New Zealand News.

Taihape Daily Times, 16 May 1918, Page 6

New Zealand News.

(ok A SCATHING CRITIC. • ' EDUCATION DEPARTMENT CONDEMNED. "COMIC OPERA” INCIDENTS, w East Wednesday tie Wanganui Education Board received a report from the chief inspector (Mr, T, B, Strong), that ten of the largest schools in the district are overcrowded, and the discussion turned on the repeated failure of the Education Department to meet educational needs. “I do not think there is a more disgraceful department in the New Zealand Public Service,” said the chairman (Mr. Fred Pirani). “Its administration is rotten from top to bottom. I cannot speak too strongly. It is a mass of incompetency from head to foot. Take this instance: The Department told us twelve years after •we had made application for a school that they had sent an inspector up, and the children were not in the district! Recently they referred us to a certain section of the Act, and on looking it up we found it had nothing to do with the matter in question; it had no more reference to it than the ; door. What could you think of a department like that? ‘A Member; The same as you do! Mr. Pirani: The position is unbearable. Take the Raetihi case: We •wanted a piece of land for the approach to the school residence, as there was no aproach—except on the map! We got the approval of the Commissioner of Crown Lands, but the Education Department objected, and said the approach was big enough. Somebody in the Department had looked at the map. The Chairman: The best thing ■would be dynamite, or a heavier earthquake than we had last night. The whole system is wrong. The Minister has no power to make an appointment in his own department. Appointments there have to he made by the Public Service Commissioners. It is really a matter for the electors and parents, but the more they are concerned the less interest they seem to take. The Department is the greatest stumbling-block to education in New Zealand. Some of the teachers claim the hoards should be abolished, and I would like them to have a taste of the Department. Mr. Collins; I don’t think we can go on like this. Wbat about a resolution from the Board? The Chairman: Waste paper! Until we get education separated from politics we will never have a decent system in New Zealand. A member: Isn’t there a Council | cf Education? The Chairman; They take their advice—when it suits. —~ GENERAL R. H. DAVIES. A FAMOUS NEW ZEALAND SOLDIER. NEW PLYMOUTH, May 14. A private cable has been received stating that Major-General R. H. Davies died suddenly. He commanded a Brigade in Lord French’s First Army. General Davies, formerly a surveyor and civil engineer in Taranaki, began his military career in the Stratford Mounted Rifles, finally becoming captain of that corps. He went away as a captain in the First New Zealand Contingent in the South African War, and soon distinguished himself for bravery, military capacity, and sound judgment. He soon won promotion, and took command of the Fourth New Zealanders, and finally with the rank of full colonel, took command of the Mounted Brigade, which formed the Bth N.Z.- Contingent. He was more than once mentioned in despatches and won the G. 8., He was then employed by the N.Z. Defence Department, and after a period of service * ‘on loan” in England, returned to the Dominion, and became Inspector-General of the N.Z. Forces. The British Government thpn engaged him as a general commanding a brigade, in which capacity ho served in the early clays of the present war, and took part in the retreat from Mens and the Battle of Marne, During 4 the 'first wilder’s campaign a severe attack of pneumonia caused to be invalided back to England, and on recovery he was prompted to MajorGeneral and given a -divisional. command in the training of troops for the front. During the last few months he commanded cf special training unit with great success. He was a bom soldier and leader of men, and his many friends in New Zealand will hear of bis death with great regret.