HC Deb 21 October 1912 vol 42 cc1732-3W
Mr. O'DONNELL

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what was the amount left by the late Mr. Reid, of Bombay, for the advancement of education in Kerry and what is the annual income from this amount; how has this income been spent during the past twenty-six years; what was the number and value of prizes and the number of competitors for them during the last ten years respectively; and how many Kerry students trained in Marlborough Street Training College have availed themselves of this fund to graduate in Trinity College, Dublin, during the past twenty-six years; and whether, seeing that, owing to altered conditions, the objects of the donor cannot now be carried out, he will appoint a small committee to consider and report how best the fund may be distributed?

Mr. BIRRELL

The amount was £9,435, and the income from this bequest is about £222. The income has been spent during the last twenty-six years in accordance with the following schemes as authorised by the trustees of the late Dr. Reid's will: —(1) In the maintenance of two Reid Exhibitions in Trinity College, Dublin, of the value of £40 each, to enable students of the county Kerry, who have successfully passed the final examination in the Marlborough Street Training College to obtain the Degree of Arts in Trinity College; (2) in awarding prizes to the best competitors amongst the male monitors of the national schools of the county Kerry. The following Table shows the number and value of the prizes and the number of competitors for them during each of the last ten years:—

Monitors examined at end of fifth year (or at end of third year in case of those appointed for three years). Monitors examined at end of third year (or at end of first year in case of those appointed for three years).
Year. No. of Competitors. No. of Prizes awarded. Value of Prizes. No. of Competitors No. of prizes awarded. Value of Prizes.
1903 7 6 £25, £22, £20, £18, £16, £14 7 6 £20, £18, £16, £14, £12, £10
1904 14 6 £25, £22, £20, £17, £17, £14 7 6 As in 1903
1905 4 4 £25, £22, £20, £18 16 6 do.
1906 7 6 £25, £22, £20, £18, £16, £14 11 6 do.
1907 16 6 As in 1906 16 6 do.
1908 8 6 do. 10 6 do.
1909 15 6 do. 12 6 do.
1910 9 6 do. 9 6 do.
1911 12 6 do. 6 6 do.
1912 10 6 do. 5 4 £20, £18, £16, £14
The number of Kerry students trained in the Marlborough Street Training College who have availed themselves of this fund to graduate in Trinity College, Dublin, during the past twenty-six years, was four. It is open to the Commissioners of National Education, if they think fit, to apply, as they have done before, to the Court of Chancery for an amendment of the scheme under which the fund is distributed. There does not appear to be any necessity for the appointment of a Committee of Inquiry as suggested in the question.