New Zealand Times. (PUBLISHED DAILY.) THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4587, 2 December 1875, Page 2

New Zealand Times. (PUBLISHED DAILY.) THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2.

Ogii Christchurch' contemporary, the Press,, very properly directs attention to statements recently made at a deputation to the Superintendent of Otago, from the Dunedin school committee, in reference to the want of school buildings in Otago. A demand was made for money, but it was not forthcoming as the Provincial Government had none to give. The Superintendent frankly admitted the position, and said; “The fact was that “ the question of school accommodation “ was becoming a serious one, and it “ would take at least £30,000 to provide “ theschool buildings absolutely wanted.” We are quite ’ prepared to accept his Honor’s estimate as correct, and we are aware the deputation did not exaggerate when they stated that the schoolrooms were “mere patchwork,” and altogether insufficient to accommodate the children on the books. This, however, is not so much the fault of the Otago provincial authorities as the Press imagines. Yery great efforts have been fnade in Otago to overtake educational requirements, but population increased too rapidly for local wants to be supplied, and the consequence is a state of things not very far removed from what exists in the North Island generally. No doubt it may be argued, as it has been, that the Otago Provincial Council for the last two years gave more heed to the construction of railways, and public works generally than to eduction. The Otago authorities are open to this reproach certainly, and we regret to find that the propriety of applying to the General Government for a grant-in-aid, as in the case of Auckland, was entertained for an instant. But it was seriously considered, and were there the slightest chance of squeezing anything from the Colonial Treasurer we have no doubt pressure would bo brought to bear upon him. There is, however, no money appropriated for the purpose, and Otago must look to its own resources meanwhile. In the case of Canterbury no charge of illiberally ■ can lie against the Provincial Council on this head. The Press informs us that “in less than ; two “ years, provincial revenue fin , Canter- “ bury] to the amount of £81,C69 had been “ employed or made available expressly; “ for the erection of school buildings. 1 It was a principle with the Council,” continues the Press, “ that one of the “ first purposes for which advantage “should be taken of the extraordinary “ amount-of capital accruing'to the pro--1“ vince from land sales, was the making “ of full provision for the permanent “ requirements of education.' But no “such principle seems to,have been “ recognised in Otago. There money

“ has been scattered broadcast over the “ province, but the most urgent neoessi- “ ties of educational districts have been “ disregarded. For every other purpose “ funds have been allotted without stint, “ hut none for this. By both the Go- “ vernment and the Council it has been “ treated with scornful indifference. “ And now that the consequences of their “ neglect begin to be felt there appears ‘‘ no remedy. The makeshift, patch- ‘ ‘ work, miserably insufficient buildings “ that do duty for schoolrooms must still “ disgrace the city of Dunedin, while the “ Executive, with an Appropriation “ Ordinance of unprecedented magnitude, “ find no provision in it for.the supplying “of the school accommodation which “ they acknowledge to be absolutely “ wanted.”

We have already expressed the opinion that Otago has not so conspicuously failed in its duty in this matter as bur contemporary alleges, but' there has been great and culpable neglect. Canterbury will enjoy the benefit of its liberality in years to come, while, Otago will be, the loser. It spent the money which might have provided ample school accommodation, contenting itself by making enormous reserves of waste land." The land remains unoccupied, and the sohoolhouses are unbuilt ; but Canterbury is well prepared for any emergency that may arise. If its land has been sold it is beneficially occupied, and sufficient school aecominodatioh has been provided ’ for many years to come. We regret that we cannot speak in similar forms of Wellington, and ’ other Northern provinces. In the North Island the want of funds alone cripples education, not the indisposition of the people to promote it. However, the fact that Otago'is coming forward, hat , in hand as a supplicant for aid, may be taken as indicative of an approaching change, when public instruction .will be under the control of the General Government, with a uniform standard in forces throughout the colony. ‘ ■ ,