SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Volume II, Issue 81, 6 February 1864, Page 2 (Supplement)

SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

A meeting took place on Thursday evening at the Church of England. Richmond Beetham, Esq., occupied the chair; the other members present being Messrs. Wood, R. Harris, Cochrane, Luscombe, Fletcher, Gash, Manders, Worthington, hon. sec.

The Chairman in opening the proceedings said they had now something definite to act upon. A deputation had waited on his Honor the Superintendent, who had made them an offer and given suggestions; and the correspondence would show that their efforts would be seconded by the Government. The hon. sec. read a letter from J. Hislop, Esq., of the Education Board, acknowledging the application of the committee, and informing them that the Government aid extended to the sum of £IOO per annum, the particular amount being dependent upon the •number of pupils in attendance, and other circumstances; and also stating the conditions upon which such subsidy is granted — " that an equal sum at least be contributed by the promoters of the school; that the school be conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Education Ordinance in so far as these are applicable to the circumstances of the case; that the school is open to inspection by the Board's inspector; and that the Board is satisfied with the competency of the teacher."

Mr Worthington on behalf of the deputation, stated that his Honor had promised them £IOO a year, one acre of ground, two quarter acre sections for residence of the school-master and school-mistress. He had also advised them to proceed upon their voluntary efforts first, and afterwards get the place proclaimed an educational district.

Proposed by Mr Manders, and seconded by Mr Wood—" That the correspondence and report be received and ordered upon." Carried.

Upon the motion of Messrs. Luscombe and Manders it was resolved— 44 That application be made for an acre of ground at the head of Shotover-street, and for four unsold allotments in the township survey." Proposed by Mr Harris, and seconded by Mr Wood—"ThatMessrs.Manders,Fletcher, and Gash, be appointed a sub-committee for the purpose of obtaining the information for the memorial to be addressed to the Educational Board."

Mr Manders declined upon the ground of being connected with several other committees, and thought that this evidence of public action would be accepted as a sufficient excuse. (Hear) Mr Cochrane was afterwards duly placed upon the sub-committee, whose duties will be to ascertain the number of children over five years of age in the district, and to collect the subscriptions. Report to be brought on Wednesday the 10th inst. Proposed by Mr Fletcher and seconded by Mr Gash— 44 That Mr Harris and Mr Worthington be appointed to ascertain the amount of remuneration necessary for a schoolmaster." Carried.

A long, tedious, and unprofitable discussion ensued before this resolution was carried — several members advocating a fixed salary, and others paying the schoolmaster £IOO per annum, and allowing him the school-fees. Nothing definite was decided, further than that the fees should be fixed at as low a rate as possible. One shilling per week was generally accepted as the lowest rate that could be adopted. Proposed bv Mr Harris, and seconded by Mr Wood—"That Mr Beetham be Treasurer." Carried. Another protracted discussion again ensued relating to a building to commence the school in. Messrs Harris, Gash, and Worthington thought the Church of England building a good place. Messrs Wood and Manders said a building not connected with a Church would be more suitable, and also as the Church of England had been fitted with pews, it would be unsuitable for school purposes. Proposed by Mr Wood, and seconded by Mr Luscombe—" That the Trustees of the Masonic Hall, the Church of England, and the Roman Catholic Church, be written to with a request to state the amount of rent they would require for the use of their several buildings." The meeting decided upon the insertion of the words " Wesleyan Chapel" also, upon which Mr Luscombe withdrew his name from the motion. An amendment was then proposed by Mr Luscombe, and seconded by Mr Fletcher—"That the words * Wesleyan Chapel' be omitted, as a school was already being held there." ... Mr Manders seconded the original motion since Mr Luscombe had withdrawn his name, and also moved an amendment. He had already said that churches were not proper places for unsectarian schools, and this foretold the commencement of a difficulty. The amendment upon being put was lost,

I and the original motion carried, though one i member held his hand up on both sides. The meeting after passing a vote of thanks ito the chair, then adjourned to Wednesday | next, at the same place.