E. B. BECKETT.]

151

G.—s.

137. Have the trustees had any complaints in regard to the salaries being inadequate?-—We always have complaints more or less of that sort. Mr. Empson is always complaining that the salaries are low, and that we ought to pay higher salaries. But, of course, the difficulty is the want of funds to do so. 138. Who regulates the size of the staff?— Practically the headmaster, with the approval of the trustees. 139. Do the teachers board with the headmaster or separately?— Some, I believe, live in the house, and some away from the house. 140. Mr. Lee.] Do you think a secondary school as opposed to a primary school best fulfils the object of the trust? —I think the higher the education you can give to people the better undoubtedly it will be, and, under the trust, with a school such as we have already, it is better the education should be of a higher class than of a lower class. 141. Is the school visited every year by the Education Department?—l do not think it is examined by the Education Department. 142. Would you be willing it should be? —Personally, I should. 143. Do you think it desirable, as soon as it can be done, that a new building should be put up?—l think it is desirable, but I do not think it is necessary for the next ten years. In that time I believe we shall have the trust in a better position. 144. How it is that the trustees only recently moved in the matter of improving the property? —Of course, I cannot reply to that. I can only say that during the time I have been a trustee I have endeavoured to push the estate along, and that Mr. Maclean and Dr. Anson have also been very active. 145. Do you not think that if science were taught more fully and individually in the school, and perhaps the principles of some occupation, such as agriculture or mechanics, as well, that would be better than any attempt at teaching industrial occupations?— Yes; I think decidedly that is the line we should take. 146. The boarding, I understand, is altogether in the hands of die headmaster? —Yes. 147. Do you not think it would be better if he could be relieved of that? —I think so. That is one of the lines we mean to follow as soon as we can. 148. As to the expense of boarding at this school, do you not think if it was managed by the trustees the expense to parents might be considerably reduced? —I do not think there is any particular object in reducing the price to those who pay. I think £45 is about the usual price. 149. If £45 covers the boarding, how is it that another £40 is needed to keep a boy going?—l think one's experience of schools is that if you send a child to school and the expenses are supposed to be so much, invariably when you get the bill you find it runs to a considerably higher amount. I have had girls at two different schools, and their expenses invariably amounted to about the same. 150. If the school buildings are to last for only ten years, why put new clothing on to old garments by rebuilding just now?— You see, it is aboslutely necessary, because we had no room for the boys in the school. I believe that at the present time we are up to our full limit. 151. Mr. Eliott.] It has been represented that the boys get extravagant ideas in the way of dressing, and that they are constantly called on for subscriptions for this, that, and the other, and that in Wanganui College every boy is expected to comply with these requests: have you found that is so? —No 152. Mr. Ngata.] In regard to this church system of administration, as a business man, do )ou think there are any defects inherent in such a system of administering property?—l think that, as a rule, the Church does not select business men for positions on these trusts; but I think we have on this particular trust at the present time quite as good men as you generally get on any public body. 153. It has practically been found necessary under any such system to delegate the powers very largely either to a portion of the trustees or to outsiders?—lf you ask me, " Do parsons as a rule make good business men?" I should say, No. I think we have a very great exception in the case of Mr. Maclean. Of course, he was a banker before he was a clergyman. 154. Has the Education Department made any representations to the trustees on the subject of technical education ?—Not since I have been a trustee. 155. I have heard of a proposal in connection with Te Aute College to do away with the matriculation classes and take the more promising Maori youths direct to some of the European secondary schools, the proposal being, so far as I can make out, to have these schools subsidised by the Government: Would you favour a provision to find places for such boys at Wanganui College?—l see no objection to that at all. 156. There would then be a careful selection of suitable boys, so that there should be no upsetting to any great extent of the present curriculum and tone of the school? —Certainly there would be no objection to the fact of their being members of the Maori race. 157. Your idea is that, up to the present, the sons of so-called rich men have not benefited by the trust directly? —I mean by that they pay quite sufficient to cover all expenses. In fact, I look upon these people as providing ultimately sufficient funds not only for the education of their own boys, but assisting also in the education of those for whom the trust was originally intended, and always will be intended I think no Government trust is intended for the education of wealthy people, but for the education of those who require assistance. The combination makes the trust moneys go further and the teaching of a higher class. 158. In regard to the position of solicitor or legal adviser to the trustees : would you have such a person on the trust as a trustee ?—Certainly not. 159. You do not approve of that?— No. I may say Mr. Quick's present term expires at the end of this month, and I think somebody else is to be appointed—probably a solicitor in Wanganui —should he be reappointed trustee. The matter has been raised.