EDUCATIONAL ASSESSMENT APPEAL MEETING.

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 38, 27 August 1864, Page 3

EDUCATIONAL ASSESSMENT APPEAL MEETING.

The meeting to hear appeals against the Education Assessment, which was adjourned from the 19th inst., was held yesterday in the Hall of the Mechanics' Institute, at twelve o'clock. The following members of committee were in attendance, Tiz. :— Revs. Messrs. Stobo, and Tanner, Messrs. Butts, Blacklock, and Geisow. Mr. Blacklock presided. Mr. BiiACKXOCK "wished to make an explanation before commencing business, which he thought might tend to shorten their proceedings. The Committee had assessed the town with a ■view of putting up additional school buildings, but as they did not now intend to put them up, they found that the amount could be reduced 25 per cent. They would, however, be obliged to realise the amount of £650, for they were £220 in debt. There was £300 for salaries to be provided, and also other incidental expenses. If the parties present were willing to accede to this reI Auction of 25 per cent. — (cries of "no, no") — there would be no necessity .for going into the appeals except as to those who believed that their assessments were relatively excessive. The Rev. Mr. Stobo considered that the committee had, from the first, adopted a false principle. : Mr. Hake desired to know to what purpose the money would be appropriated when it was collected. ,- : : '. : : . /'■'• '■■'■ ■ ■ Mr. Blacklock. — We will pay our liabilities with it. f Mr. Ckaphan now asked whatjihe amount of the bank overdraft wae ? " Mr. Blacedook;— -About £200. Mr. KnrGffQAiO). — I should like to see afinaa-

* The Rev: Mr. Tanner explained that the assessment had been postponed until the end of the year/but in the meantime their liabilities had accumulated until they had reached the extent of £220. - Mr. KrNGSi-AiCD now asked if the committee did not feel bound to show how the money which had < been collected already had been spent. ; N The Eev. Mr. Sxobq informed him that the Ordinance did not contain any mention of such a thing, but he had no doubt the committee would be" Baf>py to furnish the information. Mr. BlaokiocK;— We aro not called upon to do bo. Mr. Chapman, — Do you not think, as honest men, that you ought to state how the money collected for the past year has been expended ? Mr. KingsUlND thought the public were entitled to have such a statement laid before them. Mr. Blackxock. — All I have got to say is this — they are £220 in debt. Mr. Chapman. — All I have got to say is this — If you, as a commercial man, were to have such a statement made to you by any of your clerks, you wYJuld trot consider it very satisfactory. The Rev. Mr. Tanner remarked that the Teachers' salary was at the rate of £300 per annum. £80, or thereabouts, had been received from school fees, and the committee were in- - debted to the banks in the sum of £220. Twelve children were now educated free, and he regretted to state that since the assessment was raised the number of scholars had been much augmented. The committece should famish all the information required through the papers. Mr. Kingsland asked whether the former committee handed a financial statement to the present one. The Rev. Mr. Stobo said that a large portion of last year's assessment had not been collected. Some had not paid anything. Mr. Kihgsland said he had not been asked to payThe Rev. Mr. Stobo. — The collector was to blame for that. Mr. Chapman and Mr. Dairymple here mado some unimportant remarks. Mr. Pearson said that in framing an assessment, the Committee should not be guided by their wants, hut by the Act which provided that the annual value of the property should be tho basis of their calculations. The Rev. Mr. Stobo called on those present to assist the committee in carrying out the object of the Ordinance. He thought the Ordinance was almost impracticable. The former rate could not be enforced because of some informality. The Committee were advised not to take it into I Court. ! The members of Committee here commenced talking altogether, and reporting . was impossible. After some timej Dr. Wilson moved that the assessment be reduced 50 per cent Mr. Pearson seconded the motion. The committee retired to consider, and on their return, announced that the motion was agreed to, except in the case of unoccupied sections, which were to be assessed at the upset price. Great satisfaction was manifested by those present. A few appeals were then taken into consideration, and the meeting broke up.