BOARD OF EDUCATION.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2652, 6 October 1882, Page 3

BOARD OF EDUCATION.

The ordinary fortnightly meeting of the North Canterbury Board of Education was held at 3 p.m. yesterday. Present— Messrs J. Inglis (chairman), W. Montgomery, A. H. Ouur.ingham, B. O. Fair, H. J. Tanered, H. W. Peiyman, G. Booth, H. S. Webb, and Rev. O. Fraser.

A report of the bnsiness transacted by the chairman since the last meeting of the Board was laid npou the table and approved.

The contract of Mr Jamieson was ordered to bo sealed.

Mr Lambert’s report on the drainage of St. Albans school was read, and its consideration deferred.

The Chairman reported that he had communicated with the Government as to the sum that will bn allocated to the Board for the next financial year, and had received a reply that the sum will be stated on the completion of the loan arrangements. Mr E. 0. Farr wrote accepting the position of architect to the Board.

Two letters referring to the recent appointment of architect were read from Mr G. Latham, C. 8., the first of which characterised the appointment e* without precedent, the latter reflecting upon certain buildings constructed by the successful candidate’s father.

The Rev. 0. Fraser pointed ont that Mr S. 0. Farr was not then a member of the Education Board, and thought the letter should be returned to the writer.

Messrs Booth, Montgomery, and Onr.nir.gham thought the letter* contained reflections upon the Board. The Chairman concurred, and for that reason preferred they should be read in open meeting. The first letter had been acknowledged ; the second letter only came to hand last night. As to its reflections upon the Normal, Bingsland, and South Belt schools, he might say with regard to the latter, Mr E. 0. Farr bad proposed certain alterations at a cost of £l2.

The proposed alterations were agreed to. Mr B. O. Farr stated that the mistress at at the South Bolt school had expressed her satisfaction with the ventilation of the schoolroom.

Mr Latham’s second letter was ordered to be acknowledged. The Board’s architect reported that certain proposed alterations to the Amberley school, to accommodate twenty-five or thirty more children would entail a cost of £l2O, which expenditure was sanctioned by the Board. The drainage of the Phillipstown school and grounds was also reported on, and plans laid upon the table, it being proposed to lay a sewer 300’t, and also an open drain, which, with some trifling repairs to the school, is estimated to cost £SB. The Board authorised tbe construction of the sower, and the open guttering r.;und the school.

Certain repairs at the Broomfield school were authorised.

A proposal to erect an iron fence at the East Christchurch school baths, so as to allow the girls to bathe, was deferred till the Board is in funds.

Mr Yeel reported that he had visited Tamutu and also Lakeside, with a view to the erection of a side school at the former place, where there is a considerable Maori population and a few European settlers. The report stated that there are seventeen Maori and twenty-one European children who attend no school. It was understood that Mr Taiaroa had expressed his willingness to give an aero of land as a site ; or, if that was not entertained, land could be obtained for the purpose at a low rate. The consideration of this matter was also deferred.

The chairman of the North Lobnrn School committee wrote complaining of their inability to clear the school grounds of gorge out of incidental funds, and also suggesting certain improvements to the grounds and drainage, and sekirg for a lot of school requisites, and enclosing sundry accounts. The Chairman remarked that it was disgraceful that this school committee should allow the grounds to get into such a state. Mr Cunningham said the want of drainage arose through the school being placed in a bad spot, for which the committee blamed the architect, who had denied it. The school was also frequently filled with smoko, as the walls bore ample evidence. It was agreed that the architect visit the school and report upon the drainage, &o. Certain pupil teachers’ agreements wore ordered to be sealed. Mr L. B iston wrote stating that he should resign his position as master of the Sydenham School in November next, and asking that the usual certificate bo awarded him which was unanimously agreed to. An application from Mr F. McClure was declined.

A letter from the Kay. J. S. Smalley respecting certain language used by the master of the West Melton school respecting him was next considered, in which the writer stated that he would be satisfied with nothing less than a public apology. The Chairman stated that the Wert Melton school committee wore unable to conduct an inquiry into the matter with any degree of satisfaction, and suggested that Mr Veol and some other competent gentleman be appointed for that purpose. In this connection a letter was read from the master of the school. The Eev. O. Fraser suggested that the matter should be deferred till the inspeotor’s report of the West Melton school was received. Messrs Tanored and Montgomery did not geo what the inspector’s report had to do with the matter. Mr Per} man said that he had seen Mr Smalley, who told him that if a public apology was not speedily made, ha should bring an action against the master for defamation of character.

Mr Montgomery asked by what means the truth or otherwise of these allegations of improper language in the school could be ascertained? He would suggest that steps be taken to obtain snob information. It was determined that Mr Veel should take the necessary steps in the matter. The chairman reported that no replies to the inspector’s reports had been received from Southbridge, Mason’s Flat, Tai Tapn, Broaofis'd, Spiingfield, or St. Albans school committees. The Rev. O. Fraser would suggest that no application* whatever bo entertained by the Board from either of those school committees till a reply bo received. A number of replies from committees of various schools, anent the inspector’s reports, out of which the following business arose : The Board authorised the appointment of a mistress to the Broomfield School, a pupil tesoher to Halswell, ond that three months’ notice of dismissal be given to the master of the New Brighton School,

It was decided to write to the Fernsid school committee, stating that certain book cases must be removed from the class-room, but that permission to erect a separate room for their reception would not bo withheld. The resignation of the msster of the Bpreydon School was accepted. -Letters from the North Loburn, Templeton, Woodcnd, and Leithfleld school cocamittees wore ordered to bo forwarded to the inspector.

The drill instructor wrote, stating that he could not recommend the application of the Young Men’s Club for the use of the gymnatiuiu. The application was ooneequently deal The Board decided that the compulsory clauses of the Education Act be pat into force in the Newland school district.

In reply to a letter from the Kowai Bush school committee, a reply was instructed to bo sent that the Board adhered to its former decision re its being made an aided school. The matter of reimbursing Mies Barlow for certain expenditure in the purchase of sewing materials was left in the chairman’s hands.

Mr Cunningham moved—“ That in the appropriation of the vote for salaries the propriety be esnsidered of so grouping district schools and salaries as to check the continuous movement of teachers, the loss incurred thereby, and the loss of service resulting.” He urged that it was necessary something of this kind should bo done, as teacher* were now never looked upon as settlers, but as liable to leave at one month’s notice if a higher salary offered elsewhere, and this resulted in serious hindrance to educational interests.

Mr Q-. Booth seconded the motion pro forma, agreeing with much that had fallen from the mover, although bo fail 'd loses how the desired object could bs obtained. Eev. 0. Fraser thought a bonus for three years in one place and the maintenance of a high average might have a good result, *a» he should not like to tee the present system upset.

The Chairman failed to understand the motion. Already it was provided that a teacher must be in charge at least twelve months at one school. He also failed t:» see how the schools could bo grouped. Besides, they could not go contrary to the Act. If Mr Cunningham would leave the matter in abeyance, it should receive every consider, tion.

The motion was accordingly withdrawn. The Board then went into committee, snd upon resuming adjourned.