SOUTHLAND EDUCATION BOARD

Mataura Ensign, Volume 7, Issue 372, 8 July 1884, Page 2

SOUTHLAND EDUCATION BOARD

I (From the ' Times ') \ The montlily meeting on Friday last was attended by Messrs T. M. Macdonald (chairman), Baldey, McLeod, Lumsdcn, Morison, Turnbull, and Matheson. An Order-in-Conncil was read referring to the annual examinations., and providing amongst other things that- any teacher, three months before the date for examination, could put back any pupils ho did not think could pass in their standards to the standards in which they had previously passed, but their repassing in the lower standard would not be counted as passes afc the examination. — The Chairman said the Order did not exactly clash with the resolution previously passed by the Board, providing that tae failure of pupils who had attended 250 times should not be counted at the examination. As, however, it was probable that the pupils who had not attended tho specified number of times would be back to the lower standards, the question was, should the Board's resolution also remain in force. — Mr Lumsden was of opinion that the resolution was not necessary, as the Order covered everything. He therefore gave notice of a motion to rescind. — It was resolved to obtain the Inspector's opinion on the matter. The following appointments were made .—Nightcaps (new school), MiAndrews, head master ; Upper Shotover, Mr Murray, head master; Waihopai, Mr Sutherland, head master; Otama, Mr 3 M'Lachlan, sewing mistress and pupil teacher. A petition was read from the settlers at Menzie's Ferry, requesting that a school be established there. There were 51 children of school age in the place.— The Inspector reported that of the 51 children 30 attended the Wyndhani school, and three the Edendale school, and some of the parents had informed him that although they signed the petition they had no intention of withdrawing their children from tho present schools to send them to the now one. None of the children lived at too , great a distance from tho existing schools. He would not recommend compliance with the request. — On tho motion of Mr Lumsden the Board decided to refuse the application in the meantime. The Winton Caledonian Society wrote stating that they had decided to give the sum of Lls for a bursary, to bo divided as follows :— Standard VI, L 7 ; Standard V,_L5 ; Standard IV, L 3. The competition will be open to the Winton, Limehills, Pernhills, North Forest Hill, Elderslie, South Forest Hill, East Forest Hill, and Heddon Bush achoela.