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136
Under both these heads the cost has increased by more than 50 per cent.,,
although the number of scholars in average attendance has increased by no
more than 4*12 per cent.
The enormous increase of expenditure under every head clearly
indicates that a more minute attention to detail on the part of the
Members, would effect a considerable saving without impairing the
efficiency of the work for which the Board was created. It therefore
seems important to impress upon the electors at the forthcoming election
that only those Members should be returned who have the capacity and
the time to master the mass of detail comprised in the Administration
of the Board, and the determination to restrict the expenditure of public
moneys within the narrowest possible limits, consistent with the efficiency
of the Schools.
The Vestry suggested a conference of representatives
from local authorities either in each electoral division, or in
the aggregate, with a view to awakening public attention
to the matter. Whether from indifference, despair, or other
causes, however, only about one-fourth of the local authorities
expressed their willingness to take joint action, and no
conference was therefore held. In order to excite public
interest in this Parish, the Vestry granted the use of the
Vestry Hall, free of charge, to such of the candidates as
desired to hold a public meeting, and several such meetings,
were held.
It is gratifying to know that in the Westminster Division
the four candidates selected for the support of the
ratepayers as economists, were returned, and that throughout
the metropolis, the so-called "Progressive " candidates
were either rejected or returned low on the poll. The
Vestry, therefore, look with some confidence to a diminution
in the School Board rate during the term of office of
the newly-elected Board.