CENTRAL BOARD OF EDUCATION.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VI, Issue 213, 8 September 1871, Page 2

CENTRAL BOARD OF EDUCATION.

Thursday, September 7. The Board met at 11 o'clock, Captain Rough in the chair. A letter was read from the Pangatotara Local Committee recommending the removal of the schoolhouse to about a mile to the south of the present site. Resolved, on the motion of the Bishop of Nelson, "That the Committee be requested to ascertain if a suitable site can be obtained, and io report to the Board thereon, and also upon the probable cost of such site, and of the removal of the schoolhouse." An application was received from the Catholics of Charleston to the effect that the Board should grant them assistance in the maintenance of a school about to be opened in that district. Resolved, on [the motion of Mr. L. Broad, " That in the event of this Board continuing to have the control of Education in this Province, aid will be given on the same terms to the Charleston school as to the other schools on the West Coast." An application was received from the Waimea West Local Committee for an increased grant, of money for repairs recently executed in the two district schools. Resolved, "That the application for an additional grant for Waimea West having been received after the apportionment of the money at the disposal of the Board, it cannot be entertained ; the Board, at the same time, calls attention to the fact that a very large grant, in proportion to the means at its disposal, has already been made to the Waimea West Local Committee." A letter was received from the Westport Local Committee stating that in consequence of the Board having expressed its inability, to provide the necessary funds for the erection of a new schoolhouse on a site recommended by the Committee, the members of that body had determined upon resigning their seats. Resolved, on the motion of Mr. Simmons, " That the Secretary be instructed to lay the letter of Mr. T. Sheahan before his Honor the Superintendent, and also to write to Mr. Sheahan expressing the regret of the Board that the Westport Committee has felt it necessary to resign." Mr. Simmons gave notice that he would move at the next monthly meeting of the Board, " That in the future," all days on. which schools are closed in consequence of wet weather shall be taken into account in making up the average of attendance, and shall count as days of absence for every child in the school." Mr. J. C. Richmond moved, " That this Board views with satisfaction the recognition by the Colonial Legislature that the care of "public education is a national duty j but it desires at the same time -to express its opinion that it is inexpedient materially to modify the existing machinery of the Nelson system; and, in particular, it: desires to represent to the Legislature that the present constitution of the Central Board of this Province by, the election of representatives by the .Local Committees is good iia principle and in practice, and

*n the judgment of the Board superior to nomination by any political authority, whether legislative or executive." After some little discussion it was resolved, on the motion of Mr. Barnicoat, " That a special meeting of the Central Board be called for Monday next, at 11 o'clock, for the purpose of taking into consideration the proposed Educational BUI, and that the question of calling a public meeting be then considered." The Board then adjourned until Monday, at 11 a.m.