TECHNICAL ORGANISERS SALARY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 181, 30 January 1914, Page 4

TECHNICAL ORGANISERS SALARY.

The discussion which look place at (lie lust meeting of the Taranaki Education Board relative to the salary of the technical organiser eventuated in a compromise being arrived at that, like . most of its kind, will probably fail to satisfy the requirements of the ease. It is admitted 011 all sides that since Jlr. Gray has tilled the office of technical organiser he has infused into what was fast becoming an effete institution, a creditable vitality which is already bearing good fruit. Moreover, lie possesses, in addition to a comprehensive knowledge of the subject, that "suavit.er in niodo" and effective tact which is so essential ti 1 tV.e success of the work -m lias undertaken. Tt. is satisfactory to find that his services are appreciated!)} the Hoard as well as by the public, and that there was practically a consensus of opinion amongst the members of the Board that Mr. Cray's salary should he increased, the only question being the extent of the increment, and on this point opinions differed from CIO to£i">o. Unfortunately, in one respect, the Board lias to lie extremely cautious over its expenditure so as to make both ends meet, and this naturally affected the minds of the members. The £SO proposal was promptly lost, and there is ro doubt that it would have been better had it not been made. The next proposition was for a .£2!> rise, and it is extremely-probable that had thisamount been proposed in the first instance it would have been carried, but, strangely enough, the mover of the larger amount vote<f against it, and eventually it was | decided to raise the present salary by £IG a year until it reaches £3OO. Bearring im mind that the technical organ- | iser has to pay his own house rent, whereas the head teachers of schools liavo ■ a free residence, it would seem that the Board's decision in not on the liberal side, but if the Board desires to retain the services of thoroughly competent officials it should certainly make the remuneration adequate to the importance of the work.