THE EDUCATION DISTRICTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 November 1915, Page 4

THE EDUCATION DISTRICTS.

All speculation as to the futfire boundaries of the Education districts in the Dominion is now set at rest ■ for the Council of Education lias (as will be seen in another part of this issue) arrived at a decision that, on the whole, may be said to fairly solve a somewhat difficult problem. The only districts tlmt were in doubt were those of Nelson and South Canterbury, and it will be generally felt tha't in retaining Nelso 11 the Council acted wisely. Probably it will be a matter of curiosity in some quarters as to why Marlborough has been tacked on to Wellington instead of Nelson, which seems to be more suitable than Wellington for many reasons, but if the .Marlborough people are satislied there is nothing further to be said, except that the expense of administration should be appreciably increased by the new arrangement. The boundaries of the Taranaki district leave nothing to be desired for there is community of interest throughout the whole of the area, which includes lue countres ot Awakino, Olmra, Clifton, Whangamomona, Taranaki, Egniont. Stratford, Eltliam, Waimate West, and Hawera. It appears that the inclusion of Hawera was the subject of a very keen debate, but that in the end it was decided (« attach the district to that of the Taranaki Board, instead of its remaining under the Wanganui Hoard. We quite appreciate the reasons which were so urgently voiced by those who advocated that Hawera should continue under the Wanganui Board, but we also feel that the decision of the Council was in every way justified and expedient, and that the future will prove th« wisdom

of the course of action taken. The Southern portion of the Taranaki Education District should not be under any apprehension that its educational needs will suffer by the transfer, or that the technical work, in which such commendable interest is taken, will not be kept up to the high standard it has reached. Rather may the people throughout the whole of the Taranaki district confidently anticipate that efforts will be directed to still further raising the standard of all branches of educational! work as the enlarged area will provide the means necessary therefor. Another benefit that should accrue from the new district is the fostering of spirit of pride in Taranaki as one of the foremost provinces in the Dominion. There is not only a need for the cultivation of an enlarged view of citizenship, but there is also a call for unity that should find a fitting response. The Taranaki Education District as now defined is particularly compact, and lends itself to economical administration probably more than any ol' the other eight district", and it is to be iioped that all parts will recognise this and join in the praiseworthy endeavor to achieve tlie highest possible success for the work of the Board and those carrying out tl) •• worl» of education.