EDUCATION BOARD.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2344, 7 October 1881, Page 3

EDUCATION BOARD.

An ordinary meeting of the North Canterbury Board of Education was held yesterday afternoon at three o'clock. Present—Messrs John Inglis (in the chair), W. Montgomery, H. W. Peryman, George Booth, A. H. Cunningham, and the Rev. O. Fraser.—The Chairman reported the business that he had transacted since the last meeting, which was approved.—The Rev 0. Fraser wished, before the ordinary business waa proceeded with, to call attention to several misunderstandings that had arisen respecting school examinations and complaints made about inspectors, which he thought might be obviated in future if the parents and members of the School Committees attended. He would not move any resolution, but ask the reporters to make it known that school examinations are open to the public. Mr Montgomery thought immense service would be rendered to the cause of education if the parents attended. Mr Cunningham concurred, and did not think the teachers would object to the parents attending. He was quite sure the complaints were groundless. Mr Peryman pointed out that members of the committee had attended at Amberley school examinations. In his district the parents were present, and it was stated their talking hindered the examinations. The matter then dropped.— The inspector's reports on several schools were laid on the table and ordered to be forwarded to the various school committees interested.—Mr Chichester, recently removed from the Upper Hinds school, wrote asking the Board to sanction his appointment to another sohool. The request was deolined at present.—The reply of a teacher to various charges made against him, a copy of whioh had been forwarded to the Minister, was next read, but it was decided to wait for information from Wellington on the matter.—A teacher who had received three months' notice in consequence of the inspector's report, wrote asking to be heard in defence. It was decided to reply that the Board had considered the question, and did not see the necessity for a personal interview, but would consider any written justification.—Mr Peryman oalled attention to the low average from certain schools, for which extenuating circumstances were stated.—The Rev C. Fraser mentioned that in one sohool of twenty-eight children only six were presented for examination. He thought such cases should be referred to the school committees for explanation. He felt sure that so few being presented arose through irregular attendance, and he thought these small schools should bo put in the position of aided schools.— Mr Peryman thought the smaller the school, the greater should be the profioiency. The chairman promised to go into the matter with the secretary, and see what should be done in such cases.—A letter from the West Christoh»rch School Committee, calling attention to certain resolutions respecting religious teaching in schools, passed at its recent meeting, was deferred for future consideration,— The Tjyttelton School Committee applied for a further sum of £6 for filling up certain low lying portions of the school grounds. The matter was referred to Mr G-. Booth to make inquiries.—Tenders for sohool bnildings and fenoing at Wukanui were then opaned, and that of Mr Brown for the sum of £328 10a buildings, and fencing at 40s per chain, w»b accepted.—The liakeside Library Committee applied for permission to remove a small building they had purchased, and erect it on t]»e school ground. After discussion the matter was refeired to the Lakeside School Committee to report upon.—The Sydenham School Committee applied that swimming baths be ereoted in its Bchool ground, also, that the Board effect an insurance of £SOOO on the school buildings. The Board replied that the first request could not bo entertained, and although the second was desirable, it could not be acceded to.— Tho arohitect reported on certain repairs necessary to the roof of the master's house, Sydenham, stating that the original sum voted was insufficient. Messrs Booth and Peryman were appointed to report on tho matter. —An application for a brick well at West Melton Bchool was next considered, when it was suggested that probably the water from the Malvern wa,ter raoe could be utilised, as the springs were too high at the present time to allow of sufficient depth being sunk to prevent its drying up in summer. The matter was deferred for further information.