr Wilford said that typewriting classes were authorised, and teachers provided but no typewriters were Punished. That was not all. for the di- . rector of the school had not received a penny of salary for seven months. Tradespeople had not been paid, and their accounts were months overdue. These were ordinary accounts, and yet they could not get a shilling. Ihe reason was plain. The whole grant foi that school, including the cost of teaching of typewriting amounted to £TPi out of which had to l>e paid director s salary £BS, school cleaning £9O. ‘‘gating and heating £OO, « total of £2lO. The Minister of Education: How nmnv pupils are there? Mr Wilford: I cannot say. He mul-ed-that the Petone Rorough (.oiin.il had given £3O towards the tipk-eji et the school, and n lirui had given £->• and he could only hope another turn would give a typewriter. Such u state of affairs was in absolute contrail, .turn of the pious pronouncements m i.a. made when technical schools were open-

The Alinister of Education .ej ‘ that the Opposition leader should tirs make sure of his facts heloie t • ing Mr Wilford could have easily ascertained that the Petone school obtained reasonable grants in com! ■ soil with similar schools, and that the reason wliv the present master did not draw his salary was that the accounts were left in a difficult position, and to assist the committee lie was temporarily leaving his salary in abeyance, imt he knew he could draw it any moment. _____