SCHOOL BUILDINGS.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 January 1921, Page 5

SCHOOL BUILDINGS.

CONFERENCE OF BOARDS. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Jan- 25. The conference summoned by the Minister of Education to consider the cost and l methode of erection of school buildings was opened this morning, by Mr. Parr, who stated that large grants are being approved, and in some cases boards seemed to be competing against themselves, few, and often no, tenders being received. The tender system seemed to have failed. He found he was unable to rely upon the estimates of the cost of school buildings, and often, after a grant had been approved, had to request Cabinet to agree to an additional sum. Four out of nine Education Boards were now doing their own work almost entirely. These were Taranaki, Wanganui, Canterbury and Southland. They all agreed that the system yielded good results, and they would not abandon it in favor of a return to the tender system. The system of nine boards erecting buildings for which money was provided by the State was anomalons, but he did not wish to alter it if it could be made efficient. He wished the boards to assist him in making it efficient, and he particularly asked them to consider the direct 'labor method. Where boards wished to do their own work he would be willing to make a grant where necessary for the provision and equipment of a workshop. Addresses were also delivered by Mr. Spencer, officer in charge of school buildings, and Mr. Mair, Education Department architect. The latter recommended direct labor and the small contract system tor the erection of