BOARD OF EDUCATION.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 958, 20 July 1877, Page 3

BOARD OF EDUCATION.

Thursday, July 19. A meeting of the Board was held yesterday afternoon at the Normal School. Present— Messrs J. Inglis (chairman), A. Duncan, H. R. Webb, and J. N. Tosswill. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. WORK DONE BY CHAIRMAN. The Board approved of the business done j by the chairman since last meeting. LEAVE OF ABSENCE. Leave of absence was granted to the Hon. E. Stafford during the session of the Assembly. REPORTS. A number of reports from the inspectors on the various district schools, showing alterations required, were laid on the table. It was decided that a note of the recommendations should be sent to the committees, with a request that plans might be forwarded. These reports tp be further considered at a future date. LECTURES AT TIMARU. Mr Howard, in his report, referred to the small attendance of teachers at lectures given lit Tiinaru, and suggested that these should in future be advertised. The secretary was directed to advertise future lectures there, and call the attention of the local committees thereon. .MUSICAL INSTRUCTION. A report was read from Mr Howard on the instruments and appliances required for teaching music and singing at the proposed classes at the Normal School, and suggesting the adoption of Heller's method. Mr Watkins also reported on the same subject. The Board sanctioned the purchase of a piano for the purposes of the musical school. G Y SIN AST IC DEPARTMENT. Mr Howard reported on this department of (he Normal School, suggesting that assistant teachers who have attended the required number of lessons should be asked to assist Mr Walker, who, in his (Mr Howard's) ppinion, had too much to attend to; also making suggestions in class drill and the calisthenic division of the system. Alterations were required in the infant department. Ii was necessary that assistant female teachers should also undergo a course of physical training, and that swings, &c, should be provided

It was decided to allow this matter to stand over for the present. COUNTRY STUDENTS. Statistics from Mr Howard were read, showing how hard the present railway tariff pressed on students coining in from the country. Six attended from Rangiora ; railway expenses under the old tariff amounted to £2scoond class, and £8 first class, per annum. Under the new they were £l2 second class, and £l6 10s first class for same period. The Board resolved to lay the matter before the Government, representing that as the Normal School would be attended by students from all parts of the country, the question of reducing the present scale of railway travelling should be taken into their favourable consideration. In reply to the chairman, the secretary said there were 38 students now attending the Normal School. students' library. Rules for the issue of books from the Normal school library to teachers and students attending the lectures were submitted, and after some slight alterations were sanctioned. SCHOLARSHIP EXAMINATIONS. Mr Tosswill moved the following resolution, of which he had given notice, " That in all future examinations for scholarships boys and girls compete on equal terms as to age." When the existing regulation was first made it was considered only a temporary measure, and now, as matters had got into thorough working order, he thought it was time to abolish the regulation. His experience showed him that up to fifteen years of age girls were quite as sharp as boys, and sometimes sharper. If the alteration were made it woidd give a great deal of satisfaction in the country district. Mr Webb seconded the resolution, and endorsed all that had fallen from Mr Tosswill. The resolution was put and agreed to. TEACHERS' CERTIFICATES. Declarations and copies of baptismal certificates were read from the parents of those scholars who had passed the recent examinations, and the certificates were granted, as in classes already published. EDUCATION RESKRVKS. A letter was read from the Government, in reply, saying that all the education reserves must be let by public tender. A number of reports from the Steward of Reserves were laid on the table ; also the solicitor's opinion on many of the leases, BALCAIRN, Plans of sections offered for purchase by the Board in the proposed educational districts were submitted. After considering the plan of boundaries it was resolved to adopt the new educational boundaries proposed, with the exception of including section 2545 in the boundary. The recommendation of the provisional committee as to the purchase of the section offered by Mr Lewis was approved, and instructions given for the preparation of plans for the school and master's house. The date of the election of the committee was fixed for Monday fortnight. ASHBURTON. A letter was read from the Ashburlon district, asking the Board to erect a side school at Wakanui, as there were many families living in the neighborhood, and a number of children of an age for attending school. A second letter was read saying that forty-seven children at Wakanui attended no school, and ten or eleven went up to Ashburton from there. It was decided to ask for a sketch of the district, with fuller particulars. DUNSAKDEE. A letter was read, forwarding resolution passed by the committee as to the necessity for a new school being erected in that district., and enclosing sketch plan of the desired situation. The Selwyn committee also wrote suggesting a site where the school should be erected. The Board agreed to the creation of a new district, to be called the Dunsandcl district, the boundaries to be forwarded in reply, with a copy of the Selwyn committee's recommendation. IN COMMITTEE. The Board went into committee. On resuming, further routine business was transacted, and the Board adjourned.