TE AUTE EDUCATION TRUST LANDS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIX, Issue 8140, 15 May 1906, Page 5

TE AUTE EDUCATION TRUST LANDS.

THE ROYAL COMMISSION. NAPIER, May 14. The Royal Commission, appointed to enquire into the administration of the Te Aute Education Trust Lands, resumed its sittings to day. The only evidence taken today was that of Bishop Williams, one of the Trustees. He stated that the lands of the Trust were leased to Archdeacon Williams. Tne annual revenue was used in the maintenance of the Te Aute College School, and the JHukarore Native Girlie School. The Trustees approved of the system of education in the schools, though they did not interfere in the details of the management, which, in the oase of the Te Aute School, was in the hands of the headmaster and the Archdeacon, and of the Hukarere Sohool by Miss Williams. The accounts in connection with Trust Funds were submitted annually to the Waipu Diocesan Synod, and trieqnially to the Geueral Synod. The present ten an had been in possession for many years, and the Trustees considered he was entitled to consideration in. the way of renewal before entering, iuto the existing lease, which was executed about two or three years ago, and is for twelve years. A valuation of the property was made by an independent and competent valuer, and they also bad the land tax valuation. The present rent was considered a perfectly fair one i taking these valuations into consideration. Witness was satisfied that taking all the circumstances into account the Trustees had done all they could for the Trust, and under the present management the School had developed into an important institution, well - known, throughout the colony. Jn addition to the Trust Funds the. money for the Hukarere building was privately subscribed, and a (great deal uf tbe money had been spent there and' at Te Aute by Arobdeacon Williams, out of his own private pocket. The Commission then adjourned till Thursday.