EDUCATION BOARD.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3214, 18 October 1881, Page 3

EDUCATION BOARD.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18. The Board met at 10 o'clock. Present: Messrs J. D. Ormond (in tbe chair), J. N. Williams, Harding, Dobson, Russell, Sutton, Tanner, and the Rev. D. Sidey. CORRESPONDENCE. From the Minister of Education, Stating that the total amount available for school buildings, &c, for the whole of the colony would be £85,000 ; that this would be apportioned in strict accordance with the population of the different districts, and that the grant to tbe Hawke's Bay district would be £3194.— The Chairman said that to make matters plain to the Board it would be necessary to remind members that their application to the Education Department had been for £10,362, and that this amount was necessary for the essential requirements of the district. There was a small amount included in this amount for residences, but apart from these the principal amount was for essentials without which they could not give proper effect to the Act. In connection with this the secretary had prepared a list of liabilities on contracts incurred to the amount of £1610 19s, including allowances for residences for the year. This amount, with the amount of applications which they had already agreed to, would amount to a sum of £3190. The amount of the Government grant, with a small balance in hand, would amount to £8487, so that they would have just about £300 left for the expenses of the current year.—The Rev. D. Sidey said that, under the circumstances, it would be well it they held all applications for grants over until they had tbe whole before them, and they would then be able to apportion the amount properly.—Mr Tanner said that, apart from teachers' residences, it appeared that £8000 would be required to carry out the Education Act in this district properly. They were somewhat in the position of the children of Israel, who were required to make bricks without proper material. He thought they should either not attempt such a thing, and make such representations to the Government as would brine about some alteration in the system, for they should do just as many other Boards did, go on spending regardless of the amount allotted to them. They were not able to carry out the system with the means available. He moved, " That the amount allotted to this district for providing for school buildings and repairs is altogether inadequate, and that the Minister for Education be so informed ; and also that a statement be sent to the Government showing their liabilities, and their actual urgent requirements for the current year."—Mr Sutton could not see that it would be any use passing such a resolution. The Government had at least ehown that tbe money had been divided on some ascertained basis, and equality —not as last year, when the money was given haphazard, and this district only got £1000. He agreed with Mr Tanner that they should not confine themselves strictly to the amount of the Government grant.—Captain "Russell thought that the most objectionable feature of the grant was that it had been made on a population basis ; it was not a fair one. Some of the districts South had large land funds available for educational purposes; then it would deal hardly with rapidly increasing districts which would be placed in a most unfair position as compared with others already provided for. He objected strongly to the basis adopted.:—Mr Tanner: I trust you will represent that to the Government when you return to your seat in the next Parliament. —Mr Sutton:—That is a Contingency that might not occur. —Captain Russell would second the motion.— The Chairman thought they ought to make some representation to tbe Government to the effect that they were not able to carry out the system with the means at present at their disposal. The shortness of funds would mean that they would be unable to get teachers sufficient for their purpose. The Government, in bringing down a vote, were supposed to consider the requirements of the country, and he could see no excuse for a Government pretending to carry on a system of education, and failing to provide adequate funds.—Mr Tanner thought that a strong representation of the state of things was desirable, because be thought the Government would bare to face the imposition of small fees for those able to pay them.—The motion was then passed. A large number of applications for grants to carry out repairs, &c, were received, and the consideration ot them was deferred until the whole of such applications 3ould be placed before the Board. From the secretary of the Hastings School Committee, asking for a grant for the erection for a class-room. Resolved that the consideration of tbe application be adjourned. An application from the same Committee was made for the appointment of a second pupil teacher to the school. Resolved that the application be received when the attendance required it. An application from the same committee for hat hooks, &c, was referred to the School Committee. , From the chairman of the Kaikora r Committee, statiug that Mr A. Hamilton had declined the mastership of the school, and asking the Board to agree to the recommendation of Mr Naylor for the appointment. Recommendation agreed to. From the Hastings Committee, enclosing a letter from Mr M'Leod in reference to a report of the Inspector about Miss F. Wood. Resolved that the Board has no recommendation to make on the subject. From the Rev. Mr Simcox, stating that tbe mistress of the Porangahau district school had resigned. Resignation accepted. From the chairman of the Puketapu Committee, asking for a grant to put the fence of the school in repair. An expenditure of not more than £10 was authorised. , From the Education Department, in reference to the Te Arai school and school site. Resolved that the secretary suggest to the Government that they give a grant of £300 for the erection of

a new building, and the Board will provide a school site. From tbe Chairman of the Waipukurau School Committee, to the effect that, owing to the prevalence of scarlatina in the village, they had resolved to close the school until further notice. From the head teacher of tbe Wallingford school, resigning her post. Accepted. From the Chairman of the Wairoa School Committee, in reference to repairs, &c, required by the school. Deferred till next meeting. From Te Aute, enclosing a list of the children in the district who could attend school. Resolved that the secretary enquire if the children named are actually in the district. From the Educational Department, in reference to scholarship regulations. Resolved to ask the Government to sanction Regulation 3. From Messrs Lucas and Humphries, enclosing tender for additions to the district school at £80 19s. Accepted. inspector's annual hepokts. The annual reports of the Inspector were placed on the table, and it was decided that they should be forwarded to each of the members of the Board for perusal. The Board then adjourned.