BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2239, 16 November 1907, Page 2

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

DISCUSSION BY SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

A't last night’s meeting of tlioCisib or no School Committee tlho headmaster repented having received 'a copy of now regulations made the Education Board. Those regulations demanded that tliero bo five hours’ teaching in the forenoon, but owing to the Bible lessons on Monday the .time on that day would bo only four and a half hours. Ho left it to the committee to devißO some means of getting over the difficulty. Mr. Blair said it appeared to him that the Board was exceeding its duty in setting out what the hours should be. The Chairman tliought the particular regulation was not meant to deal with such schools as the Gisborne school. iTlhe Board had written to the (head-master, and until they wrote to the comnnittoo ho thought nothing should bo done. _ Mr. Rowley said that Mr. Hill had said that the Board had not passed the regulation for the purpose of hurting Bible classes; hut •she Board recognised that 25 hours was quite little enough time for the teaching of general subjects. <Mr. Barton suggested that Ithe c omulunioaition regarding hours bo received. The views of the committee on tile Bible classes were well known, and a further discussion at that stage was not necessary. If tho head-master said ho would carry out tho regulations then tlho committee would have to face tile position and determine who had power to lay down the “hours. If it was decided to continue having only four and a half hours, the committee should make itself responsible. Mr. Wildish said the position should be faced that night, and a decision come to one way or the other. Personally he would like to have the matter discussed before a full committee. ■Mr. Barton thought the Board had made the regulation merely to enable them to step in if the privilege accorded for Bible teaching were abused in any way. The Chairman thought that until the Board definitely signified that the regulation must be observed the committee could well merely receive it and take no action. Mr. Darton thought that if the head-mast Or notified the committee at next meeting that he was carrying on with only 'four and a half hours’ tuition on Mondays and Qiis action was approved the committee would be wholly responsible for the action. Mr. Blair moved that the regulations be received, and that the headmaster ho informed, that the_ committee had no instruction give at 15 resent. The motion was carried.