BOARD OF EDUCATION.

Globe, Volume VII, Issue 750, 14 November 1876, Page 2

BOARD OF EDUCATION.

Monday, November 13. The first meeting of the newly constituted Board of Education was held at 2 p.m in the Normal School Buildings. Present—Messrs W. Rolleston, A. Duncan, H. J. Tanored, J. N. Tosswill, H. R. Webb, A. C. Knight, W. Montgomery, T. W, Hall, and J. Inglis. On the motion of Mr Montgomery, Mr Rolleston took the chair pending the election of a permanent chairman of the Board. Mr Rolleston said the Board had been constituted by proclamation, under the provisions of the Education Boards Bill, passed during the recent session of the Assembly. He desired to congratulate the gentlemen he saw around him on their association together in the work of education—a work to which many of them, in times past, had devoted i heir best energies. According to the Act, the first business of the Board would be the election of a permanent chairman, Mr W. Montgomery said he had very great pleasure in proposing that Mr John Inglis be elected chairman of the Board. Mr Inglis had acted in a similar capacity on the old Board, and he Montgomery) as a member of that Board had had the opportunity of observing the zeal and business ability displayed by Mr Inglis during his period of office. These were qualities eminently fitting any gentleman for the position, and he had therefore the greatest possible pleasure in proposing Mr Inglis as their chairman.

Mr J. N. Tosswill seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. 7 Mr Inglis, in taking the chair, said he accepted the office under a heavy sense of the responsibility attaching to it, but he would, as he always had done, endeavor to discharge the duties devolving upon him with credit to himself and a due regard to the interests of the cause of education. He believed that the action of the Board, like that which had preceded it, would be felt for the benefit of education, the welfare of which he believed they all had sincerely at heart. Mr Rolleston had briefly given them an account of how they were called into existence, and would, he believed, later on give them some information on the matter of finance. He hoped it would be clear and to the point, so that they might be able thoroughly to comprehend their position. He would venture to suggest that with a view of expediting business the Board should appoint several sub-committees in order to deal with finance and other matters. If this were done, the chairman and the Board would be spared a great many matters of detail and a good deal of time be saved. He would now ask Mr Rolleston to give them some information as to matters of finance and other things which were of interest. Mr Rolleston said that when the Abolition Act came into force, there was an interval between that period and the first meeting of the Board, during which he, as representing the Government, had acted. He would like to take this opportunity of saying that he found the current work of the office brought up to date, and nothing remained to be dealt with except the ordinary: business accumulating since the coming into operation of the Abolition Act. He had taken upon himself to pay the current salaries, and also amounts due on contracts which were under operation. He had done this in order that no inconvenience might arise either to the teachers or contractors from the interregnum which necessarily occurred between the cessation of the old system and the first meeting of the Board. Under these circumstances he would be glad if the Board would confirm the action taken by him. The usual system he believed—but Mr Knight would correct him if be was wrong—was to grant three months’ imprest, but as the Board was to sit so soon he had only thought it necessary to pay one month’s salaries. With regard to the current expenses of the Board, be bad laid the matter before the Hon Major Atkinson during his recent visit here, and he (Mr Rolleston) had been empowered to make such arrangements as would be necessary to meet the demands of the Board for current expenses at once. Arrangements would also be made by which the moneys voted by the Provincial Council could be operated upon by the Board. As regarded buildings it would probably be sufficient to pay over to the Board half the amount required, the remainder might bo used to defray existing liabilities due next month, Mr Montgomery said he thought that it would be as well if the Board passed a resolution, authorising the chairman to operate upon the Education fund of the district. He would therefore move—“ That the Education fund of the district of Canterbury be operated upon by cheques signed by the chairman and countersigned by the secretary.” Mr Webb seconded the motion, which was agreed to. Mr Tosswill moved—" That the chairman be requested to apply for payment to the Education fund of such sums as may be payable under the Provincial Extension Act 1876.”

Mr Duncan seconded the motion, which was carried, Mr Rolleston said, as the rooms in the Normal school would now be occupied by the Board and its officers it would be necessary to have a resolution empowering the chairman to have the books, documents, &c, removed, and the rooms furnished, Mr Duncan then moved—" That the chairman be requested to make arrangements for the removal of the books and documents now in the Government buildings to the rooms in the Normal school, and for furnishing the rooms of the Board.” Mr T. W. Hall seconded the motion, which was carried. Some conversation ensued as the payment to schools of incidental expenses, and ultimately Mr Tosswill moved—" That the chairman be authorised to pay any incidental expenses for the various schools which on examination may be found necessary.” Mr Montgomery seconded the motion* which was agreed to. The chairman said it might be as well for the Board to appoint committees to conduct the office business and the financial matters ; also to carry on such work as the examination of teachers, appointment of Board of Examiners, &c. In answer to a question from the chairman, Mr Knight said that the regulations of the old Board were still in force. Mr Montgomery thought that it would be better to leave these matters iu the hands of the chairman, The other members of the Board expressing similar views, it was decided to allow the arrangement of the matters spoken of to be wrwgeci by tbeobiirmuii

Mr Webb enquired whether the secretary had received any correspondence demanding immediate attention. The chairman said that the only letter received which was pressing, was one from Mr Fleming, of Port Levy, pointing out that a rate had been struck where no school existed. Mr Montgomery pointed out that under the 20th section of the Education Boards Act, no rate could be enforced where it had not been partially collected prior to the coming in force of the Act. The 20th section was as follows:—20. " From and after the coming into operation of this Act, every rate, except capitation rates for children, authorised to be levied for educational purposes by any Ordinance or Act of a Provincial Legislature shall be abolished, whether such rate is in respect of annual or other valuation of property, or is a household rate, or is a capitation rate for adults, or is leviable in any other way or in any other name. Nothing herein contained shall interfere with the recovery of any such rates levied by or payable to the Education Board (by whatever name designated), or by or to the Superintendent of any province, or any other person or persons, before the coming into operation of this Act, and then remaining unpaid, and any portion of which rates have teen collected; but such rates shall nevertheless be payable to and recoverable by the Board of the district within which such province is comprised, as if the Board constituted by this Act had been the original Board of the distoict, or the person or persons originally appointed to receive such rates." It would thus be seen that in any district where a portion of a rate had been collected prior to the Act coming into force, the ratepayers would be liable, but where the rate was struck and no portion collected before the date cf the Act coming into force, then they would not be liable. The chairman thought it would be as well for the secretary to communicate with the different rate collectors, to ascertain the position of affairs in the various districts, and thus be prepared to bring up full information on the subject at the next meeting of the Board,

Mr Montgomery moved—'• That the secretary be instructed to write to the rate collectors in the various districts, asking what apountof rate has been collected before the Ist November, 1876, and that they be instructed not to take any fresh action in the courts of law until further advised.” Mr Hall seconded the motion, which was carried. Mr Webb gave notice of motion for next meeting to move the appointment of solicitors to the Board. Mr Webb enquired how the school committees were to be appointed to replace those now in office, when their term expired. Under the old Act the ratepayers elected them, but as the present Act did away with all rates, and provided no means of electing committees, he was at a loss to see how they were to act. Mr Bolleston thought the old Act would apply. The chairman pointed out that this could not be so, as there were under the new Act no ratepayers, and the old Act expressly stated that the election should be by them. Mr Montgomery saw no other way for it than for the Government to appoint Commissioners, as the districts had no help for it but to neglect to appoint committees. After some further discussion the matter dropped. The Board then adjourned until Friday next, at 4 p.m.