The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1906-03-06
He M|N|M|zES
THE SCHOOL
SHORTAGE
1--WE SHOULD NOT soUEAL UN-
TIL, WE ARE PINCHED."

Governor Atkinson rouilleh oil =" Sum
mary of the educational situation
wherein he ventured to show that the
public schools were not yet in a quite
desperate state with relation to SUD-
sistence.
Mr.. Atkinson did not touch on the
question of the school tax, half oil
which goes to the counties for spend
ing upon anything but schools. Neither
did he discuss the low scale of pay
for country teachers.
What the Acting Governor talked
about on this occasion was the pres
ent condition of the school funds that
the Legislature provided, with relation
to the need of additional teachers III
existing schools and to the desirablilty
of procuring teachers for new schoois
projected. Conclusions he reached m
dictate that there is a goodly margin
of appropriation wherewith to increase
the teaching staff, and that the next
Legislature will be in session carry
enough to relieve any serious pinch
that may occur, covering the last four
months of the biennial period.
An opinion that escaped Mr.. Atklh-
son in passing was that there was no
occasion for any public excitement over
the fact that the Legislature had APP
propriated loan money to erect many
new school houses, while neglecting
utterly to vote appropriations for the
salaries of teachers to conduct schools
in such buildings. This, for the pres
ent. may be relegated to the category
of legislative freaks. Whatever IN
Jury may be done thereby is matter
70 be settled between the people OF the
districts injured and the representa-
tiyes they elected to look out for their
interests So far as the Department
of Education or the Government is
concerned no responsibility for the
anomaly should be accepted. Let the
consequences be taken home by the
people themselves, with the chance that
they may elect representatives hereatt-
er who will avoid such blunders. Such
are the sentiments of the executive
fairly paraphrased.
A BUSY DAY.
II was at the close of very busy
day with callers and clearing up OF
accumulated business. also it was more
than an hour past the usual closing
time in the departments, when w. H.
Babbitt. Superintendent of Public In
ernor yesterday. After being inside
about half an hour Mr. Babbitt. on
coming out, referred an Advertiser re-
porter to Mr.. Atkinson for informa~
tion on the results of the conference.
Acting Governor Atkinson for Sec
ond time within an hour admitted the
seeker for news and, inviting him TO
be seated. proceeded with the aid of
.tn nft
the subject that has agitated the COM
munity for a week or more.
"It seems to be a well instilled idea
in the popular mind" Mr.. Atkinson
began, that the question is that of n
choice between teachers and janitors'
i think a good many people did not
read Mr. Babbitts letter very care
fully.
"The real question Is whether or not
Mr. Babbitt can employ all the teach-
ers required in the successful develop
ment of our schools.
''Mr Babbitt estimates that by the
end of the present biennial period
June 30, 1907, on the present basis and
without any increase of teachers
which is sorely needed-he would have
balance of S6S23.SS, this after pro
viding for the pay of all the present
teachers and janitors
AT the present time there are need
ed one teacher at Eva, one at Waia'
lua one at Hamakuapoko, one at the
Normal and one at Napoopoo, besides
shortly one at Pahala, according tC
present indications.
NEW TEACHERS NEEDED.
Either today or before the begin
ming of another school year, new build
ings are either authorized or have beer
erected-at all events will be ready fol
opening in September-which will re-
quire teachers as follows:
"Kalihiwaena, oahu, 4: Kailua, Ha.
wall, 2; Kaunamano, Hawaii /; Haka'
iau, Hawaii, /; Konawaena, Hawaii
1; Paauhau, Hawaii. l. Kaanapali
Maui. is asking for schoolhouse and
teachers, and will make a liberal Offer
therefor to the department.
ION Kauai others will be needed
which are not settled on yet, a
sl6,74O was appropriated by last Legis
lature for EchO0lhOuSeE on that island
Exclusive u Eaanapaii and Of tn
needs OF Kauai there viii be needle
no less than eighteen new teachers
with a probability q several more be
ing required pefUre September
Now, assuming that these mes
teachers te paid az the rate Of $40
month for the ten months forming
school year. we would require S72oO
meet the demand. These are very cor
servative figures.
80 far as / am concerned. / do NJ
see why the Board Of Education fee
bound to start new schools in building
provided for by the Legislature. whe
the same Legislature deliberately fai
ed to provide fer new teachers.
JANITORS ARE SAFE.
"One thing | do not think is that u
poor tanitors need worry that IN,
are going TO lose their positions.
the question were put to me-'Sha
We start new schools and fire the ja
itOrsY--the answer would be easy.
would say, keep the janItors
another thing. with the sf'97
estimated balance we viii be able
do n great deal, That will give us ca
lily thirteen new teachers and It seer
10 me we can save the situation
not putting in extra teachers In sol
schools already organized and usi