EDUCATION GRANTS WITHHELD

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 158, 29 July 1909, Page 4

EDUCATION GRANTS WITHHELD

THE MINISTER INTERVIEWED. The Education Department has recently "stuck up" several requests of the T'aranaki Education Board for subsidies, residences, and so on; and despite voluminous correspondence; the Minister persisted in his refusals and procrastination. The chairman and secretary of_ the Board, Messrs Wade and WhitcomTie, interviewed the Minister, the Hon. 11. Eowlds, at Hawera on Tuesday night, and reported yesterday tv the Board: Waitara.—Additions to school: The Minister stated that a grant would be made almost immediately.

lluirou.—Additions to the school: This is also a matter that has received favora'ble attention by the Department, and the Board will get a dclinite answer in a few days. West End.—tShellcr shed: The Department had decided to forward the £7O subsidy asked for.

Stratford.—Shelter shed: The Minister was much annoyed over this matter and stated that he was convinced moneys had been donated towards this fund which should not have been, and requested the Board to make iurthcr enquiries. The deputation therefore recommends the Hoard to appoint Messrs Morton and Kennedy as a committee to go into the question of the various sources from which the donations were derived. Tarata. —Residence: The Minister distinctly stated that the Department would not make a grant for a residence in any case where it was reasonably possible for a teaehe r to get board and lodging; and at Tarata there was a boarding-house. Probably towards the end of the year something might be done towards the erection of a residence at Tarata. Marco.—House allowance: The Minister stated that he would make further enquiries into this matter and Jet the Board have a definite answer in a week or two.

Tongaporutu.—Residence or house ; ■ lowancc: This was a subject that seemed to cause the Minister much annoyance. He had received information from outside sources, and it was not until after a good deal of explanation that he consented to reconsider the matter. •School Cadets.—The Minister stated that fresh regulations were being framed, and that he thought the Board would be satisfied when it saw them, but the matters mentioned had been dealt with. Free School Books—The Minister was satisfied with the explanation given regarding the man vr in which the Board had dealt with this subject, and stated he did not anticipate that there would be any objection made by the Department in paying for those books already purchased. School Committees' Accounts.—This is a matter that will receive attention by the Department. On the motion of Messrs Trimble and MorisoL, the report w us adopted.