BOARD OF EDUCATION.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1251, 22 March 1878, Page 3

BOARD OF EDUCATION.

The Board of the Education district of Canterbury held an ordinary meeting in their Board room yesterday afternoon. Present— Mr J. Inglis (chairman) and Messrs A. Duncan, H. R. Webb, and W. Rolleston. After the minutes of the last meeting had been read and confirmed, the following business was transacted : GRANTS, APPOINTMENTS, ETC. The Chairman reported grants, appointments, and expenditure authorised since last meeting. Approved. CORRESPONDENCE. Letters were read from the Government, staling that at present the Government would not, for some time, make any classification, and that no additional class-books would be sanctioned just now. The Bible is not to be used as a class-book. The Board resolved to take no action. The individual opinion of the members was against the Bible being road in the schools as at present carried on. SCHOOL SITES. A letter was read from Government, authorising (he Board to sell the old school sites at Oust, Ashley Bank, and Irwell. BLIND AND DEAP MUTES. A memorandum from the-Minister of Education informed the Board that Government did not contemplate making provision for the education of the blind and of deaf mutes. If the necessity for having such an institution in this colony should arise, the Government are of opinion that it should bo established on the voluntary principle, when it would have a good claim to subsidy from tho consolidated revenue. In one or two cases of infirmity of this character, where the parents of the children have been in poor circumstances, the Government have arranged to defray a portion of the cost of maintenance injthe institution at Melbourne. That institution, however, only receives inmates of perfectly sound mind. Mr Rolleston said tho reply was substantially the same as had been given on a previous occasion to him, when acting as Superintendent of the provmce. He did not think the Government were fully aware of the pressing necessity there was for such an institution, and he thought that the colony was not doing right in shifting the responsibility in respect of this class of children, and placing it on other colonies. The number was not inconsiderable, as was shown by statistics, hut even if it were, the Government were bound to make provision for these cases in an institutihn belonging to the people of the colony, aud under its own control. He was aware, from conference with parents, that they would not agree to send their children away into another colony. It might be said to be a matter of sentiment, but the sentiment was so strong that if there were no local institutions a number of children would grow up uneducated, and without tho influences which it was well known were especially necessary in cases of the deaf and dumb. It would be easy to establish such an institution in connection with some existing institution. They might, for instance, take a portion of the largo extent of reserves made at Burnham. A part of the staff engaged in teaching trades, &c., might be utilised in connection with both institutions. Ho felt very strongly that the course wo wore taking was not worthy of ua as a people ; at any rate we ought to make a beginning if it were only on a small scale. The Board resolved that the Government should be asked to reconsider their decision with regard to the establishment of an institution for the blind and for deaf mutes, on the ground that it is within the knowledge of the Board that the number of such afflicted is considerable, and the parents of the same are not willing to allow their children to leave the colony. SCHOOL DESIGNS. A letter from Mr Ballance requesting copies of plans and specifications of schools now in existence in the district was read. It was resolved to ask the Board’s architect to select some half-dozen of the best designs for tho purpose named. KOWAI NORTH. A deputation of residents in Kowai North waited upon the Board to ask that tho side school there might be taught by a master, instead of by a mistress, tho ago of the children, in their opinion, justifying the request. The Chairman promised in the name of the Board to endeavor to meet the views of the deputation if it could be done. The deputation then withdrew. The Board subsequently resolved to grant an assistant master at £IOO a year, who should have the teacher’s house as soon as the Amb.erley school is opened. ST. ALBANS. The secretary read a report on the St, pcbool Ibe Board resolved to pup *

port the recommendation of Mr Restell as to the division of classes. QUALIFICATIONS OF TEACHERS. An unofficial document from Mr Howard was read. It detailed the qualifications which he considered it desirable that teachers should possess, JUNIOE MASTERSHIP AT NORMAL SCHOOL. A number of applications were read from candidates for the junior mastership in the training department of the Normal school. They were all accompanied by highly eulogistic testimonials. After considerable discussion the number eligible was reduced to two, and finally Mr Newton was appointed to the position. The salary was decided at £2OO a year, with £SO allowance for rent, and a bonus for classification. ANNUAL REPORT. The draft of the annual report was then taken into consideration. It was very voluminous, and occupied the attention of those present for a considerable time. After the transaction of a large amount of routine business, the Board adjourned.