EDUCATION BOARD.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2272, 18 August 1870, Page 2

EDUCATION BOARD.

The Educational Board met this afternoon in the Superintendents office. Present—His Honor the Superintendent, Messrs 'Reid, Duncan, and the Secretary (Mr Hisiop). A deputation from Blues kin waited upon the hoard, to recommend that a side school be formed in the district. Mr Green pointed out that there were twenty children under four years old, and thirty-four between four and fourteen, who, on account of their position, were too far distant to attend at Blueskin, the North-East Valley School, or Sawyer’s Bay, the distance to the nearest being about six miles. It was resolved that inquiry should be made, and that the Board would report to the Executive. A deputation from Mosgiel, asking the establishment of a side schooj, was referred to the joint committees of the two schools in the district for report. A deputation from Kaikorai attended, asking for a salary for a sowing niisfcrcss. Mr George Hepburn explained the necessity for assistance, and showed that the additional sum required would lie about forty pounds, but that if the arrangement were completed, a considerably greater number of girls could be educated. The case was referred to the Government. A deputation from Green Island was in attendance, or rather two deputations. The case occupied the attention of the Board a long time, and was ip reality an attempt on the part of certain members of the School Committee to obtain the sanction of the Government to dismiss Mr A. G. Allan,,the schoolmaster. It was evident from the long correspondence that the quarrel was more of a personal than a professional character, and that it was intensified by the religious element having been introdupe I, Protestant* ism, Roman Catholicism, and Free Church.

ista 'tjemg ranged against each other. It was altogether a local quarrel, and the Board, after a patient hearing of both sides, who spoke of each other in no measured terms, resolved on the motion of Mr Reid — “Having considered the communication submitted in reference to the application from the Green Island School Committee, and having heard the parties to the cause, resolved to defer further consideration of the committee’s application until the half-yearly meeting in January next, and instruct the Inspector to report to said meeting on the state and conduct of the school during the interval.” Mr Reid expressed his regret that sectarian feelings had been imported into the matter : shewed that they were alien to the system of education in Otago, and that if allowed to influence men’s minds, they would render a reconstruction of it necessary. Mr Allen apologised for having referred to them. After some unimportant business tho Board adjourned.