BOARD OF EDUCATION.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 142, 17 November 1874, Page 4

BOARD OF EDUCATION.

Monday, November 16. The Board held its usual weekly meeting. Present—Messrs A. C. Knight (chairman pro tern), G, Gould, J. N. Tosswill. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. MILITARY DRILL. . A special report on the Woodend school as regarded military drill was read, stating that drill was both necessary and beneficial to the children. The secretary was instructed to forward a copy of the report to the committee, directing their attention to the 54th clause of the Ordinance, which renders it compulsory for military drill to be taught in district schools, also, to state that all boys in the school old enough to learn drill, must be taught, DRAIN'S BAY. The following letter from Mr G. Bishop, master of the district school, relative to the memo of the inspector as regarded teaching the Church catechism was read »• jj r William Moore, chairman district school committee. Sir, —I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of memo of inspector of schools, with reference to the teaching of the Catechism of the Church of England in the Okain Bay school during school hours, as part of the instruction given in the school. And in reply, to state that since the school ceased to be a denominational one, I have never, on any occasion, taught the Church Catechism, or given any religious instruction in the school, other than sacred history as required by the Education Ordinance. The inspector has been misled by a paragraph which appeared in the Press during the last session of the Synod, in which I was entirely misreported when speaking on the question of religious education. I did not say that I am teaching the Church Catechism now, but was referring to my appointment by the Bishop in 1863, when I was required by his lordship to teach the Catechism, it being then a Church of England school, and the remark arose from my saying that at that time I first personally visited the parents of all the children attending school, and asked them if they had objection to such teaching, and in no case was any objection raised. I much regret that I did not endeavour to correct the mistake of the Press when I first saw the paragraph referred to, as I find it has evidently laid me open to the grave charge of disobedience to the authority of the Education Ordinance, which I have ever acted up to conscientiously in the discharge of my duties. George Bishop, Master of Okain’s Bay school.” The Board considered Mr Bishop’s explanation as being very satisfactory. ASHBURTON. A letter was read from the Provincial Secretary, stating that a reserve for the enlargement of the Ashburton school site had been made, as requested by the Board, The secretary was instructed to forward a copy of the letter to the chairman of the local committee. OUST. A letter was read from the local committee, pointing out that the school should be visited by the inspector and drill instructor more frequently than at present. The secretary was instructed to forward a reply, stating that the school would be inspected at least twice during the year. The other portion of the letter was referred to the drill instructor, Mr Walker. little rakaia. A request for authority to carry out certain alterations was granted, except as regarded the division of the sexes by two yards. EAST OXFORD. A letter was read from the committee, stating that the average attendance haying increased to between 70 and 80, additions were required, and asking the sanction of the Board to additions proposed to be made. The secretary was instructed to reply that the Board would grant the request, the building to be separated from the present schoolroom by folding doors. A letter was also received stating that Mr Geo. Mehrten had been appointed assistant master; subject to the approval of the Board. The secretary was instructed to reply that if Mr Mehrten was above seventeen years of age, the Board would sanction his appointment, subject to his passing the usual examination, SALTWATER CREEK. The plans of class rooms, &c, for addition to the Saltwater creek school, were forwarded by the district committee. The Board resolved— 11 To request the committee to provide plans and estimates of a more detailed character.” IRWELL. A letter was read from the committee, asking leave to employ a surveyor to lay off the new school site, and also asking for plans of school buildings to be sent to them for their consideration. was instructed to rfply, that the committee should get the land surveyed as soon as possible. With respect to the erection of school buildings, the Board could not interfere until the land had been conveyed to the Superintendent. KOWAI PASS. A {letter was read from the district committee, asking whether the Board would grant five-sixths of the cost of additions to the master’s house. The Board agreed to grant the required five-sixths, tenders to be submitted to the Board for approval, WAIHI BUSH. A letter was read from the committee, asking that in view of increasing correspondence the sum of £5 should be devoted for a secretary. The secretary was’instructed to reply that the Board had no funds for the purpose of paying a secretary, GERMAN BAY. A letter was read from certain residents of German Bay, recommending a site of two acres for the German Bay School, and also one for a side school. The matter was adjourned for a week; The Board then adjourned.