FRANKLEY SCHOOL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 323, 24 February 1910, Page 7

FRANKLEY SCHOOL.

THE MAINT.LNAIsCE GRANT i QUESTION. I I At the meeting of the Education ' Board yesterday a memorandum was received from the Secretary of Education stating that the question of th« Franklcy Road school had been, reI viewed. Heretofore,, on information furnished by the Board itself, the building > had been regarded as containing D4fi square feet v i.is.-.rooui accommodation, which with an average attendance of 75 could not be considered a case for enlargement at the expense of the Government. It appears now, proceeds' the communication, that this statement is open to objection. Nevertheless, it lias to be borne in mind that the case is primarily one for replacement by means of the funds granted specifically to the Board for such a purpose; also that the building of an entirely new scliool would probably lead to the abandonment of the additions made in 1880 and 18!)7, which are presumably not yet worn outLoss of this kind would also fall upon the Board. Considering that there is little indication of any rapid increase in the attendance, the Minister does not favor the Board's proposal to build at once for an average of 130. He is of opinion that a building of not more than 1200 square feet of classroom space should suffice for the present, and towards such a building he is prepared to make a grant of £325. The, chairman said the question was, Would they accept the Department's offer? He would like to ask the Department if the reduction in the maintenance grant were permanent, or was it reduced for the purpose of rebuilding worn-out schools. If so, they were entitled to the full amount asked for. It was monstrous if the reduction wa» to be made every year. In regard to the proposed reduction in size, if the Board built now as suggested by the; Minister it would be necesary to build additions in a few years, and the same' trouble would arise. When the Hon. Mr. Fowlds was' here he was driven up Frankley Road and back through Westown, and fully recognised that they' would require a larger school. Mr. Kennedy asked what the value of the old buildings would be. The chairman replied that the Frankley committee required them for sheds, etc. Mr. SiwOm stated that even if they built at thy small size suggested, the Board would have to provide at least £2OO, and would thus recognise the , principle. He thought it unwise to curtail the space. Mr. Cargill thought that the Board should write to the Minister and find out the position in regard to the maintenance grant. If they accepted a re- j duetion of 50 per cent, on this occasion they would be creating a precedent that' the Minister would be the first to take I ■ advantage ot. Mr. Morton skid they should deal with Frankley on its merits, irrespective of the maintenance grant. The | matter was a most urgent one; the school was utterly inadequate. He ffiougiu they s'hould call for tenders, and at the same timo write to the Department. Mr. Auiam was in favor of this course, as the Board was not bound to accept any tender. Mr. Trimble did not think they! should call for tenders until they found if the Department was making a per-'j manent reduction of the amount supposed to be used in rebuilding. He moved, "That the Department be asked ] if the reduction that has been made in j this year's maintenance grant is' to be permanent, and if so, does the Department intend to provide the funds to replace old and worn-out buildings for the future." Seconded by Mr. Cargill »nd carried. After some further discussion it was proposed by Mr. Adlam, "That alternate tenders be called for the erection of a school at Frankley Road." This was als'o carried. j The question of the grant for this particular school was then dealt with, ' the opinion of the members being that it was inadequate, and the following resolution was carried, on the motion of* 1 Mr. Morton, seconded by Mr. Kennedy: : "That the Department be informed that ! the Board strongly protests againsl tie faction of the Department in granting , only £320 for the ,re-erection of the j Frankley Road school, seeing that the / j very large reduction in the maintenance j grant has made it impossible for the' ! Board to supplement that amount from" jits own funds without doing a great j j injustice to the other schools." ' 1 In connection with the question of' [ I maintenance grants, it was decided, on' ) i the motion of Mr. W. C. Cargill, that' a return be laid on the table showing j ! the_ amount received by the Board in j j ordinary grants and maintenance grants { j since 1903. - j