BOARD OF EDUCATION.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2191, 4 March 1881, Page 3

BOARD OF EDUCATION.

The Education Board for tho district of North Canterbury met yesterday afternoon at three o’clock. There were present—Mr Inglis (in the obair), Mr Cunningham, Mr Montgomery, Mr E. O. J. Stevens. The business transacted by the chairman since last meeting was reported, and by the Board approved.

An application from the Kev. O. Fraser for leave of absence was granted.

A report re the Orphan Asylum at Lyttelton, by Mr Restell, was read, and it was resolved to send a copy thereof to the Government.

The Chairman laid before the Board the result of the recent election of members bj the different school committees.

The Chairman remarked that in declaring the recult of the election a difficulty arose, Mr Peryman having been elected for both the extraordinary vacancy and one of the ordinary vacancies. The question was, how they were to proceed, it appearing evident that there would have to be a fresh election in any case. He suggested that the Board should declare the three first on the poll elected members for the ordinary vacancies. Mr Stevens submitted that Mr Peryman should be asked for which vacancy he elected to stand. Upon their decision now depended whether in the course of a certain comparatively short period there should be a fresh election for an extraordinary or an ordinary vacancy. Some discussion took place, and eventually it was resolved to declare the three first on the poll elected for the ordinary vacancies, as follows : John Inglis ... ... ... 79 Henry William Peryman ... 57 Eev. Charles Fraser 51

The Board then decided to declare Mr Perjman returned for the extraordinary vacancy, he having beaded the poll in that election, and in the meantime he would bo written to asking him which position ho elected to fill. The question of a fresh election could thereafter bo determined.

Fr m a letter by the secretary of the Kaikoura Committee, it appeared that certain irregularities had taken place, and the Board decided that there should be a fresh election.

Some matters of a routine character—involving the consideration of teachers’ salaries, &c. —were disposed of. A letter was read from Professor Biokerton, with regard to the introduction of science into the examination for scholarships, suggesting that the questions should be made of such a character as to admit of a pupil obtaining full marks, and proposing a scheme for examination paper. The Board decided to introduce science into the next scholarship examination, but that failure ;to got the ordinary 25 per cent, in marks should not disqualify candidates, as in the other subjects. A letter was read from Mr Bestell, Inspector, applying for leave of absence, commencing from May next, and stating that_ if hie request were granted it would afford him an opportunity of witnessing the method of school inspection in Australia. He pointed out that ho had not had a holiday during twenty-three years’ service. He asked the Board to recommend his case to the Department, with a view to his obtaining his expenses. The Board agreed to allow three months’ leave of absence, but could not grant the last request. This concluded the business, with the exception of a matter of salaries, taken in committee.