Q.—s.

150

[B.E. .BECKETT.

113. Do you think the trustees would object to the provisions of the Education Act with regard to the question of the education scheme being applied to this school—that is to say, in the event of the Education Board and the trustees not agreeing, the question should be referred to the arbitrament of a Commission consisting of the Chancellor of the New Zealand University Senate, the Inspector-General of Schools, and a person to be appointed by the trustees? —I do not see any objection to it myself. I should always court the fullest inquiry and the greatest assistance from outside for any trust. 114. Would you consent to a conscience clause—that is to say, that the children of other denominations attending the school should not be compelled to attend services ?— I should have no objection to that at all. 115. To put it shortly, I suppose you would be prepared, as one of the trustees, to fall in with any reasonable suggestion made for the advancement of the school or the improvement of the trust ? — Undoubtedly. 116. 1 suppose you reoognise the public have some say in this endowment? —I recognise the fact that a trust of this sort is meant for the public, and that certainly it is not meant for the children of the wealthy portion of the community. It is meant for the poorer portion of the community, and I maintain that to work it as we have done is the only way to work it satisfactorily. If it were only used for the poorer classes of the community, the revenue would be so small that it would not provide a school at all. If the trust is carried on as now, unless something unforseen happens, I think that in two or three years the revenue of the trust will be available to be used for the benefit of the poorer people of the community. 117. I suppose you recognise that in the altered circumstances of the colony a scheme is necessary for the remodelling of the trust, keeping, of course, the main objects of the trust in view: would you have any objection to that?— Personally, I should not; but one could only raise an objection when one saw the scheme of remodelling. I think the trust was meant for the English Church, just as other trusts were given to and meant for the Presbyterians, Wesleyans, and Roman Catholics. I should not have any objection myself to a conscience clause or anything of that sort. 118. Mr. Hogg.] You say Mr. Liffiton's power of attorney was cancelled about six months ago and that he was appointed agent? —Yes. 119. Will you explain why the power of attorney was cancelled?— Really for the reason that we had one of the trustees, Mr. Maclean, resident in the town, and he was fully able to act. I myself, another of the trustees, was also within telephonic communication of Mr. Maclean, and there was no reason why we should delegate our duties to anybody else. We recognised that as trustees we should either assume the duties of trustees or given them up to others. 120. It was not because you were dissatisfied with Mr. Liffiton's management?— Not at all. 121. The Chairman.] I suppose, in consequence of the agitation going on, the trustees thought they should take a more active interest in the control ?—I do not think it was because of that. There has been no agitation of late. I thought myself that if I took up a position of that sort I was bound to carry out the duties, and that if I was not inclined to do so I should let somebody else act in my stead. 122. Mr. Hogg.] You cannot explain why this step was not taken before? —No. Personally 1. cannot understand people taking up a trust and delegating their duties to other people. I think they should give them up under such circumstances. 123. How long is it since your boy was at the school?—He left last term, and he was there for six years continuously. 124. And the cost during that time was £80 a year?— Yes, a little more. 125. You cannot explain the items beyond the cost of tuition and the cost of board?—No, but Mr. Empson could. I think the board amounts to £45 a year and the tuition fees to £12, and then there were extras. 126. At that rate it cost £57 without any extras at all?— Yes. 127. In that case do you think you got any benefit at all, so far as the cost of educating your boy is concerned, out of the endowment?—No, I do not think I did. I should be very sorry to think I did. lam sure the money I paid was amply sufficient to keep a boy at a private school, and that the person who kept the private school would make a profit out of it. 128. I suppose you consider the parents up to the present period, at all events, have obtained no benefit whatever so far as the endowment is concerned? —Those who paid full school fees obtained no benefit whatever from the trust, and, as I say, I should be sorry to think they did. 129. Are there many boys attending the institution who are not paying school fees? —There are. Mr. Empson will be able to give the exact number. 130. How do they obtain admission —through scholarships? —No; I think more by application. You see the whole of the money of the trust funds up to the present time has been used in putting up the buildings. 131. Does the headmaster submit to the trustees a record of the number of applications made, showing how many are admitted and how many are rejected?—No, I have never seen one. I have never heard of any boy being rejected except on the ground that there was no room for him. 132. In that case you are not able to investigate the cause of rejection? —I have never heard of any objection being made, except because there was no room. 133. The names are not submitted to you?— Not so far as I know. 134. You have had no complaints of any kind in regard to non-admission? —Not since I have been a member of the trust. 135. Does the headmaster or the trustees fix the salaries of the teachers? —The trustees fix the salaries, but they would communicate with Mr. Empson on the subject, 136. When it is found necessary to increase salaries, I suppose the headmaster generally makes a recommendation? —Yes.