SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

Globe, Volume V, Issue 529, 28 February 1876, Page 3

SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

WEST CHRISTCHURCH.

A special meeting of the committee was held on Wednesday evening, at 7.30. Present —Messrs Tancred (chairman), Bickerton, Booth, Bell, and Bowie. The chairman stated that the special business the committee had to consider was the report of the deputation to the Minister for Education, relative to the enlargement of the Lincoln Boad school, and other matters.

Professor Bickerton, for the deputation, reported that they had submitted the draft plans prepared by the Provincial Architect to the Minister for Education, who had signified his approval of them, and would give instructions to have complete plans and specifications prepared. He had also approved of the appointments of pupil teachers made by the visiting committee, and had informed the deputation that it was the intention of the Government to take over the management of the Normal School entirely, after the end of the current quarter.

Letters from the Secretary for Education were read, enclosing copy of inspector’s report on Lincoln road school, which stated that the buildings and premises were in good order, but that the accommodation fell short of the large and increasing attendance; that the boys’ school fairly maintained the character for efficiency earned in former examinations; and that the girls’ school had largely increased in numbers and efficiency since the appointment of the present mistress ; stating that from the Ist April next the Normal school will be taken under the management of the Education department, and requesting the committee to give notice to the present staff that their engagement will terminate on the 31st March ; also, sanctioning the appointments of pupil teachers made by the committee.

The secretary was directed to write to the Minister for Education, to enquire whether the committee or the Education Department would advertise for tenders for the new school buildings, as, in the latter case, the committee would wish to confer with him before any tender was accepted. The secretary was also directed to give the required notice to all the teachers employed in the Normal School.

A letter was read from Mr J. J. El win, requesting the chairman to furnish him and the teachers under him with testimonials, as it was their intention to apply to the Government for situations in the Normal School, and the secretary was requested to attend to the matter.

Applications were received for engagements as pupil teachers at Lincoln road school, and the selection was left in the hands of the visiting committee. Professor Bickerton wished to point out to the committee that as the Normal School would completely pass out of their control on the Ist of April, and would practically, as far as the Education Act was ||concerned, cease to be a district school, it behoved the committee, in the interests of the ratepayers, to endeavour to obtain a refund of the amoqnt charged against the West Christchurch district towards the erection of that building, as it was manifestly unfair that the ratepayers of the district should have to pay largely for a school over which, through their representatives, they had no control whatever. The committee quite concurred with this view, and a letter was drawn up to be forwarded to the Minister for Education, requesting that the amount contributed by the district should be returned to it, or else that the district should be credited with a sum of money equal to the sixth paid, together with the corresponding five-sixths contributed by the Government, and accordingly that the committee should have authority to incur any expenditure on buildings that may be requisite, equal to the two amounts, without any further charge being made on the district.

The committee then adjourned. The visiting committee subsequently appointed Miss Martha J. Blyth and Miss Eliza M. Willis pupil teachers at Lincoln road school.