BOARD OF EDUCATION.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 14, 16 June 1874, Page 3

BOARD OF EDUCATION.

The weekly meeting of the Board of Education took place yesterday afternoon, at three o’clock. Present —Messrs C, C. Bowen (in the chair), J. Inglis, Kennaway, T. W, Maude. CHRISTCHURCH EAST. A letter was read from the chairman of the Christchurch East committee, forwarding a report of a sub-committee, on the proposed teaching staff and stipends. REPORT OF SUB-COMMITTEE ON STIPENDS. Our suggestions are based on the assumption that the main school will contain eight hundred children of both sexes and of all ages, from five to fifteen or sixteen ; and that the branch schools will be for children under eight or nine years of age, say two hundred in each school. Two methods of organisation of the staff of teachers arc available, having regard to the probable limit of income : —lst. A considerable number of teachers at low stipends might be employed, with the assistance of a few pupil teachers. 2nd. A small number of teachers of a high class, and well paid, might be engaged, and the deficiency in their number made up by an increase in the staff of pupil teachers. We recommend the second plan in preference to the first, deeming it most essential that the principal teachers should be the most efficient that can be secured.

We submit the following scheme of staff and stipends, premising that the superior teachers would have large augmentations from the Board, in the shape of bonus for classification, and payment for instruction of pupil teachers. The augmentation in the case of a first class teacher might be as much as £GO bonus, and £6O or £BO for instructing the pupil teachers. Head master, £350, house, bonus, and pupil teachers’ money.

Second master, £250, bouse and bonus. Third master, £2OO, and bonus. Head mistress, £2OO, house, bonus, and pupil teachers’ money. Second mistress, £l5O, and bonus. Third mistress, £IOO, and bonus. Fourteen pupil teachers, average £3O, £l2O.

Mistress, Bingsland, £l2O, house, bonus, and pupil teachers’ money. Two pupil teachers, £6O. Mistress, South Belt, £l2O, house, bonus, and pupil teachers’ money. Two pupil teachers, £6O. Total. £2030,

We think it might be ad visible to lay down some rule for distributing the work of instructing pupil teachers, so that each of the adult teachers might have a share in the duties and emoluments.

(Signed) Wm. Jas. Habens, H. G. M. Watson. Christchurch, June Bth, 1874. The Chairman said the proposed staff would cost £2030 for 1200 children.

The Board approved of the scheme of the East Christchurch sub-committec on the teaching staff and stipends. A letter was also read, stating that the committee were willing to enter into an arrangement with Mr Charles Hull to open drawing classes in connection with the schools, at 5s per quarter for each pupil.

The Board sanctioned the arrangement. A letter was read from the committee covering a letter from the rate collector, stating that the residents in Matheson’s road had already paid an educational rate for the Heathcote district, but owing to an alteration in the districts they were now called upon to pay a rate for the Christchurch east district. This they demurred to do, but were willing to pay 13s 4d, being what they considered a fair proportion until next January. The secretary was directed to reply that the Board would advise the Government that it would be equitable that those petitioners from Matheson’s road who have paid rate to the Heathcote collector on account of any part of the year, for which rates are now being collected in the East Christchurch district, should have an allowance made them to the extent of such payment. EXAMINATION FOR SCHOLARSHIPS. The following report from the Examiners for Scholarships was read : Christchurch, June loth, 1874. To the Chairman of the Board of Education. Sir, —We have the honor to report that during the past fortnight we have examined seventy-four candidates for scholarships, twenty in class A, twenty-six in Class B, nineteen in class C, and nine in class D. The results are shown in the tables of marks which we enclose. In class A the first three boys, Cohen, Grossman, and Partridge, may be regarded as equal, a difference of five marks in such a total being almost inappreciable. The next three boys, Rowe, Round, and Watson, run very close together, and at no great distance from the first three. Wake, Rogers, and Nairn head the list in class B, while Fuller and Green, with a tie, and several others who are nearly equal, follow at a considerable interval. The best names in class C are Atack, Deamer, and Sword, but Hartland is only six marks below the last named. Barclay and Innes are first and second in class D. We notice that Lough, who described himself as belonging to class O, and took the papers of that class, was entered for class B. While regretting that the mistake occurred, wo are of opinion that it has not affected his chance of a scholarship. Cookson in class A did not give in his spelling paper and consequently his position in the list is lower by one or two places than it ought to have been. G. and L. Martin wore absent during the time of examination in history. We wish to call the attention of the Board to the fact that, as on former occasions, several candidates have presented themselves ‘who were altogether unprepared for such an examination. Of . the seventy-four boys examined nineteen failed to obtain onethird of the aggregate maximum of marks, and eight fell below one-fourth. We understand that in some cases names were entered by the parents without the knowledge of the teachers, and even against their wish. We beg to suggest that, in order to avoid needless expense and trouble, and to protect the reputation of teachers and schools, means should be adopted (as by requiring that the application shall be approved by the master) to confine the competition to boys who are likely to acquit themselves reasonably well. We have the honor to be, sir, Your obedient servants, Wm. Jas. Habens, B.A. J. V. Colborne-Veel, M,A. The Board awarded the scholarships in Class A to Cohen and Grossman, and in consideration of the remarks of the examiners, a special prize was awarded to Partridge, who was within three marks of Grossman. In Class B, the scholarships were awarded to F. Wake, Rogers, and Nairn. In Class C, the scholarships were awarded to A. Atack, Deamer, and Swords ; and Mr Gould’s scholarships were awarded to Hartland and Alexander. In Class D, B irelay and J. Innes obtained the scholarships. Notice was directed to be given to the parents and guardians of the successful candidates to produce certificates of birth. BARRY’S BAY. It was resolved that Barry’s Bay would be proclaimed an educational district as soon as the boundaries were correctly ascertained. le eon’s bay. The Board recommended the Government to levj a building rate for £6O, to be paid in within ten days. WAIM ATE. A letter was read from Mr John Manchester, stating that he had been elected chairman of the committee, and was willing to accept the appointment, provided the Board would sanction the appointment of a paid secretary. The Board decided to allow £l2 for the vayment of a secretary for this year. A letter was also read, enclosing a resolution of the committee, stating that they believed the time had arrived for the employment of a thoroughly trained master ; also asking for a plantation grant and certain maps gratis. The secretary was directed to reply that the Board would endeavor to find an efficient master on present master finding a suitable appointment. The plantation grant was allowed, and the maps will be supplied on the usual conditions. RANGIORA. A letter was read from the Rangiora committee enclosing plans for school furniture,

for which two tenders had been received, one of which had been accepted by the committee. The Board requested that the committee would consider how far the plans could be modified so as to meet the regulations. Models can be seen at *t. Albans. WOODEND. A letter was read from the committee, stating that the committee had appointed Miss Susan Fee as mistress. The Board decided that as Miss Fee was coming up for examination her appointment should depend upon the result of such examination. LITTLE RIVER. A letter was read from the committee asking the Board to take the necessary steps for levying a building rate. The Board decided to recommend the Government to levy a rate. HAREWOOD ROAD. A similar application for the purpose of purchasing school furniture was read from the Harewood road committee, and the Board directed a similar reply to be sent. PORT LEVY. The Chairman said that he found that there were twenty-six children who would attend school in the Port Levy district, and that the inhabitants had already subscribed £BO, and promised to subscribe more if required. Mr R. Fleming had offered a site. The Board decided to take the necessary steps for proclaiming Port Levy an educational district, as soon as the boundaries could be ascertained. DRILL INSTRUCTOR. The month'y report of the drill instructor was laid on the table. PLANTATIONS. A circular was directed to be sent to the school committees, requesting them to have the plantations cleaned, and the Board would pay a reasonable expenditure. The Board then adjourned.