Savings If Wages Were Raised

Taupo Times, Volume XIV, Issue 54, 13 July 1965, Page 2

Savings If Wages Were

Raised

If the wages of school caretakers were raised it conld be a saving for the Education Board, said Mr F. N. Tritt, principal of Taupo-nui-a-Tia College at the annual general meeting of the Taupo District School Committees* Association on Monday. The association was discussing a letter from the Minister of Education, Mr Kinsella, addressed to Mrs R. M. Stevenson, M.P. for Taupo, and referred to the association. Mr Kinsella explained that pay increases for ancillary services were being considered by the Government which included that for caretakers and , part-time teachers among other requirements. Priorities were necessary, however. The chairman, Mr M. Richards (Taupo Primary School) said caretakers* wages were not high enough. Three schools were having difficulties in getting them, said Mr M. Robertson (Taupo). The ward representative on the South Auckland Education Board, Mr C. E. H. Stocker, said some caretakers were not permanent types but most schools seemed to be able to get them. It could be that the pay did not attract them, but the job was unskilled and in the lower pay bracket.

Mrs K. Lansdowne (Tauhara) said the job required a lot of work to keep it up to scratch. Mr Stocker later said he realised the incidentals grant was not large enough. A report had been brought down and was being considered by Cabinet It was hoped there would be a considerable increase in the grant, he said. There was no further discussion. In addressing the association on general matters, Mr Stocker said there was a proposal to separate the Rotorua-Taupo Ward and have two wards. The Taupo ward would probably extend from Mangakino, Whakamaru and Atiamuri, south to Turangi. The ward as is has covered a very big area. If the proposal were adopted, there would be another board member. The change could take place in 1966, but there was no guarantee that it would, he said.

Mr Stocker commended the association's activities. If a need were great enough and the association active enough, the board was bound to take notice of considered opinions. He was prepared to take up matters with the board, and press them, if satisfactory evidence was produced. Mr Stocker was referring, in particular, to the provision of teachers* hostels. Mr V. A. Wilson (Tauhara) said Tauhara School was finding water rates high — £120 a year. Mr Stocker suggested that the association put the schools' committees' cases before the board and he would take the matter up at its next meeting on July 20. The association resolved to write to the board supporting the Wairakei School Committee's efforts to have teachers and teacher accommodation problems solved. The association elected Mr Wilson as chairman for the ensuing year and Mrs Lansdowne as secretary.