BOARD OF EDUCATION.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2543, 2 June 1882, Page 3

BOARD OF EDUCATION.

An ordinary meeting of this body was held at its offices, Normal School buildings, at 3 p.m, yesterday, Present—Messrs J. Inglis (chairman). J. A. Cunningham, H. W. Peryman, Geo. Booth, H. J. Tanored, Bev. C. Fraser, Messrs 8. O. Farr, H. B. Webb. The business transacted by the chairman since the last meeting of the Board was submitted and approved. Leave of absence was granted to Mr W. Montgomery during the Parliamentary session.

The chairman reported that Mr J. O. Veel, the secretary to the Board, was too unwell to attend to his duties, and he would ask that leave of absence be granted to that gentleman for a month. In the meantime, Mr Wallace would act as secretary, and he would ask that Mr Wallace be authorized to countersign cheques. The requisite permission was unanimously granted. Mr Gumming wrote, stating that as he was now freed from school duties, he was at the service of the Board as Inspector of Schools. A letter from the Balcairn school committee, as to whether the schoolroom could bo used for a dancing class, was then read. An answer was ordered to be sent that the consent or otherwise rested with the school committee, but in the Board’s opinion, it is very undesirable to let it for such a purpose, os damage might result to the school furniture, &o. A letter was next read from Annat, asking that the Board would reconsider its decision against creating a new district, as at least forty children, mostly of tender years, could not possibly attend the present school. The Chairman thought the result would be two weak schools, but perhaps a side school might bo established.

At this stage Mr Barr and another resident of Aunat waited upon the Board as a deputation in the matter. Mr Barr stated that upwards of thirty children had to welk between three and four miles to school, and the result of the distance was that many were growing up in ignorance. If the cost of erecting a building was any barrier, there was an Orange Hall available, the rent of which would bo £2O per annum. After remarks from the Chairman it was agreed that the deputation got a list of all children in the proposed new district, stating who did or did not attend any school, so that the effect of creating the new district might be readily ascertained.

The deputation promised to obtain the information, and having thanked the Board for its courtesy withdrew. The Chairman stated the financial position of Board as under :—Cash in Back, £10,019 I9s lid ; liabilities, £9,301 4.8 Id ; available balance £B6 5s lOd Mr Montalk wrote as French master at the Normal school, stating that his classes wore not so numerously attended as might be if he was paid a salary, instead of which he now had to make a charge, and the benefits might be increased if he could reduce his fee.

The Chairman said that no authority had been given to Mr Montalk by the Board. He had inquired of Mr Malcolm, and found that the class was held after three o'clock, but this was in defiance of the Board’s refusal to engage Mr Montalk as French teacher. Rev. 0. Fraser thought that this branch of instruction should form part of the Normal school studies. French was taught in the Dunedin Normal uohool. The Chairman contended that was not the question. He thought they should tell Mr Malcolm that he had no right to allow any one to do as Mr Montalk had done without the Board’s sanction, and that it must be discontinued at the end of this quarter. This proposition was unanimously agreed to. A grant of £lO was made to Flemington school committee for planting purposes. An application from certain residents of the Malvern district respecting the appoimtment of Mr R. P. Pole to the mastership of the Waddington school was next considered, and it was agreed that the school committee send in afresh the list of applicants for the vacancy. With regard to certain masters of schools who do not reside in the schoolmasters’ houses, it was decided that they must sign the agreement to keep such houses in good order and condition. A communication was read from the Lower Heathcote school committee, stating that they were unanimouely of opinion that the charges preferred by Mr Wilks against the chairman of committee were unfounded, and that they would not object to the fullest inquiry ; but that, as no evidence could be taken on oath, its results would not perhaps be so satisfactory as oould be desired. Mr Cunningham thought the whole matter should be referred to the Minister of Education.

The Chairman having briefly reviewed the charges preferred, Mr Tanored thought the case imperatively required sifting to the bottom, and ho also thought the Government should be addressed, and perhaps a Royal Commission would be appointed to investigate the matter. He would therefore move—“ That his Excellency the Governor be moved to appoint a Royal Commission to inquire into the circumstances attendant on tho removal of the master of the Lower Heathcote school.”

Mr J. A. Cunningham seconded the motion.

Rev. 0. Fraser said that no action could result from the Board hearing evidence. He would therefore propose—“ That the oonsidertion of the Commission be deferred till next meeting.” Mr H. R. Webb seconded the amendment.

Mr G. Booth could see no object to be gained by delay, and he thought Mr Tanored’s motion the only way to give satisfaction to all parties. Mr Peryman would support tho amendment.

Mr Farr would support tho motion, the question was too important to bo shelved. Tho Chairman thought that any enquiry should be made by the Board, as ho did not think the question was elevated to the position to require a Royal Commission. The matter, although grave, was too trifling for that. Even if the Commission was granted —what then ? The enquiry would be made, and that would be all.

Mr Ignored said a Boyal Commission could administsr oaths, and the Education Board could not. As to the remedy it would provide, it would lead to this—that the evil made apparent could be remedied by future legislation. [Hear, hear.] The amendment was then put end lost on the voices. A division resulted in its rejection by five to three, Mr Tancred’s motion was then put, and carried on the voices.

Mr Patterson, of the Normal School, was appointed to the mastership of tho Lower Hoathoote School.

An application from the Wakonui school committee was then read and acceded to.

The tender of Messrs F. B. Lloyd and Go., for fuel to the Normal School, was accepted. Tho acceptance of a tender for Richmond School alterations ware referred to the chairman, to confer with tho architect. Mr Cunningham reported the result of an interview of tho sub-committee appointed by the Board to confer with tho School of Art committed ro tho days and hours at which drawing lessons could be given to tho ohi'dren of the Normal and other Government schools, tho fees of which were ordered to be ascertained. The teal of tho Board was .attached to the conveyance of a plot of land atWaikari, in exchange for a more eligible school site. An application for certain additions to tho schoolmaster's house at Floxton side school, involving a cost of £lO, was agreed to. A site at Rotherham was also agreed to be exchanged. The Board decided :—To apply to the Waste Lands Board office for fivo acres land for school purposes at Winslow j to grant £8 for sinking a well at Yaldhurst school ; to purchase a school site in the township of Landston ; to sanction alterations and additions to buildings at West Melton and Halkett. After some routine matters the Board adjourned. KOTICB OP MOTION. Mr G. Booth to move, at tho next meeting of tho Board:—“That an advertisement be inserted in the two morning papers inviting applications for tho office of architect to the Board, giving the whole of his services, at a salary of £350 per annum, with travelling expenses added.”