BOARD OF EDUCATION.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2664, 20 October 1882, Page 3

BOARD OF EDUCATION.

An ordinary meeting of the Education Board of the North Canterbury district was held yesterday afternoon at three o’clock. Present—Mr W. Montgomery (in the chair), the Bev. O. Praser, Messrs Peryman, Cunningham, and Booth. The Bev. O. Praser said that since last meeting he had received a communication from Mr Latham, referring to the discussion which took place at the Board with regard to the appointment of architect. He desired to say that the suggestion ho (Mr Fraser) then made that Mr Latham’s letter) should be returned, was not with any intention of showing disrespect to any complaint brought before the Board, but from a conviction that the letter contained oomany inaccuracies as evidenced that the writer had not informed himself on the subject. Mr Latham in his letter assumed that Hr Parr had beeu a member of the Board when be acted as architect for the Normal and other schools, whereas these buildings were erected years before Mr Parr’s membership. The report of the business transacted by the chairman since the last meeting was read and confirmed. The Bay. O. Praser asked to be excused for the remainder of the sitting, in order to attend the funeral of the late Bev. Mr Pergusson. A deputation from the St. Albans school committee waited upon the Board with respect to the proposed removal of the side school from its present site to Office road. They pointed out that the existing building was ill adapted for a side school, both in regard to position and general convenience. It was only half a mile from the Normal school; the class room accommodation was insufficient, and there was no playground, the children having to play in the public road, their lives being thereby endangered from the passing traffic. ' The Chairman said the matter would receive the earnest consideration of the Board. They had no funds at present for snoh a purpose, and when they did obtain funds they would have to consider the claims of the country districts as well at those of the towns.

The deputation then withdrew. A deputation of two residents of New Brighton waited upon the Board with regard to the notice given to the master of the school.

Mr Wamey said that although the deputation was small there was a considerable feeling of regret at the proposed removal of the master. The Board could hardly understand tho nature of the district. Tho small attendance at the school mi owing to the bad state of the roads and an indisposition on the port of parents to send their children to school. The circumstances of the district hardly gave Mr De Troy a “ fair show,” and even Mr Oorfe could not get a large attendance there. They hoped tho Board would give Mr Da Troy another trial. The Chairman remarked that the small attendance was not tho only ground for Mr De Troy receiving notice. The Board had acted in consequence cf the unfavorable nature of tho inspect or’e report as to the results obtained at the school.

Mr Wanssy thought the want of success might be attributable to the irregular sttendahoa.

The Chairman said tho Board would consider the matter, but ho did not himself see any reason for alto.-ing tbs decision already arrived at.

The deputation then withdrew. The question of finance in connection with school buildings was raised by Mr Booth,.end its consideration deferred until next meeting, when the chairman would bo prepared with a statement on the subject. The Chairman said that two letters had been received from Mr Latham on the subject of the appointment of the architect, in one of which he slated that he had been informed by the Minister of Education “ that tbe Government have no control over Ednca tion Boards in the matter of the appointment of their o(Users,” cad that therefore the Board were responsible to the people of North Canterbury for coy improper appointment they made, and for their wasteful and injudicious expenditure in connection therewith.

The Secretary road Mr Latham’s letter, which criticised the Board’s proceedings in very severe terms. On the motion of Mr Poryman the letter was ordered to be acknowledged. The Chairman laid a statement had been prepared showing the expenditure on buddings which had boon applied for, the total being £28,000. To meet this the Board would have its share of the £89,000 voted by Parliament for school building. This would be far short of £28,000. The matter would coma up at next meeting. The Secretary read his report on the complsdnts made by the Eev. Mr Brndicy agric.st the master cf the West Melton school ior traducing him to the children in the school. The committee wrote asking the Boarn to give the master notice, as his retention would be detrimental to tbe interests of the school.

The Inspector’s report on the school was read.

On the motion of Mr Cunningham, seconded by Mr Booth, ic was resolved to give effect to the recommendation of the committee.

Mr Booth suggested that it was eomer. ;;a ! irregular and undesirable for complaints sa-d as those made by Mr Smalley to bo addrc-u.eU to the Board instead of tbe committee.

The Chairman said such a rule applied U matters, bat not to the public, who of count

always had a right to approach the Board. It was decided to inform tbs Bev. Mb Smalley that an inquiry had been held, and that ho could ueo the report on oil ling at the office. The committee of the Lincoln school wrote recommending that the mistress, who hod been conducting the school in the temporary absence of a master, should receive the satao salary as a master daring the time nhe had so acted. The rsoommendation was adopted. It was decided to request tho concurrence of the committee in the appc-iatmsnt cf Mr James Victor as master of the Malvern school. The Chairman intimated that Public Library committees could obtain forms of application for a share in the Government grant at the Board’s office. The Ashburton High School Board asked, that permission might be given to the Bsv. Mr Gumming to act as Examiner of Scholarships. Leave granted. It was also decided to accede to a request of the Board to mate certain scholarships available for beys attending the AshbnrtOK; schools. After transacting some routine buiiiuaethe Board adjourned.