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Patea Mail, Volume I, Issue 57, 27 October 1875, Page 2

It Avill be satisfactory to many of oar readers to know that on Monday last the Governor formally assented to the Taranaki Educational Reserves ordinance, passed during the last session of the Provincial Council, but reserved for his Excellency’s approA’al. There Avas a doubt in the minds of some, Avhethcr it Avould obtain the vice-regal sanction, hut that question is uoav set ’most satisfactorily at rest. The ordinance in question vests absolutely in Education Boards any reserves set apart for educational purposes, and, from these, handsome incomes may be derived to aid the groat cause of education. As a matter of course, Boards cannot alienate any portion of the reserves, but they can deal with them so far as leasing or occupation goes, and it depends on business capacity Avhcther the most will bo made of them or not. Without question the Patea Board will take early steps toAvards utilising the estate thus handed over for their use, and Avill have no difficulty in leasing such lands as are Avithin their jurisdiction at highly remunerative rates. It is the duty of all public bodies to make as much out of their endoAvmeuts as they can, in order to fulfil the objects for which they are formed, and lighten the direct taxation of their constituencies as much as possible. It is sometimes customary, qn occasions of this kind, to lease by tender any property that has to to he lot—whether, land, wharves, or aught else, and it might possibly be . thought th at such, a •eonr.se Avon hi be the most desirable for the Patea Board to adopt, in dealing Avith the reserves at their command punier. the Ordinance. 1 . This system, hoAvever, has, in a majority of i nstancesj 'heengfibaatlOiled .forTthc more rational and open one of public auction, and iff is to ; ho hoped that the latter mode of disposal will be apprawed of here. //Not -only -docs 'auction excite rivalry, but. the competition induced brings in far more grist to the money mill than the silent and less effective plan of tender. When, therefore, members of the Board have determined where and Eoav to lease the lands of AA'hich they’are Hoav about to be put into possession, let them well Avcigh the most advantageous way of doing so, so as to gather the most money. The educational Avants are great, and there, is no fear of any superfluity of cash to meet demands Avith, even if the utmost sixpence be made of the property at disposal.