BOARD OF EDUCATION.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1097, 4 January 1878, Page 3

BOARD OF EDUCATION.

A meeting of the Board was held yesterday at 8 p.m., at the Normal School. Present—Messrs J. Inglis (chairman), Webb, Duncan, Montgomery, Eollcston, and Tancred. BUSINESS BY CHAIRMAN. The business transacted by the chairman since last meeting was confirmed. 151) U CAT lON A Ii RESERVES), A letter was read from tho solicitors to the Board, on the Board's position as to the educational reserves. After reciting technicalities the letter referred to the appointment of commissioners for three years, in whom the reserves will be rested, and went on to say : The provisions as to tho incorporation and succession of oommissicaors seem rather confused and imperfect. Although the reserves arc to he vested in tho commissioners, it. seems doubtful whether they are authorized to let or deal with them without the concurrence of tho Boards of the Provincial district (except lands within a town or city fit for building purposes). The Act further provides that the revenues derived from the reserves set apayt for prUmW

education, shall be handed over to the Boards in certain proportions. It would seem, therefore, that under the above mentioned Acts the Board still lias the legal estate in the reserves with no express power of letting or management. The Board is at present the only body entitled to collect the rents. Although upon the appointment of school commissioners the legal estate is vested in them, yet they will bo bound to account for and hand over the rents to the Board.

The question remains—Supposing the necessity arises before the appointment of school commissioners for any act of administration either by collecting the rents, enforcing performance of the covenants of leases, ejecting trespassers, or letting or reletting any reserve, is the Board empowered to act, and under what authority?—We are of opinion that the Public Reserves Act, 1877, would give the Board sufficient authority in any such case. The preambles recite that the Act is to make provision for the administration of public reserves in cases where no special provision exists in that behalf, and we think that until commissioners have been appointed no other provision exists as to any reserve vested in your Board. The secretary was instructed to ask Messrs Garrick and Cowlishaw for a more specific opinion on certain points. NEW BOARDS OF EDUCATION. A letter was read from the Education Department, Wellington, drawing attention to sections 13 (sub-secs. .1 and 2), 18, 63, and 64, of the Education Act, 1877. It was very desirable, the letter continued to say, that the duties prescribed by sub-sections 1 and 2 of section 13 should be performed by the new committees to be elected under the [Act, and that the old committees have all January to prepare the annual reports required by section 103. This could not be done unless advantage were taken of the power given to the Governor-in-Council, under section 18, to postpone the election of the new Education Boards, The Board was, therefore, requested to fix some day, towards the end of January, for the first meeting of householders for the election of school committees. The Governor-in-Council would be advised, under section 18, to postpone the election of Education Boards for one month. The old committees would thus have time to prepare their annual reports. The committees would in February nominate two persons, and in March elect nine persons, as members of the Board. The election by the Board could be held, say, on April 10th and 15th, and the members of the new Boadsr could take office on April 30th. The Board, after considering the letter, resolved that the meetings of householders to elect new school committees should be held on the last Monday in January, and the nominations for the two members of the Board could take place a month afterwards. It was also ’decided to advertise the new arrangements necessitated by the foregoing letter. CANTERBURY EDUCATIONAL DISTRICT. A letter was read from the Educational Department, Wellington, in reply to a number of questions, forwarded to the Board of Education as follows ; JANUARY SALARIES. The regulations referred to in the Btli section of the Education Act, 1877, would not interfere with the payment of the January salaries to teachers. NORTH CANTERBURY BOARD. The proceedings in and about tire first election of a Board for the new district of North Canterbury would he ordered to he taken by the Board for the district of Canterbury. NORTHERN DISTRICT SCHOOL COMMITTEES, In reply to a question on this subject, the Under-Secretary wrote that two school committees existed in Kaikoura, but the Government wore ignorant regarding Amuri and the Cheviot. APPOINTMENTS OP TEACHERS, The appointments of teachers would be temporary, subject to classification by the Minister. SCHOLARSHIPS. A future communication would bo forwarded on the subject of scholarships to he held at schools under inspection. An early reply would he returned as to payment of existing scholarships. No further notices of examination were to be issued or fresh scholarships granted until the whole question had been considered by the Government. VOCAL MUSIC. If the Board had granted extra payment for teaching vocal music, it could continue such j payment out of the average attendance grant j only. j EDUCATION ACT. The Board should provide copies of the 84th section of the Act to schools for display. New regulations under the Act of last session would ; be issued as speedily as possible. INSURANCE OF SCHOOL BUILDINGS. * A letter was read from the Education Department, in reply, saying the question of insuring school buildings was one that must be left to the discretion of the Education Board, as the cost must come off the average attendance grant. The secretary was directed to advise that the Board cannot pay the cost of insurance out of the £3 15s estimate. CIRCULARS AND REPORTS. The Chairman said circulars had been received from the Under-Secretary, Wellington, to ho forwarded to schoolmasters and committees, showing the form in which returns would be required in future. PRESENT EDUCATION BOARDS, A letter was read from the Education Department, in reply, acknowledging copy of the report of the Board ending 31st March, which suggested that certain proposed regulations contained therein be issued. In reply, it had been determined that all Education Boards should carry on their operations as well as possible as at present for a few weeks longer, incurring no fresh liabilities of any kind that could possibly be avoided until his Excellency shall have issued regulations under the 100th section of the Act of last session applicable to the whole colony. JANUARY EXAMINATIONS. A letter was read from the Education Department in reply, saying the January examinations of teachers could be held, provided the results affected classification only, and did not confer fresh pecuniary claims. NORTH CANTERBURY BOARD, The following telegram was received at the meeting by the chairman from the undersecretary :—“ Order in Council passed that proceedings ro first election of Board of North Canterbury district is to be taken by Board oi Canterbury as promised.” CAST CHRISTCHURCH. Mr Tillman's tender of £265 was accepted for furniture and fencing at the infants’ school, East Christchurch. REPORT. Mr Walker, drill instructor, reported on the condition of a number of schools in the district. AGREEMENTS. The Board authorised the sealing of several agreements with schoolmasters, which had been duly signed. The Board then adjourned.