EDUCATION BOARD.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 83, 6 April 1878, Page 4

EDUCATION BOARD.

Thubsdat, April 4. Minutes of first meeting of the new Education Boßrd, convened by the Governor in Council. Prpeent Messrs Shrphard, Bamicoat, B'shnp of Nelson, Campbell, Wastoey D<>nokpr, Rout, Jackson, and Malcolm. J. W. Barnicoai, E-q, was unacittious'y elected chairman. Minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. Resolved, That the rules and by-laws of the late Board, fo fur as applicable to present circumstance?, bo adopted. Eesolvfirf, That the Chairman, with Messrs Wflßtney, Campbell, and Jackson be appointed to see what revision is necessary iv the by-laws, and to report to the Board at its next meeting. Resolved, that a Works and Finance Committee, to consistof three members, be appointed, such committee to be Messrs Shephard, Rout, and tho Bishop of Nelson. Resolved, That pending: the issue of Regulations, a Board of Examiners be appointed, to consist of the Bishop of Nelson, Meesrs. Barnicoat, Shephard, and the Inspector. A communication having been received from Mr Thompson referring to sites available for n master's house at Richmond, Meesrs. Rout, Malcolm, and Barnicoat were requested to confer with the Richmond Committee on the subject. Several of the returns from the PubHe Libraries not having come in, the apportionment of the grant was deferred until next meeting, May 2. A draft report of the Board's proceedings during 1877, together with an estimate of income and expenditure during 1878, having been prepared hy the Secretary, it was reeolped that these documents be circulated among the members of the Board, with a view to their being considered at next meeting. The Waimea West Committee having been communicated with as to the appointment of master to the North Division School; Mr R. Edmonds was unanimously appointed. There were four applicants. Reßolved, That £40 be immediately devoted to the enlargement of the master's house, at Dovedale. Resolved, That Reefton, Addison's Flat, and Charleston (to iuclude Brighton), be constituted school districts, and that a description of the boundaries of these districts be prepared by the Secretary, to be laid before Jhe Board at next meeting. Resolved, That the Inspector be authorised to make temporary arrangements for renting school-rooms at Charleston, Addison's Flat, and Reefton. The Upper Wekefield Committee having recommended that the salary for February be paid to the late master, it was resolved that the salary be paid to Mr Combes accordingly. A memorial, numerously signed by the inhabitants of Upper Wakefield, requesting the Board to pay Mr Combes his salary for February having been read, the Secretary was instructed to inform the memorialists (hat. the Board had resolved to pay the salary in compliance with the recommendation of the Upper Wakefield Committee. It was resolved, after a pivision, That the following recommendation from the Board be forwarded by the Secretary to the Minister for Works:— " That it 'is highly desirable that the railway regulations relating to the fares payable by childreu attending school be amended, so aa to exiend the benefit now confined io ihose below the age of sixteen !o all young persons irrespective of age, who may be bona fide receiving educ:ion ai schools or <-l»sses." .Ayes, 4 — Messrs Barnicoat, Malcolm. Root, end Bishop ot Nelson. ftoes, 3 — Messrs bhephurdj Wastney, and Dencker. An application from the loangahua Country Council to the Waste Lands Bond to have 1000 acres in the Mawlera-iti Plain set apart sb an Education Reserve, was referred to the Board. It was resolved, That the Board decline to make any recommendation in the matter. Resolved, in compliance with a request from the Minister of Education, that Messrs Barnicoat and Wastney be appointed Commissioners of Resrves for the Board under the Education Reserves Act, 1877. A copy of the award of the arbitrators appointed to apportion the Education Reserves set apart for the purposes of primary and secondary education having been received, it was resolved, That the Board recommend five guineas each as a remuneration for the arbitrator. Resolved, That the actual travelling expenses of members of the Board who come from a distance for the purpose of attending the Board's meetings be allowed. Resolved, That the questions of the travelling expenses of the Inspector and the future scale of salaries of teachers be deferred till next meeting. Resolved, That the election of the new school Committees take place on June 6th at 7 p.m. The Secretary was instructed to get plans prepared for a eix-rootned cottage to be built in the Kararma and to advertise for tenders in Nelson and Westport. Resolved, That £5 be allowed for outbuildings at Brooklyn. Resolved, That Merrick and party's tender for sodding the surface of the cutting in Toi-Toi Valley be declined. Resolved, That a proposition to hold the meetings of the Board at 10 instead ,

of 1 1 a.m., be referred to the By-laws Committee. Resolved, That Count de Zaba's ofier of 75 sets of his diagrams for £25 be Bccepted, also that bis offer of 20 large maps, free of charge, for distribution amongst the principal schools, be accepted with thtrnks. It waa also resolved that the Board repay the Count the necceesary expenses of a journey to Motueka (not to exceed. £2 2e) should his arrangements permit of his giving 8 lecture (here for the benefit of teachers Rnd elder scholars in that neighborhood. In reply to an application from the Upper Wskefield Committee for a grant of £15 16a to defray the cost of repairing the fence, and clearing the the briars from the school-ground, the Secretary wbs instructed to explain tnat by-law 28 precluded the B6ard from making any further ouiluy on such lands. Pians and specifications for the girls' school in Toi Toi Valley were referred to the Works Committee, who were also empowered to call for and accept tenders. Bank balance, April Ist. £1749 13s 6J, to meet cheques for £1034 7s 4J.