GREY EDUCATION BOARD.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 3 December 1901, Page 2

GREY EDUCATION BOARD.

The regular monthly meeting of the above Board was held last night. Present—Messrs'Harris (chairman), Byrne, M’Carthy, Kerr, Flynn, Petrie and Kettle. The hon. treasurer, Mr Byrne, repotted receipts since last meeting to have been £633 11s and expenditure £627 11s, leaving a debit for the month of £24. The debit balance at bank was £2O Is. The credit balance to Building Account was £64 Is. The month’s proceedings, the treasurer said, were not very satisfactory. From the Education Department, stating that the Minister for Education declines to agree to capitation for September being computed on the Juno quarter. Mr Kettle wanted to know why the extra allowance had not been paid before. It seemed extraordinary that the Grey and Westland Boards had been treated differently from other Boards, and he moved that the Department be asked for an explanation. Seconded by Mr Flynn, and carried.

The Secretary stated that the money had only arrived ten days ago. Prom the same, stating that a conference of Secretaries of Education Boards will be held at Wellington on the 11th December, and asking if Board will to allow their Secretary to attend. The questions to be discussed were merely departmental ones in order to secure unanimity. Resolved on the motion of Mr Petrie, seconded by Mr Kerr, that the Secretary proceed as desired,

On the motion of Mr Petrie, seconded by Mr Flynn, it was resolved that teachers be paid for the month prior to the 11th instant.

From Miss Kemple, giving a further explanation as to absence from technical classes.—Received.

From the Kokiri School Committee asking for an cnlargment as the school was too small for attendance of 60. Resolved on motion of Mr Petrie, seconded by Mr Byrne, that Committee be informed additions will be put up as soon as building vote is to hand. Resolved on motion of „ Chairman, seconded by Mr Petrie, that the recommendation of the Paroa School Commit- % tee in regard to appointment of teachers be agreed to. The Chairman moved that any scholarS who has passed the Sixth Standard be guaranteed free tuition at the Grey High School. He thought the time was come when higher education should be open to all children who had passed the last standard in the State School free of cost. It would be a boom that would be hailed with satisfaction by parents, and was in keeping with the spirit of the age. Mr Petrie, in seconding, hailed the proposition with the_ utmost satisfaction. It would enable their children to enjoy the advantages possessed by the youth in the larger centres. It was in his opinion the thin end of (he wedge for a high school proper. . He estimated the attendance of 45, and as the regulations so far as he read them admitted of a payment of £9 10s per head the finances would be strong enough provided they got a special vote for a larger room or separate building. At present the financial difficulty should not be allowed to stand in the way of the principle affirmed in the resolution.

In reply to Mr Kettle, the Inspector said the allowance would be £lO per head with a special vote of £3O. The present room would be ample for about 30 pupils. He did not, upon his computation, see much difficulty in the matter beyond the question of a room.

Mr Flynn supported the motion, holding that it would aid country pupils as well as those in town.

Some discussion arose in regard to the question of scholarship, but it was pointed out that these would not be abolished. It would be necessary to readjust the payments.

Mr Kettle favored the project as a step in the right direction, as it gave to all children in the district a chance of going to the high school free of cost. There was a reserve on the opposite side of the street beyond Sawyer’s Creek bridge that might be got. Mr Byrne favored the scheme; but did not know how it was to work out financially. > % Resolution put and carried.