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South Canterbury Times, Issue 2298, 29 July 1880, Page 2

The Honorable- the Minister of Education has despatched a circular telegram to the various education districts which will be perused with interest and dismay by the teachers, janitors, and supernumeraries who have been looking to the department for promotion. Mr Ilolleston intimates that the total education vote has been reduced by £32,000, which is equal to a reduction in the total capitation grant of 10s per head of average attendance. The capitation allowance is £3 15s, and this has to cover incidentals, &c., besides cost of tuition. A reduction of 10s therefore means an all round decrease of about 13 per cent. The Education Boards are asked to co-operate with the Government in giving effect to the decision of Parliament rc the 10 per cent reduction in salaries and wages, and they are further enjoined not to enter into building contracts in anticipation of their revenue. Copies of the telegram have been forwarded to the various School Committees, and it will come up for consideration at the next meeting of the Board hero. The latter has had a thankless and unpleasant task imposed upon it, for this reduction in teachers’ wages is bound to create a large amount of dissatisfaction and irritation. The present rate of remuneration for country schools is miserable enough, and if ten per cent, is taken off it is to he feared that the teaching machinery will suffer.