THE ESTIMATES.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 399, 4 September 1889, Page 6

THE ESTIMATES.

Wellington, August 31. Tins education estimates came under re\iew lute last night, and gave rise to considerable discussion. The tiansfer of the grant for school buildings to a separate vote under the control of the Defence Minister was warmly criticised, but Ministers explained that its object was simply to bring under one head the statement of all expenditure on permanent public buildings. Mr Saunders complained of the management of the Central Department, and suege&ted that- it would be sullicienfc if Ministers simply had a clerk, and the control of education were left to the Boards; who knew what they -were about and took more interest in it. Mr tloldie declared that instead of the Public Works Department being abolished, as had been promised, the officers had pimply been distributed amongst other departments, and 13 of them had lound refuge in this new department. Mr Fulton pointed out that only part of last year's building vote was spent. The Mini&ter undertook that the whole of this year's vote would be allocated. The Minister explained that there was no interference with the expenditure of boaids on buildings ; but already the smaller boards had been glad to avail themselves of the services of the new department in regaid to plans. The travelling expenses of members of boards was subject of. a great deal of aimless discussion. Captain Russell objected to the allocation of a building vote on a population basis, as it gave to those who had schools, and withheld the money from those who needed it most. Mr Wilson suggested that the Government should encourage the formation of cadet corps in connection with schools in order to teach colonial youth discipline. After two hours' discussion the vote for the head office, £2,080, was agreed to. Next came £334,750 for public schools. Mr Goldie moved to reduce the item £4,000 towards cost of inspection, by £1,000. He was, however, almost unsupported, for the motion was negatived by 40 to 26. The vote was then agreed to. The Minister ot Education stated last night that he will endeavour in the recess to formulate a scheme for the remodelling of the high school system, to be placed before the House next session.