MINISTER OF EDUCATION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 4, 29 June 1911, Page 5

MINISTER OF EDUCATION.

INTERVIEWED BY THE TABANAKI EDUCATION BOARD. The chairman, Mr. Jas. Wade, reported to tlte Education Board last night that a deputation representing the Board had met the Minister of Education, the Hon Geo. Fowlds, at Stratford that morning Willi reference to the re-building of the Stratford school latel, icstroved by fire. The Board's plans and recommendations with reference to the re-building were placed before the Minister, and after a brief discussion the Minister intimated to the deputation that he could not favorably entertain the proposition to erect an assembly hall, as asked for by the committee. The Minister producea a rough sketch or plan of what the Department considered would meet the case He stated that personally he was in favor of the new building "being erected in brick, and that he would recommend this course to Cabinet. He gave the Board power to offer for sale the parts of the old building damaged by fire, and iri addition he promised to grant half the cost of flooring the dairy work-room to enable classes to be carried on in the meantime. With regard to the Doutjlas school site the Minister agreed, if the Board were to acquire three acres, to pay half the cost. The question of the Waihi school site was also referred to, and the Minister promised to pay half the cost provided the Board acquired the freehold of the land under the Public Works Act. With regard to the erection of- a school at Waihi, the Minister considered that a school to accommodate about 70 ehildren would be quite sufficient, and stated the Department would grant £340 towards the coat, the Board to find the balance. The matter of dismantling the old Stratford school building was referred to the chairman, with power to act, it being understood the building would be taken to pieces, and the material sold in lots. It was decided to take the necessary legal steps to acquire school sits at Warhi and Douglas. Messrs. Cargill. Kennedy, Trimble, and the chairman were appointed a committee to confer with the inspectors and the architect concerning the re-building of the Stratford school upon receipt of the plan from the Department, the committee having full power to act.