BOARD OF EDUCATION.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2443, 3 February 1882, Page 3

BOARD OF EDUCATION.

The ordinary meeting of the North Canterbury Beard of Education was held yesterday afternoon at three o'clock. Present —Mr John Inglis (chairman), Messrs Cunningham, Peryman, Booth, Montgomery, and Webb. The Chairman’s report of the business transacted since last meeting was read and approyed. It was agreed that the date of the next annual election of the Board, which must take place before the 15th March, should be fixed at the ordinary meeting of_tho Board on the 2nd March. The Chairman read a return showing the number of meetings of the Board during the past year, and the attendance of the different members. A letter was read from Mr Barker, chairman of the Little Akaloa school committee, in reference to the recent election of the committee. He stated that, owing to the disgraceful manner in which the business of the meeting was obstructed by persons attending in an unfit state, only six members were elected. He asked that the election might be declared bad, and a commissioner appointed with a view to a new election. — Letters from other persons concerned in the proceedings were read, including one from five members of the school committee for 1881, protesting against the proceedings of Mr Barker, who, they said, had not had the confidence of the committee for a considerable time, and who had taken possession of the books, correspondence, and vouchers. It was resolved —“ That the proceedings at the election should be annulled, and that a meeting of the householders be held at Little Akaloa on the 13fch inst., at eight o’clock, to conduct a fresh election.” The inspector’s report on the Orphan Asylum was read and ordered to be forwarded to the Government, The inspector’s report on the Kaiapoi school was also received. Correspondence relating to the Bingsland, Bast Oxford, Tinwald, Sumner, Papanui, and Doyloston schools was read and dealt with. It was decided, on the suggestion of the chairman, to defer calling for a number of tenders for necessary repairs until the labor market was more favorable, several largo buildings at present in progress having caused a temporary rise in wages. Mr Webb wished to bring under the notice of the Board a matter in connection with the forthcoming Exhibition. There was to be a special class for boys and girls under seventeen years of age, the exhibits to be bona fide their work and to comprise : Girls—Needlework (plain and fancy), embroidery, crewel work, &o ; boys cabinet work, models, mechanical contrivances. Both—Wood carving, fretwork, collection of birds mounted, collection of shells. He thought some intimation of this class should be sent to the various schools under the Board, so that the children throughout the district might have an opportunity of competing if they chose to do so. He would suggest also that the Board should give some pecuniary assistance in the matter. The promoters could not find the space without being paid for it. One or two memb'rs of the Exhibition committee were endeavoring to raise subscriptions to pay for the bays, and ho thought it would be a legitimate expenditure if the Board gave something, so that the children should not bo asked to pay for their exhibits. A bay 15ft by 12ft cost £3, and there would be in addition the cost of printing and of fittings. The promoters of course would give the prizes. He thought the Board might assist to the extent of taking one bay.—The Chairman said the class appeared to be open to all boys and girls. —Mr Webb said of course that was so, and it was a question whether the Boards in other parts ot the colony should not also contribute ; but it would take long to refer the matter to Wellington, and there would probably not be very many exhibits in this class from other parts of the colony. The object was a very good one. The children’s exhibitions which had been held recently in Australia had had a remarkably good effect in improving the children, by cultivating their taste and instructing them in art.—After some discussion it was resolved, on the motion of Mr Cunningham, seconded by Mr Poryman—“ That the sum of £lO be granted for the purpose —£5 for a bay and £5 for printing and other expenses ; the money to be devoted to a class specially for children belonging to the schools under the Board.” After disposing of some other business of an unimportant nature the Board went into committee, and on resuming adjourned.