EDUCATION CONFERENCE.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1909, 7 April 1880, Page 3

EDUCATION CONFERENCE.

In response to a circular issued by tho East Christchurch School Committee, a conference of the chairmen of the various School Committees in the North Canterbury Education District was held at the Gloucester street School yesterday, commencing at 11 o'clock a.m. There were present—Messrs. Georgo Booth, Christchurch West; W. 0. Fendall, Balcairn ; L. 0. Williams, North Kowai; J. A. Cunningham, North Lobarn ;J. i aylor, Y.-.ldhurst; ! hog. H. Anson, Courtenay ; Archibald McNae, Courtenay ; Rev. T. Flayell, St. Albans; frank Croft, Ashley Bank; Chas. McCtai laud. Kimberley; Chas. Dudding, View Hill; John Whyte, Christchurch

i'ust; I? McßerwStewirt, Ashburton ; J. H. B. MeKtnzie, Oxford West; A. H. Cunningham, Rangicra; James Brown, Selwyn; W. ttoberts, Leithfiehi; William Anderson. Stoke; Edward Earle, Killinchy; Henry Overton,

Irwell; John Barnett, Leenton; Robert Marshall Cresswell, P.ipanui; K. Guthrie, North Road; 0. L. Davies, Prebbleton; J. Gammack, Sptingston; H '</. Peryman, Tai Tapu ; J.J. Herrick, Lincoln; John Rutledge, Russell's Flat; Thomas Bell Howson, Cust; Edward Bevell, Kaiapoi ; Henry John Tancred, West Obrisicbu ch ; M. Henderson, Christchurch East ; Rev. H. 0. M. Watson, East Christchurch ; F. J. Kinibell, Ricearton, 0. A. Cunningham, Lobnrn.

The Kev H. C. M. Watson was elected to the position of chairman, and read the circular letter calling the meeti/ig. That letter explained the objects for which the conference had been called, and all the letters received in reply from the sohoo. committees agreed as to the necessity of making some amendments in the Kducation Act. Tho chairman then d 'tailed those portions of the Act which, in his opinion required amendment. Mr Matthew Henderson was appointed secretary to the confer nco. As to the mode of proceeding, it was resolved to discuss the clauses in thu order they were referred to

Regarding tho election of Echool committees, which was the first point referred to, Mr E. Revell remarked that the present time (»' *., January) was unsuitable for those in country districts. He moved—" That in the opinion of this conference the annual elections of school committees should be in the month of November." Seconded by Mr E. Earle. Some discussion ensued, and an amendment was proposed to the tff-ct that the elections should take place on the first Monday in January. Ultimately it was resolved that the annual meetings should be held in the month of April instead of January. Tho Chairman said the next question was the definition of the word " householder," in vie>v of the possibility of persons voting who were not entitled to at the annual meeting. Dr. Stewart moved—" That the word 'householder ' stand as. originally printed. There being no resolution to the contrary, the section was passed without amendment. Section 3 of clause 64 was ihe next considered, dealing with tho duration of office. Mr T B. Howson moved—" That the committee be elected for two years, and that onehalf the committee shall retire each year. Mr H. W Peryman seconded the motion. Mr Farr moved as an amendment—" That the Act be allowed to stand as it is." Seconded by the Rev. Mr Flavell.

Mr. Eevell expressed tha opinion that the conference shond be cartful not to interfere with the *ct in any of its material provisions. There wer-i differences of opinion on the matter of state education ; there were a large body of secularists who h Id decided opinions, and our Koman Catholii- fellow colonists had their particular viewd on the subject, upon which they felt very strongly. He thought therefore that they should be careful t:> tinker with tho material provisions of the Act as little as possible.

After some further discussion, the amendment was carried by a majority, that the clause stand as printed. On clause 65, aa to cumulative voting, Mr Farr moved, " That all the words after 'to be elected, 1 be omitted " Several members of the conference spoke on this question, opinions differing as to the desirability of cumulative voting. Mr Peryman proposed an amendment that cumulative Toting be abolished. Seconded by Mr Howson.

Mr Eevell remarked on the necessity of minorities bei"g represented, and therefore approved of cumulative voting, as providing for such representation.

Mr Flavell endorsed the last speaker's rait arks.

Dr. Stewart spoke on the other side of the question, contending that the working of this clause did not fairly represent the householders. Mr Fendall's experience had been that cumulative voting was excessively mischievous, and he knew that at the last elections great importance was attached to a question repeatedly put to candidates as to whether if elected they would use their influence to secure the abolition of that practice at elections of school committees. Mr Howson mentioned an instance within his experience whsre on!y three persons voted for an individual, and yet he was able to get up and thank the meeting for the " proud position they had placed him in." A fter further discussion, the amendment was put—" That cumulative voting be abolished," which was carried by twenty-four to twelve. Mr Karle moved —" That in the opinion of the conference the Act should bo so altered so as to provide that any member of the school committee being absent from three meetings in su"cession of such committee shall be deemed to have vacated his seat." Dr. Stewart suggested that clause 21, as to " disqualification of members," in reference to the education Bjard, be made to apply to the school committees. A discussion ensued, but Mr Ea'.le's motion was ultimately carried. The conference then proceeded to the conf of clause 13, as to the constitution of Boards. An objection to the outgoing committee nominating members for the Board of i'ducation abd the incoming committee voting on that question was considered (see clause 13), but it was pointed out that by the former resolution altering date of election of school committees from January to April the difficulty would be met. Clause 45, relating to the appointment and remova l of teachers, was next considered. Mr Eevell moved —" That the school committee of each district shall appoint the teachers subject to the approval of* the Board." The motion was not seconded. Mr Peryman moved —" That clause 45 stand as printed." The Bev. T. Flavell seconded the motion, which was unanimously carried. Clause 80 —The Echool fund —Of what it consist n. Mr Whyte moved —" That the amount allowed by the Government for incidental expenses is, in the opinion of this meeting, insufficient." Seconded by Mr Bevell, and carried nem. can. The next point considered was (clause 81) instruction in schools with particular reference to history and Bib;e reading as such. The Chairman said this was not a matter for amendment; it was rather one of interpretation ; opinions differing as to whether the historical books of the Bible were included in the curriculum of the school.

la reply to Mr Revell, Mr Tailored said these books were included in the school examination papers. The Chairman said the Bible was the oldest and one of the most interesting of the histories of the world. Of course it had another value, and one which many of us valued in a much higher way. A member of the conference said he had coma there pledged to support the reading of the Bible in schools. Proposed by Mr Farr —"That in the opinion of this meeting the historical books of the Bible are included in the term history in section 1, clause Hi of tho Education Act." Mr Cunninghajn seconded the motion. Some discussion ensued, daring which the original motion was withdrawn. X)r. Stewart thin moved—" That, in the opinion of this meeting, tho Bible should be road without comment during school hours. ! Bat no child shall be compelled to be present at the reading of the Bible whose parents or guardians object." Mr Kevell seconded. Several speakers for and against followed. Th-j motion was then put and carried by twentyseven votes to five. This concluded the business mentioned in the circular, and it was resolved to send the resolution agr-ed upon *o the education Board to be forwarded to the Government. Mr H. W. Peryman moved and Mr Cre33well seconded —"Tint the number of holidays during tho year he dunin d by the Board of Eduction, and that the allotment of such holidays be determined by thy committee." Carried. Mr E. lievoll proposed and Mr Cresswell seconded—" That it is inexpndisnt that any member of a school committee should be a member of tho Bo rd of Kdacation at tho same timo " The resolution was lost. Mr Pevel: proposed and Mr TJudding seconded —" That in the opinion oi this meeting bonuses should bn granted to teachers who Bhall have served live years in one school." This motion was negatived. I Mr o'unniDgiaimproposed and Mr J. B. How'aon seconded—" That in tho opinion of this

meeting it is highly desirable chat the constitution of the Beards of education should be so far altered as that the members thereof should be representatives of localities, and to that end it is desirable that for the purpose of returning members to the Board the country should be divided into electoral districts, coequal perhaps with tho electoral districts of the Crown, and that each electoral district so constituted be entitled to return a proportionate number of membr-rs." Carried unanimously.

Mr J. B. Howssn proposed, and Mr H. W. Peryman seconded—" That in the opinion of this meeting tho Board of Education should appoint a general auditor to audit the whole of the accounts." The resolution was lost.

Mr E. Bevell proposed, and Mr Fendall seconded—" That in the opiaio 1 of this meeting the compulsory clauses of the net should be a permauont obligation, and not be left to the committee to enforce." Carried. Mr B. M. Cresswoll moved, and Mr J. A. Cunningham seconded—" That a copy of the foregoing resolutions be sent to tho Board of Education, with a request that they will forward it to the Minister for Education." Carried unanimously. Mr H. W. Peryman proposed, and Mr L. M. Cresswell seconded--" That a hearty vote of thanks be given to the chairman and secretary of this meeting and to the members of the East Christchurch School Committee for proposing the conference." Carried. The conference then rose.