H. C. LANE.]

27

1.—14.

conclusive as to the need for the addition to a school that the Inspectors were not asked, but that could not have taken place this year, because the form provided by the Department has a space for the Inspectors to put their recommendation in. 250. The Chairman .] What tenure of office have your Inspectors? —During the pleasure of the Board, subject to three months' notice, I suppose. 251. Mr. Buchanan.] Mr. Lane pointed to the difficulty of dealing with money for new schools. The need for new schools and the need for additional floor-space in existing schools both arising from the same cause —namely, increased population —would not the same difficulty attach to money required for additions to the existing floor-space of a school, Mr. Lane? —The same as in the case of new schools entirely? 252. Yes? —I think that when a school has been going on for some years and it wants alO ft. addition because the number of children on the roll is too large to be accommodated in the building, it is not quite the same. You could reckon it more like maintenance. The school has been started, and you must give them the proper space which the attendance requires. 253. Supposing that in the case of a newly settled district a Board found it necessary to increase the floor-space three times in ten years, what would your answer be then? Would not the difficulty of finding the money for the increased floor-space required be practically the same as it would in the case of a new school? —No, I do not think so; because with three additions in ten years naturally each enlargement would not be very great.