BOARD OF EDUCATION.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1610, 18 April 1879, Page 4

BOARD OF EDUCATION.

Thtjbsday, Apbil 17. The usual meeting of the Board of Education for North Canterbury was held at three o'clock at the Normal School. Present—Messrs W. Montgomery (in the chair), A. Saunders, 0. Fraser, E. C. J. Stevens, A. Duncan, 0. C. Bowen, H. J. Tancred, and H. R Webb. BUSINESS DONE BT THE OHAIBMAN. The business done by the chairman Bince the last meeting was approved. SCHOOL LIBBABIE9. The chairman Btated that the Board had apportioned the money granted by the Government among the various school libraries, but it had not yet been distributed. Th» secretary stated that, in consequence of some mistake on the pvrt of one of the libraries he had been compelled to communicate with the Government. The mistake had now however been rectified, and the money would be paid over to the various libraries in a few days. BEPOBTfI. The report of the Inspector on the Lower Heathoote school was laid upon the table. The report of Mr Restall on the examination of pupil teachers was likewise laid upon the table, as well as one of the »ame gentle • man on twenty-four schools, containing 6063 scholars. The report of the drill] instructor was also laid upon the table. pupil tbachbes. The report on the pupil teachers' examination was read, together with tables and correspondence annexed, as follows : Education Office, Christchurch, April 16th, 1879. J. Ingli3, Esq., Chairman North Canterbury Board. Sir,—We have the honor to report on the examination of pupil teachers and candidates, held at the Normal School, on the 18th, 19th, 20th, and 2lßt of March, 1879. Of ninety-five names received only three failed to appear, viz , Edgar Andrews, Southbridge, resigned; Annie King, Colombo road, and Harriet Smith, of the Normal School, both of whom were absent on account of illness. Of the foregoing number, seventy-six pupil teachers and three candidates passed; the failures were two out of seventeen for the end of the fourth year, two out of twenty-one for the end of the third year, one out of tvcelve for the end of the second, seven out of thirty-eight for the end of the first year, and one out of the four candidates. The new regulations, obviating the examining of candidate* who had already passed the fifth standard, thus reduced the number of them, and saved much unnecessary labor. It is sati-faotory to observe that, although there is still much room for improvement, and that while the pupil teacher system is a comparatively new institution in Canterbury and New Zealand—one that has not arrived at its full efficiency yet—th it a comparison of the work and results of this and former years, shows a much more earnest interest taken by the pupil teachers in their stndie3, and by their teachers in their instruction. One matter, however, appears to call for especial notice, it is that several pupil teachers appear to have neyleoted their arithmetic, in order to attempt some acquaintance with Algebra and Euclid. In addition to the usual tabular statements of marks, a sehedule is annexed, stating the subjects in which certain candidates who have not absolutely failed, have, however, shown a very marked deficiency. We respectfully suggest that their attention be called to these subjects. Mrs Patterson'-* report on the needlework of the female candidates is annexed. It appears from this report that this important branch of instruction does not receive sufficient attention. Wo desire to recognise the efficient help render d by Mr J. R. Thornton, of the Normal School, throughout the whole (of the examination. We have the honor to be, Sir, Your obedient servants, J. P. Eestell, W. L. Edghi, M.A., Inspectors of Schools. [The tables attached to this report appear in another part of this issue.] Christchurch, 31st March. 1879. J. Inglis, Esq., Chairman, Board of Education, Christchurch. Sir, —I have the honor to forward you the list of marks for the recent sewing examination of pupil teachers. Only a small number did knitting, owing probably to their not having been taught. _ As a rule the needlework was indifferently done, most of the specimens being very poor. The fixing was sadly deficient, this is to be regretted, as pupil teachers have to fix work for the children, and to teach fixing. In cutting out, the articles generally were made too small or out of proportion. I remain, Sir, Yours truly, A. M. Patterson. Pupil Teachers' Examination, 1879. — Needlework Marks. Maximum No. of marks, 150. Emma Crump 119, Lillie Crump 117, Margaret Young 113, Maud Leach 112, Henrietta Kelly 110, Alfreda Eadcliffe 110, Rachel Dutton 110. Alice Henderson 103. Janet Currio 102, Emily E. Jenkins 100, Martha J. Blyth 98, M.nnie Cole 96, Florence Blake 96, A. Hunt 96, Frances E. Bartram 94, Annie Barker 93, Christina Henderson 92, Margaret Milsom 87, Margaret Blyth 85, Alice Wilcox 83, Cecilia Harvey 83, Mary Veysey 81, Caroline Jones 81, Alice Williams 80, Eliza M. Sealey 79, Mary S. Alexander 78, Mary L. Spence 77, Helen Hurrell 75, Ada Pike 74, Martha Dynes 74, Marion Allison 73, Jane McKay 71, Selina Norton 70, Emily Sadler 69, Annie W. Spence 69, Isabella Bruce 68, Ada Seager 67, Sarah Robinson 66, Beatrice Harband 64, Eleanor Edwards 64, Mary E. McKee 62, Mary Elmsley 61, Kate Woodford 56, Mary Wells 54, ADnie Digby 52, Mary Duncan 52, Mary Waby 50, Kate McDonnell 49, Agnea Seay 47, Charlotte Baker 47, Ada Hodgson 46, Emily Howard 45, Annie Keand 42, Margaret A. Clarke 41, E. Fielder 40, Jane Eastwood 37, E. A. McHarg 37, Annie Finney 37, Lucy Fawcett 37, Elizabeth Gardener 35, Elizabeth Elwin 34, Emma Leo .''4, Elizabeth Kissell 31, Amy Taylor 31, Annie Carr 27. I have also made out detailed lists of marks, which I think it will not be necessary to send in. The marks for needlework, cutting out, and knitting have been all added together, and the marks entered on the list as for needlework. At this stage |of the meeting Mr John Inglis entered the room and took the chair. BIOOARTON SOHOOIi. The chairman reported that the Board had, in committee, reiolved to give Mr Wilson, of the Riccarton school, three months notice. COBBING. The chairman also reported that the Rev. 0. Fraser and the secretary had been appointed a committee, to proceed to Southbridge and hold an inquiry at that plaoe into the alleged cases of " cobbing " referred to in committee. APPOINTMKNTS. He alßo reported the following appointments at the Normal School:—The appointment of head master deferred; Misß Kelly appointed third mistress; Miss A. Foster and Miss F. Williams teachers in the Kindergarten School. ST. ALBANS. The chairman stated that the St. Albans committee had sent in a claim for unauthorised expenditure, A reply had been returned that the Board could not recognise the claim. BETIBING allowance. Mr James Thompson, master of the Southbrook school, wrote to the Board asking for a retiring allowance, on the ground that he would have to give up his professional duties after carrying them on for many years, through illness. The letter enclosed a medioal ertiflcate. It was resolved to forward the application to the Minister for Education. A similar letter was received from Mr Oox. of South Rakaia. Mr Stevens would be inclined to write to the Minister for Education, asking him to point out what clbbb of cases would meet with the favorable consideration of the Government, as it was no use continually sending up applications in the dark as they were doing now. Other members of the Board expressed a similar opinion. Mr Stevens moved—" That the Minister of Education be written to, enquiring whether there are any regulations affecting the granting of retiring allowances to teachers, bo that the Board may have some guide as to sending forward applications for the consideration of the Minister. Also that the Minister be psked to nay whether the Government con*

template the establishment of a teachers' pension fund." The motion was agreed to. DEIli INSTETJCTOR. The report of the drill instructor was "read. It detailed the class of work on which he was engaged, with special reference to certain schools. TBNDEBS. Several tenders wore opened and considered, after which the Board adjourned.