BOARD OF GOVERNORS.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1340, 31 May 1878, Page 2

BOARD OF GOVERNORS.

The ordinary meeting of the Board of Governors was held yesterday, in the Board room. Present—Mr"W. Montgomery (President), in the chair, and Messrs Tancred, 11. R. Webb, F. de c. Malet, J. D. Enys, Dr. Coward, Jno. Tosswill, C. Fraser, Habens, Hon. J. Hall, W. J. Hamilton, H. P. Lance, R. W. Fereday, E. C. J. Stevens, John Inglis, Dr. Turnbull.'and C. C. Bowen. ACTS AND ORDINANCES. The Chairman said he would take the notices of motion first. Hon. J. Hall said it was very desirable that the Governors should always have tr hand the Acts and Ordinances by which e College is governed in one binding, w«ch should include the prosDectus for the current year. He would move that—" It is -j 61 ™" 1 . 6 a bound copy of the several Acts *?<} Urd |- nances by which the Canterby/ College u established and governed be provided for the use of each governor That the standing orders, list of goverr f ?> an . d be included in the savr)' to^ the ™ lth the prospectus for t« f " enfc J**A .. . Mr Tosswill the resolution, which was agreed to. _„_ p-TE OF HIGH SCHOOL. Mr C 0. Bowen, in moving the motion Jading* "» * e C ° Ueg *

should purchase the site of the Boys High School for College purposes, and that another site should be purchased for the High School "—regretted that at its first discussion he was not a governor. Now that he had been elected as a member of the Board, he should like the discussion, if possible, reopened. He regarded the question greatly as a financial one, and it was a very serious thing to put a great public school upon one acre of ground. The site was inadequate, and it was not a paramount object that it should be absolutely central if it was not too far for a boy to travel to school. There were at present eligible sites which might be obtained. The question of university and secondary education should be disassociated. When a young man entered the University he entered upon a higher class of education than could be obtained at any ordinary school. These remarks equally applied to the Girls' School—a greater necessity existed for the latter being centrally situated than the Boys' School. There were sites to he procured at a reasonable cost. He feared trespassing upon the time of the meeting in re-opening the discussion, but he must plead that he was unable to take part in it previously because he was not a governor. He would like to have the opinion of the Board upon his motion. Mr W. J. Hamilton in seconding the motion, would prefer selecting a site that would, as far as space was concerned, include every requirement. A large school ground especially was a great necessity, and would with its out-door school games and recreations tend to keep those boys in the precincts of the school after school hours, which could not fail to be a great advantage. _ He had attended a large public school in his youth, and could speak personally of the advantage of encouraging the boys' games in connection with the school. He would be happy to second Mr Bowen's resolution, although not prepared to go into the details how it was to be exactly carried out. Hon. John Hall Baid that if a mistake had been made in the site it was not too late to mend it. He understood Mr Bowen's objection was that the site was too limited in size for its requirements. He thought the site should be centrally situated and near the park. Mr Bowen wanted the site of the Boys' High School, which would cost a sum of £2500, but he did not point out where the money was to come from. He thought Mr Bowen should have come down with a tangible proposition as to the choice of a fresh site, its cost, and how the money was to be procured, or else that the whole question should have been remitted to a committee elected to decide upon it. He agreed that it was a pity that the site of the Girls' High School should be near the site of the Boys' High School. Mr Habens pointed out that the site of the Boys' High School did not block the College from further extension.

After some further discussion on the matter, in which the chairman made some suggestions, but spoke against any delay in the selection of the site, Mr 0. 0. Bowen said the last wish in his mind was to let the question drift. If Mr Hall would move an amendment, he (Mr Bowen) would support that they should report within a week, but he was still of opinion that further consideration should be given to the matter. He spoke at considerable length on the question of the site of both the boys' and girls' school, and urged the appointment of a committee to get the question fully considered and reported on. A site for the future was the real question, and the cost could be taken from the funds which have accrued to the Agricultural College without any detriment to it. His anxia.y was to push the question as fast as possible, and if Mr Hall would move an amendment, which would carry out his views, he would be prepared to aupport it. The Chairman said it was not competent to move an amendment. Mr Bowen said if the resolution could be modified to embody his views, he would support it. He would request leave to withdraw the motion standing in his name for the purpose of moving a fresh one. On the question being put by the chairman, permission was given to Mr Bowen to withdraw his motion. Mr Bowen then moved the suspension of the standing orders, with a view of enabling him to move that the question of the site of the boys' and girls' school should be rediscussed. Bev. C. Fraser deprecated any further delay, as there was a great deal of important business to be got through, and they might not have su-jh a large attendance again. On Mr Bowen signifying his willingness, his motion was temporarily withdrawn, and the other business of the Board was proceeded with. The Chairman said the next business was the consideration of a letter from the medical faculty. On the motion of the Eev. C. Fraser, the Board went into committee for its discussion. On the Council resuming, Mr Bowen deaired to know whether they were willing to /suspend the Standing Orders for the purpose of enabling him to move his resolution. The Chairman having tested the feeling of the Council, gave his assent to the suspension of the Standing Orders pro tetn. Mr Bowen then gave notice of motion of the following resolution: —"That a special committee be appointed to consider the advisability of securing for the College the present sites of the Boys' and Girls' Schools, to obtain other sites for those institutions, and to report as to the means available for these purposes. The committee to consist of the chairman, Hon. John Hall, Mr Tancred, Mr Fereday, Mr Tosswill, Eev. C. Fraser, Mr Stevens, Mr Malet, and the mover, to report within ten days." AG-BICULTUBAI COMMITTEE'S BEPOBT. The Council went into committee for the consideration of the report of the agricultural committee, Progress was then reported, and the Board adjourned until 3 p.m. The Board resumed its sitting at 3.30, and went into committee. REPORT Off THE AGRICULTURAL SCHOOL COMMITTEE. 1. This clause, referring to the purchase of land, was discussed in committee. 2. The committee recommend the Board to accept the plans for the Homestead buildings as amended, and the additions thereto at an estimated cost of .£IBOO. 3. The committee recommend the Board to establish in connection with the School of Agriculture, nine scholarships, to be held for three years, and to render the holder free of all charges or fees for board, lodging, and instructions at the farm and College. 4. Three of the above scholarships to he competed for annually, two to be open to boys between fourteen and sixteen years of age, who shall have attended any school in receipt of State aid in New Zealand not less than one year; and one to six open to boys between the above ages who shall have attended any private schools in New Zealand for the same period, 5. The scholarships to commence on the Ist July, 1879, and the examination for the same to held in accordance with the regulations to be framed by the Agricultural Schoal Committee, and sanctioned by the Board. 6. Also, that the Board be further recommended to establish three temporary scholarships to bo held for one year, and three temporary scholarships to be held for two years, such scholarships to be of the same value and subject to the same conditions as the temporary scholarships. The Chairman said that the question was whether certain additions should be made to the original building. There was no laboratory, and the architect was instructed to prepare a plan which would include a laboratory of a suitable size, and a proper room for students to study in of an evening. Eev. C. Fraser was of opinion that one convenient sized room, under the superintendence of one individual, would be preferable to a number of smaller ones. Mr Stevens agreed that if the object was evening preparation for young men studying, the adoption of one room, under the supervision of a superintendent, was preferable, but it would not apply to juvenile pupils. He should advocate the "study " system on the principle of one room lor evening preparation. Dr. Turnbullsaid he conceived the object was to educate lads in agricultural chemistry ; it would be at least two-years before the scholar came to that study, and he (Dr. Turnbull) could not sanction the cost that it would entail while they had already a laboratory in the College that had cost £IO,OOO.

Was that to be thrown aside for a costly place for the purpose of making half a dozen analyses of half a dozen soils. Mr Tosswill spoke in favor of the establishment of an inexpensive laboratory in connection with the farm rather than entail on the pupils the cost and trouble of coming into Christchurch to prosecute their studies. At the request of the Chairman, Mr Ivey, director of the Agricultural College, explained his system of tuition, showing the relation of chemistry to the practical objects contemplated by the establishment of the farm. He thought the teaching of agricultural chemistry was practical work he should desire to have in his own hands, and did not see why Professor Bickerton need come out to the farm. He thought that the cost of a laboratory at the farm would be a small item. He considered, with reference to the age of the youths who wished to study at the farm, that they should study in rooms built to hold two or three pupils. Congregating more than say three in one room afforded facilities for the pupils to neglect their studies through the possible bad example that might be set by one idle pupil. In answer to the Rev. C. Fraser, Mr Ivey said the rough cost of fitting up a laboratory with proper apparatus, which would not require renewal for twelve months, would be about £2OO. Of course that would not include gas or fittings, water piping or benches. In reply to Mr Hamilton, Mr Ivey stated the age of pupils attending Agricultural Colleges, of which he had had experience, was limited to sixteen years, but personally he would prefer it to be limited to boys of fifteen. He had a prejudice against the reception of out-students as a principle, but he did not see how that could be avoided. In answer to a question from Mr Stevens, Mr Ivey said his objection to the admission of outdoor students was on account of their being less under control than resident pupils. Mr Bowen said after hearing Mr Ivey explain his system he was afraid that there was a tendency to reduplicating the laboratory they had already in Christchurch, which would entail great, and in his opinion, unnecessary expense. Professor Bickerton already gave instruction in chemistry at the College, and he could not see that additional expense should be incurred in a reduplication of the Christchurch Laboratory. Rev. C. Fraser spoke in favor of a postponement of the question. Mr Tosswill deprecated any procrastination. The apparatus at the farm would not be expensive, and as far as the studontß were concerned it would be cheaper for them to prosecute their studies at the farm than bring them to Christchurch.

Mr Hamilton was in favor of eitablishing a laboratory on the farm on economical grounds, as well as from the recommendation of the agricultural committee, and that of Mr Ivey, who had been specially imported as Director of the Agricultural College, and was doubtless thoroughly conversant with the working of such institutions. '• Eev. 0. Fraser moved the adoption of clause 2 of the report, with the expenditure on the whole additions to the buildings limited to £llOO. Mr Bowen would vote for the additional rooms recommended in the report, but objected to the establishment of a second laboratory. Eev. C. Fraser's amendment wai then put and lost.

The Chairman then put the original resolution as to the adopting of clause 2 of the report, which was declared to be carried.

SCHOLARSHIPS. Mr Tosswill said the time had come when the agricultural committee had recommended the establishment of scholarships in connection with the Agricultural College, and proceeded to quote from the report the most noteworthy features of the scheme. He spoke strongly in favor of two-thirds of the scholarships being limited to scholars attending schools receiving State aid. This would be an inducement to parents to send children to the Government schools, and the aim of ,the council should be to attract as many clever boys to the Agricultural School as possible to be trained up as farmers. These scholarships were instituted in the hope of their being an incentive to boys to attend the Agricultural College. Mr Bowen thought the matter required far greater consideration than could be given to it at present. He thought that scholarships and prizes were being somewhat overdone, at the expense of the teaching power. He would suggest that progress be reported, with a view of enabling greater consideration to be given to the subject. Rev. C. Fraser would affirm the principle of establishing the scholarships, but was in favor of progress being reported as far as concerned the details. Dr. Turnbull objected to giving annually away such a sum as £630 for the maintenance of nine scholars at the Agricultural College as being altogether premature and unnecessary. He would oppose the scholarships altogether. The question was put, whether progress should be reported, and was declared to bo carried. Mr Tosswill moved—" That the consideration of the clauses in the report respecting the scholarships should be postponed until the next meeting of the Board." Mr Malet seconded the resolution, which was agreed to. CANTERBURY COLLEGE REPORT. The committee recommended the Board to establish in connection with the Girls' High School five open exhibitions of the value of .£2O each, tenable for one year, the exhibitions to be given as follows :—One to girls under twelve; two to girls under thirteen; two to girk over thirteen. The successful candidates to enter their names upon the books of, and to attend regularly the course of instruction given at the Girls' High School during the year for which the exhibition is held. That the committee be requested to consider and suggest to the Board for its approval the subjects for examination in each class, the time when and the persons by whom the examination will be conducted. Mr Malet moved, and Mr Tosswill seconded, the adoption of the report. Mr Bowen spoke against the resolution. He deprecated the establishment of additional exhibitions and scholarships, and considered if there were funds to be expended, it would be better to devote them to the lowering of school fees, which would tend to draw more scholars to the schools. He thought it better to devote all their energies to the advancement of the general body of scholars, rather than to the development or forcing of extra cleyer children by means of scholarships or exhibitions. Eev. C. Fraser strongly endorsed Mr Bowen's opinions, in which to a limited extent he was followed by Mr Hamilton. The Chairman, from his long educational experience, thought the scholarships had done an immense amount of good. Many young men now occupied positions who never could have done so had it not been for the scholarships. They were most valuable incentives to exertion, and he, whatever value might be attached to his opinion, felt that he must give his testimony diametrically opposed to the opinion of Mr Bowen. The remaining clauses of the report were adopted, with the addition of the words "to reconsider the age at which scholars should be allowed to compete." The question of the College extension was then considered, and, a?ter some discussion, the Board adjourned at half-past six.