1.—13 a.

32

Th. j. h. okey.

Dear Sir,— New Plymouth, 21st July, 1911. At the request of those present at a largely attended and representative meeting of townspeople held last evening, I have pleasure in forwarding to you a copy of a resolution then passed, protesting against the abolition of the Taranaki Education District. " That this meeting emphatically protests against the abolition of the Taranaki Education Board, as proposed in the Education Bill now before the House, and is of opinion that while still retaining five areas the boundaries can be so adjusted as to provide for (a) The retention of the Taranaki Education Board in its present location (New Plymouth) ; (b) a comparatively equal proportion of school population and schools of various grades ; (c) districts more easily and efficiently worked from their various centres : and that in view of the very great increase in the population of the Taranaki District which will follow the development now in progress and anticipated in the near future, the removal of the control of educational matters from the capital town of Taranaki would be seriously detrimental to the best interests of the people." A further resolution was passed that the members representing the Taranaki constituencies be requested to use their utmost endeavours to secure a readjustment of education district boundaries with a view to retaining a Taranaki Education District. I would like to say that the people of this town are unanimous in their protest against the proposal as to the boundaries contained in the Education Bill, and consider that the growth of the Taranaki District to be anticipated warrants the existence of a Taranaki Board, in the best interests of education in the district. A committee has been set up to bring our objections before the House. We urge upon you to assist us by all means in your power. Later on I will advise you what steps the committee is taking, and in the meantime would ask that you will give us the benefit of any suggestions that may occur to you to further our object. Yours faithfully. J. E. Wilson, Mayor. H. Okey, Esq., M.H.R., Wellington.

Dear Sir, Bird Road, 31st July, 1914. At a meeting of .settlers held in the Bird Schoolroom, 30th July, the following'resolution was carried unanimously: — " That this meeting protests against the proposal in the Education Bill now before Parliament to abolish the Taranaki Education District, believing that such a step will not be in the best interests of this district, but rather detrimental to the advancement of education in Taranaki, and we are of opinion that it would be better to extend the jurisdiction of the present Board." We hope and trust this will strengthen your hand in making objections to these parts of the Bill. I am, &c, G. S. Giddy, Chairman, Bird School Committee. H. J. H. Okey, Esq.

Dear Sir, — Stratford, Ist August, 1914. At a meeting of householders held at Toko last night, 27th July, the following resolution was unanimously carried : — " That this meeting strongly protests against the proposal to abolish the Taranaki Education District and amalgamation with Wanganui under the name of Egmont, but expresses the opinion that the present Taranaki District should be enlarged to include the whole of the provincial district." Yours faithfully, A. L. Shainey, Secretary, School Committee. H. .1. H. Okey, Esq.. MP.. Wellington. Resolutions passed at Public Meeting, Stratford. " 1. That this meeting, whilst approving of the Education Bill as a whole and welcoming many of its provisions, is strongly against the extinction of the Taranaki Education Board and the absorption of its territory in a new district with Wanganui for its centre. Such a step would be, in the opinion of this meeting, retrograde alike from a national, provincial, and a local point of view. It would tend to undue centralization with neglect of local interests ; it would kill the pride of localities in their educational institutions; it would abolish a Board under which the standard of education, as judged by the results of competitive examinations, has risen to a point that is as high or higher than obtains in larger districts. Instead of abolishing the Board this meeting is of opinion that its district should be enlarged to include the whole of the provincial district and the south-western portion of the Auckland District. This meeting urges that a district with these or similar boundaries should be provided for in the Bill. " 2. That this meeting urges that clauses 78 to 85 of the Education Act, 1908, dealing with Taranaki Scholarships, should be re-enacted in the present Act. " 3. That this meeting compliments the Minister on the Education Bill as a whole, recognizing that if it becomes law the cause of education will be in many respects materially advanced."

Resolutions passed at Public Meeting, Stratford. " 1. That this meeting, whilst approving of the Education Bill as a whole and welcoming many of its provisions, is strongly against the extinction of the Taranaki Education Board and the absorption of its territory in a now district with Wanganui for its centre. Such a step would be, in the opinion of this meeting, retrograde alike from a national, provincial, and a local point of view. It would tend to undue centralization with neglect of local interests ; it would kill the pride of localities in their educational institutions ; it would abolish a Board under which the standard of education, a.s judged by the results of competitive examinations, has risen to a point that is as high or higher than obtains in larger districts. Instead of abolishing the Board this meeting is of opinion that its district should be enlarged to include the whole of the provincial district and the south-western portion of the Auckland District. This meeting urges that a district with these or similar boundaries should be provided for in the Bill. " 2. That this meeting urges that clauses 78 to 85 of the Education Act, 1908, dealing with Taranaki Scholarships, should be re-enacted in the present Act. " 3. That this meeting compliments the Minister on the Education Bill as a whole, recognizing that if it becomes law the cause of education will be in many respects materially advanced."