17 FEBRUARY 1872, Page 3

In answer to Mr. Dixon on Monday night, Mr. Forster

gave some very interesting statistics about the recent building grants. His estimate was nothing but an estimate, as he had not the data for a complete calculation ; but he believed that for £400,000 of building grant by the State, given since August, 1870, school accommodation had been secured which, when supplemented from voluntary sources, amounted to the enormous value of £2,000,000. of which of course £1,600,000. would be due to private effort. This comparatively small outlay by the State will provide building- room for 400,000 additional children. So that while the State has spent £1 per head on this accommodation, private individuals have provided £4 a head. If this had come out of rates, what outcry should we not have had !