Education.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 233, 26 February 1876, Page 18

Education.

BOARD OF EDUCATION. A meeting of the Board was held at the Education office on Wednesday. The Chairman of the Board (Hon. C. J. Pharazyn) presided, and there were present Messrs. Andrew, Bunny, Gisborne, Fleetwood, Ross, Toomath, Watt, Beetham, and Dalrymple. The Secretary and the Inspector were also in attendance. MINUTES. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. BANK ACCOUNT. The bank account was stated to be —Debtor as per ledger, £1095 Bs. 6d.; as per bankbook, £635 16s. 6d ; the discrepancy being accounted for by numerous cheques to upcountry contractors not having been presented for payment. The balance of grant in aid for building purposes, due by Provincial Government, of £1044 os. 10d., to be paid next day. DEPUTATIONS. The Rev. James Paterson introduced himself, and Revs. Messrs Moir, West B. A., Ogg, Morley, and Ward as a deputation wishing to place before the Board its opinions on the educational question. He said. they did not appear as representing any particular body or bodies, but as individuals who from their positions might be regarded as being thoroughly conversant with the feelings and opinions of the community generally, and who felt that the result of their observations justified them in coming to the conclusion that the feelings and opinions of the community were against the perpetuation or introduction of denominational education. The members of he deputation were anxious to secure a thorough ystem of education for the whole province, in act, for the whole colony, and they felt that

that could not be secured if the Board encouraged denominational education. A series of resolutions had been drawn up, and to these, which would be read by Mr. West, all the members of the deputation quite agreed, and the deputation hoped the Board would see fit to give them a favorable consideration. The Rev. W. H. West then read the followino- : ° Wellington, February 22, 1876. Gentlemen, —Having seen an intimation in the Hew Zealand Times that the Board of Education will consider at its next meeting the question of aiding denominational schools in this province, we desne, not in any representative capacity, but as those who are deeply interested in the education of the youth of this province, and well acquainted with the opinions ruling in the denominations to which we belong, to lay our views before you, trusting that upon full consideration of the matter, you will refuse to grant such aid, and thus prevent evils which, m our judgment, are the certain accompaniments. 1 We are of opinion that to subsidise denominational schools from rates levied upon the whole community will confer exceptional advantages on some to the disadvantage of others, be a violation of that principle of religious equality which is recognised in this colony, and introduce an element of irritation and dissension which is to be deprecated. . 2 We believe that the prospect of securing Government aid will issue here as elsewhere in the heedless multiplication of schools, and will prevent such an amalgamation of existing schools as may be required in tlie interests of good education, and demanded by considerations of economy. 3 We desire that in the working of the educational system of this province no religious denomination be dealt with as such, and that the Board of Education do not interfere with the question of religious instruction either in the way of prohibiting it or prescribing it, but that it be relegated to the decision of the local before long the Legislature will determine upon a system of education for Hew Zealand and we respectfully urge that the Board oi Education will not come to any decision on this question which might he an obstruction to such a system being realised here. To the Chairman of the Wellington Education Board. As the time of the Board no doubt was precious, he should not at any length express his own individual opinions. He might say that all of the members of the deputation had endeavored to express themselves as precisely and as much to the point as they possibly could in the memorandum he had read'; hut there was one aspect of the question which he would touch upon. It had sometimes been said, and he felt bound to say that upon first sight it would appear to have been said with truth, that it would be very unfair to call upon the Roman Catholics or any particular body to pay rates and contribute to the general funds, and then shut them out from the advantage of the expenditure, or that they should not be allowed for their contributions schools in which they might educate their children after the devices and desires of their own hearts. Certainly such an argument did at the first blush " seem just and somewhat plausible. But he would in reply submit that if that were conceded to the Roman Catholic community of course there could be no reason why it should not also be conceded to other sects. If that were done, certain results would follow—results which would be most disadvantageous in the interests of education generally. For instance, one result would be an absurd multiplication of weak schools all oyer the country; and those who knew anything about educational work would readily receive what he said when he affirmed that the quality of the instruction given would deteriorate in an inverse proportion to the multiplication of schools. At large schools the education imparted must necessarily be of a higher class than could be secured at small schools. Not only would he point out that there would be a multiplication of small weak schools at which the education imparted would be of poor quality, but he also desired to submit that if Protestants of various denominations were prepared to sink their peculiar differences in order to secure a universal system of education, why should not their Roman Catholic brethren, with equal generosity, be prepared to look at the matter in the same light, and also assist in getting a sound secular education for all. There was no necessity for him to enlarge upon the question as to why children attending a school should not be brought up in any peculiar sect or opinion, nor was it necessary for him to go into the various opinions expressed in the resolutions. He might, however, say that the peculiar denomination to which he belonged had for the past two hundred years in the old country resisted the principle of State aid to religion, and if denominational education were decided upon, it would expose tlie sect to which he belonged to serious disadvantages. They would not accept State aid; to do so would be opposition to the principles and convictions which they had cherished for years ; and if they had to educate their children at their own expense and contribute to the funds for the education of the children of other bodies, there would be a direct violation of the religious equality of all sects in this colony, where person* were not recognised as belonging to any particular sect, but as British subjects. With respect to the second resolution, he might say that there was pretty good proof that the results of denominationalism would be as mentioned in the second resolution. There was no reason to believe the result would be different here to what it had been elsewhere. He could speak certainly of Victoria, and also in respect of New South Wales, that denominationalism resulted in a multiplication of schools, and the employment of inferior teachers, simply because the small schools could not afford to pay for the services of thoroughly competent teachers. If denominationalism were to become the order of the day, for instance, there would he two schools in Thorndon. There would be the Roman Catholic school in Hill-street, and the Church of England school in Sydney-street, while perhaps one was quite sufficient, and so it would be in other parts of tbe city. He sincerely hoped that the Board would decide against putting in force the clauses of the Act respecting subsidising these schools, and would refuse their consent to anything like the introduction of denominationalism in the province. The Rev. Mr. Moir said he had always been against denominational education, and the longer he had thought over the matter the

more thorough had become his convictions that it was not a proper system. If it were adopted in this city there would be no less than six or seven different schools, each on a different system to the other, and the work of education would become thoroughly cable, and in none of the schools would the teaching be of good effect. Not only this, but there were a very large number of children in the country who he was sorry to say did not belong to any denomination —they were outside of all; then how were they to be reached ? His great objection, however, was this: denominationalism is unjust. It had been sometimes said that the consciences of some parties were against adopting a system of common schools: that their consciences could not conform to it. But he might say there were consciences on the other side as well. His conscience went against the denominational system of education, because it was unjust, and likewise detrimental to the interests of the education of the children of the country. He remembered in Scotland —and he had had some experience of education there —where the denominational system prevailed in the country, in a single parish containing some eight hundred persons, young and old, there were not less than five separate schools, and there was not a good school amongst them all, simply because they could not support good teachers owing to the smallness of each school. It would be just the same here : there would he little bits of schools here and there, each under the control of one particular denomination, of no value whatever in imparting a sound education to the children attending them. The attendance at each would be so small that good teachers could not be supported ; there would be no enthusiasm, no rivalry, but all would be lifelessness. Then further, the adoption of denominationalism would be introducing an element of strife in the country which, once raised, could only be expunged with very great difficulty, and then only by a return to tbe secular principle. He spoke what he believed to be true and right from the experience he had gained, and he spoke with the best wishes for the progress of the country. The Rev. Mr. Morley said he should just like to add to what had been already said a few words, giving the result of his experience of the working of the denominational system of education in other provinces. Since he had been in New Zealand he had resided in the provinces of Auckland and Canterbury. About ten years ago the system in Auckland was denominational, and the state of education at that time was exceedingly to be deplored. The standard was very low, and the teachers and the schools were almost starved out of existence. Within the last few years there had been a change in Auckland, and a very welcome change it appeared to have been, for when in Auckland some twelve months ago he found the condition of affairs materially altered. In the city of Auckland new schools of a very much superior character had. been established ; the number of scholars was much larger, and the teaching far more effective than it had been under the old system ; while in the country districts the change had been even more surprising still. In Lyttelton, when he first went to Canterbury, there were a number of denominational schools in existence — the Episcopalians, the Presbyterians, the Wesleyans, and the Roman Catholics were all receiving aid —and at that time the total number of children .attending the schools was only about 350. The teachers were, with perhaps one or two exceptions, incompetent for giving that thorough education to the pupils such as we now desire to give our children, and there were large numbers attending no school at all. During the time he lived in Lyttelton a change was made, although not without very strong opposition, and in place of the several schools previously, in existence one large school was established, and an attendance of some 500 pupils was obtained. A staff of teachers was engaged, composed of persons of very much greater attainments than those previously employed in the work, and as a consequence of the children being better taught the attendance increased greatly. The advantage of the change was soon felt, and even acknowledged by those who had taken the most prominent part in opposing it at first. He felt convinced that the secular system was much the best, and he believed that public opinion in this province was against any change to denominationalism. It had been his duty to travel a good deal about the Wellington province lately, and although he had been brought into contact chiefly with members of bis own denomination, he had been able to judge pretty well of the views of the country people generally, and from what he had learned he felt quite sure that the current of public opinion ran adversely to the granting of aid to denominational schools. In closing his remarks he urged the Board to consider that the people of the colony entertained strong hopes that one day there would be one system of education for the whole of New Zealand, and he was satisfied in his own mind that it would be very undesirable to perpetuate the granting of aid to denominational schools. The Rev. Mr. Ward said he had been in the colony for more than thirty years, consequently had an opportunity of watching the progress of education. Eor many years the system of denominationalism had been tlie only one that could be got for the community; but then in those early days the only teachers that could be obtained were the clergymen; he himself had taught for some time. It was the only system under which instruction could be given to the young people ; but even then it was found to be very defective, and large masses of the population received no education at all; especially had this been the case in the country districts. However, when the Government took up the matter they very wisely commenced with denominational education, and hopes were expressed that there would soon be an educated community—educated so far as the elements of education were concerned, and sufficient for the working population —and those hopes had been pretty well justified; but if the Government were going to restore denominational education, he thought mischief would be done.

The Rev. Mr. West then thanked the Board for its kindness in receiving the resolutions, and listening to the supplementary remarks which had been made, and expressed a hope that the Board would see its way clear to do justice. The Chairman, on behalf of the Board, expressed gratification that the deputation had taken so much interest in the matter, and assured them that the resolutions and the remarks made would receive every consideration and attention at the hands of the Board. The deputation then withdrew. Messrs. P. A. Buckley, Valentine, Wiggins, and James Knight were then introduced as another deputation. Mr. Valentine explained that the condition of the Hutt school was the subject upon which they had desired an audience of the Board. The matter had been pressing itself upon the attention of the local committee for some time, and last evening they had had a meeting, and drew up a statement for a deputation to present. After a few further remarks, he read the following : . , A meeting of the ratepayers and parents of children attending tlie State school, Lower Hutt, was held m the schoolhouse, on Tuesday evening, 22nd February, Mr. James Knight in the chair, to consider the question of deficient school accommodation. It appeared that there were generally upwards of 100 children present during the week ; and if it were not that many of them attended very irregularly, it would not be possible to seat them. Allowing six children to each desk, there should be about twenty desks in the school. At present there are only fifteen and a small one seating four. So that only 94 can be seated, and there is no provision for extra children. There are often as many as a dozen who cannot be seated'at desks. Ho more desks can be placed in the school for want of room. Upstairs inconvenient, oudng to unavoidable noise of feet. Low, dark, and dirty appearance of classrooms. Ho means of warming ; no fireplaces. Ho water available; risk and danger m getting it. Ho playground ; bad effect on boys, mentally and physically. Ho conveniences for girls, who would attend in greater numbers if that were remedied. Committee willing to act, but unable, owing to the absence of Mr. I/iidlam, and want of time by Mr. Braithwayte. It was resolved that a deputation be appointed, consisting of Messrs. Buckley, Valentine, Burt, Wiggins, and Janies Knight, to wait upon and confer with the Board of and urge the erection of a new school as soon as possible. Mr. Toomath explained that he had been moving in the subject for some time past by request of the Board. He had seen Mr. John Martin, who had offered to give the present site of the schoolhouse to the Board, and subsequently Mr. Martin had, on being applied to, agreed to sell a small piece adjoining the site. He (Mr. Toomath) would in a few days see more about the matter. A little conversation on the matter ensued, and it was put to the deputation whether the school could not be in any way repaired. Mr. Valentine explained that a new building was absolutely necessary, but some of the timber in the old schoolhouse might come in for purposes of lining the new building. The Inspector said it would be within the recollection of the Board that he had some time since called attention to the matter o£ the Hutt school, and had pointed out that there was.no part of the province which had equal claims for consideration. There were one hundred and twenty children in attendance, and the only accommodation for them was an old blockhouse which had had its day—done its work, but was now unsuitable in every way, dark, dreary, and noisy. In answer to Mr. Gisbqrne, The Inspector said the cost of a new schoolroom would be £250 or £3OO. The Chairman inquired whether the inhabitants were prepared to assist by sujiplementing a grant from the Board. Mr. Valentine said tbe people were very anxious to get a new schoolhouse, but as they paid heavy rates and paid fees to have their children educated, he did not think anything more could be expected from them. The Chairman promised that if funds coulcl be obtained and a special effort would be made, the matter should be pushed on at once. The deputation thanked the Board and withdrew. the denominational question. On this subject being called on, the following letter was read : Wellington, January 31, 1876. Sir, — The Roman Catholic Committee lor Education are waiting with some anxiety for the next meeting of the Education Board, as the discussion of a motion announced at a previous meeting will then take place. Presuming that a resolution will be passed, which must needs be of great moment to the Catholic community in Wellington, I am induced, on behalf of the Catholic Committee and in defence of the interests they have to protect and promote, to ask you to kindly communicate in due time this letter to the Board. Absence of official communication from the Catholic Board might again be reputed consent, and they would be open to censure in the event of an unfavorable decision from your Board. 1. We, as well as the Church of England, are threatened with a six months’ notice to terminate the agreement now existing in regard to our schools ; ana secularism for all is not without its advocate even m the Board. After all that appeared some time ago on the subject in the public Press, we deem it quite superfluous to state that our religious convictions will never allow us to bestow a milder name on forced secularism in education than persecution against Catholics, and that, too, against what they hold most dear, and what is least able to resist —their children. But such a course, we feel assured, is most remote from the designs of your Board. . 2. Catholics may possibly receive the aforesaid six months’ notice, and, with a view to that contingency, I may be permitted to observe that this six months delay, with its attendant uncertainty and suspense, would prove a grave inconvenience to the Catholic Committee, owing to the peculiar circumstances m which they are placed. A much earlier decision, or preferably still, an immediate one, even though adverse to them, they would receive as a favor. What resolution may be adopted by your Board we will not presume to foretell. They have apparently quite given up their original project in regard to Boulcott-street central school, but they have not yet declined giving assistance to the Catholic Committee for tlie erection of a schoolhouse there, on condition that Catholics would relieve the Board of the ch g of paying the teachers’ salaries for anumber of y » to be afterwards determined. Should the 80. - eide at their next meeting that they ca ” n °t R re ij e f our views on this point, it would be at on and a real advantage to have immediate thereof, as from that moment we shi°u l( * to Board, “Since you will do ”°tk*“S. nM a Jthevare actual status it were better to leave * L,,„ hitherto Continue to subsidise our schools as you have hitherto done, and when means are fort c £ central enabled to realise your .original P r Oh?ct. of a central Catholic school by building it with Catholic funds o the qita considered suitable by you m your nrst pro •nnsal ” All we ask is tlie acceptance of our teachers Fthe Christian Brothers) when they arrive and a continuance of your hitherto fair treatment of our schoolmasters. Such a modus vivendi would still preclude

much which we consider urgent, or at least very desirable, for doing full justice to the work of education ; yet it can be made acceptable, and it is certainly far better than ostracism—a thing which we deem very far indeed from the intentions of your Board.—l remain, sir, t Francis Red-wood. After a conversational discussion as to tlie exact motion to be proposed, Mr. Beetham moved, —That six months’ notice be given tei'minating the arrangements respecting educational matters at present in force between the Roman Catholic and Church of England educational bodies and the Education Board for the province of Wellington. In his remarks upon the subject Mr. Beetham said he was sorry if it should be thought that he had any grudge against the Catholics, for such was really not the case. He had always considered that the system of education adopted in this province was system of secular education; and he considered any arrangements of the kind at present in existence to be opposed to such a system, and opposed to the best interests of the province. He believed that firmly ; and he felt sure that most of the members of the Board—-at any rate the country members—were of similar opinion. The funds at the disposal of the Board were so low that it was impossible for the Board to assist the country districts as it desired to do, and under these circumstances it was not to be expected that the town schools could be assisted as they had been in the past. But, besides this, it was most undesirable to introduce the denominational element into the policy of the Board. As had already been very plainly put before the Board by the deputation, denominationalism must necessarily lead to a multiplication of schools, and this, in its turn, meant inability to pay teachers proper salaries, the consequent employment .of inferior teachers, and a general deterioration of the educational standard of the province. Then again, it would be most unfair to some denominations. Those strong in numbers might make very good arrangements for themselves, but what about the Jews and other denominations, whose disciples in the province were comparatively few. They might not be able to support an establishment, and such a system would be very unfair to them. The Rev. Mr. Ross in seconding the motion said he had already expressed his convictions upon this matter, and although he had thought much on the subject during the time which had elapsed since he last spoke, he had only become more thoroughly satisfied of the propriety of the educational system being secular, and satisfied that if denominationalism were perpetuated it would be productive of unpleasant and unsatisfactory results. He quite agreed with the remarks of Mr. Beetham with respect to the Board being unable to give money to all schools which might crop up; and he would call attention to the fact that in times past Wellington province had occupied a good position in the matter of education. It had stood almost alone in not having a denominational system, and it was only very recently that the attempt had been made to introduce the thin end of the wedge. He had always hoped to see Wellington the centre of the secularists, and it had grieved him to find denominationalism had been introduced. At first it was not admitted that it had been introduced ; then it was said it had been introduced by mistake ; and then it was openly boasted that it had been introduced. However, the time had now come for the Board seriously to consider the matter, and to come to a determination. As far as his experience went, he was thoroughly .convinced that it would never work. No doubt it would be a very nice thing for any particular Church to get hold of the education of the young, and it was a powerful lever. He was a nationalist in education, and his Church would go dead against denominationalism ; but if such a system were introduced, she would enter into the contest as strongly as any other Church, and her proportion of the schools in the country districts would amount perhaps to 50 per cent.; at any rate they would not have less than others.

Mr. Gisborne remarked that he thought in all these discussions a great deal of time would be saved if before the discussions were commenced the terms to be used were defined. If that had been done in this case, the Board would have been spared a great many of the remarks from the deputation, and also from Mr. Ross, who he must say had used many arguments irrelevant to the point at issue. In this matter a very great deal depended upon the view which was taken of secularism. The views he held were as much opposed to denominationalism as were those held by Mr. Ross. He held most certainly that secular education alone should be provided out of the State funds that the State should exact in the same measure contributions from all denominations in the community, and return to all as far as possible in the same proportion the benefits of secular education to their children for the money they paid ; and further, that that secular education should be provided for the children at the public national schools. But still he was not unprepai’ed to say that at times there might be exceptional circumstances under which, in the interests of education, private schools might be assisted. These schools would not be aided for the purpose of enabling them to instruct children in a particular creed and a particular religion, but for the secular education given to the scholars by the master, and in compliance with the conditions laid down in the section of the Education Act under the authority of which aid is given, and which has been carried out in this and other provinces. The education given is to be secular, of a certain standard, the master or teacher is to be approved by the Board, and the school itself is to be open to inspection by officers of the Board. If these conditions were insisted upon, the Board did but assist the secular education taught in that school, and in no way could that assistance be construed into interference -with the religious creed of those attending the school, any more than was done in the national school by allowing clergymen of all sects to visit and give religious instruction. Allowing

clergymen to visit the schools was really assisting those clergymen ; and if they were rigid secularists, the Board should decline to allow religion of any kind whatever to be taught in schools at all. He said he was a secularist, but if they could prove to him that his view of seculai'ism woxxld encoxxrage denominationalism, he was prepared to put it away directly. He was qxxite as much opposed to denominationalism as any one, but these matters mxxst be regarded as from a practical point of view. If seculai'ism were adopted by the Board, the question *must be considei’ed as to whether it was not desirable that the Board should have a discretionaiy power, to be used under a set of exceptional circumstances, to assist private schools. That was the real question that had to be considei-ed, and it was not a question between secular education and denominational education; and what he complained of was that the matter had not fairly been discussed. As it were the whole venue of the discussion had been changed. It was illogical to do this —to raise a false issue. Assuming the principle of secular education to be affirmed, would the Board say to the children of the province, “ If you are not willing to come into these schools, you must go uneducated ?” Was the Boai'd prepai'ed to say to those whose consciences would not allow them to send their children to these schools, “ You shall have no assistance from State funds ?” That was a question to be decided. He lxad thought that, viewing the circumstances of these agreements with the Church of England and Roman Catholics, in these cases effect might be given to the 21st section of the Act, thoxxgh he had, in the hurry of writing an amendment, mentioned the word “ denominational ” instead of “ private.” He thought these schools might be assisted for the sake of the secular education they gave, while it would also get i'id of the difficulty with the Catholics. That there was a difficulty with them could nob be denied. They formed an' important section in the community, which really had strong conscientious scruples iix the matter. It was not upon mere questions of detail, but upon broad principles they believed that they were not doing their dxxty to God in sending their children to these schools. The Board would have to consider whether they would call upon the Catholics either to sacrifice their consciences or forego any participation in the benefits of education by State funds. It seemed that injustice woxxld be perpetrated, and a great portion of the children woxxld be practically shut out from the schools, if the case were not met in some way ; and he did not think the advice to shut out the Catholics should come from the Protestants, seeing that their religion itself was a standing witness of the strength of religious conviction. As he had said before, many Catholics believed they would not be doing their duty towards God if they sent their children to the national schools ; and hence the difficulty. The Eegislature would perhaps have to make some arrangement eithei' for sxxpplying the Catholics with schools oi' for relieving them of their conti’ibutions towards the support of education. He had not in the least changed his opinions since the Education Act was passed, althoxxgh he would at once admit that change of opinion was sometimes desirable. Experience, increased knowledge, and change of circumstances justified change; and these caxxses might influence him in changing an opinion on a subject, but his opinion would not be changed under the pressxxre of sectarian or political interests. He felt that he had been made the scapegoat, and sent into the wilderness with the sins of the foirner Board upon his back. What the old Board had done really tended to denominationalism, but he who did not go so far as the old Board was made to suffer for them. He should support the pi’oposition of Mr. Beetham, because he felt convinced that the whole matter would be bi-ought to a definite conclusion by a higher authority than the Boai'd befoi’e long*. Mr. Toomath explained that the old Boai’d had made arrangements with the Church of England and Catholics for the use of their schools, because they had come into office at a time when there were no schoolhouses, and no money to build them. He supported the motion heartily. Mr. Watt supported the motion, but he regretted that it had been brought forward. So far eveiything had worked harmoniously, and nothing had been reported calculated to disturb the harmony which had hitherto existed. The arrangements on either side had not been infi-inged, and seemed to work well. As Mr. Toomath had very wisely mentioned, at the time the Board came into existence thei'e were no schools, and no money with which to build them, and it was considered a very fortunate thing that the Board had been enabled to make such arrangements as they did. In fact, now he did not know what the Board were going to do when this six months terminated. However, he should support the motion, while he regretted that it had been brought forward. The people in the country districts took very little interest in the matter, and from the manner in which the discussion had taken place, it did not seem as if the question of denominationalism versus seculai’ism had been at aH involved in the matter. Mr. Dalrymrle said it might appear very hard to exclude from the schools all religious education ; but he really believed that that was what was proper to be done. There was a strong feeling in the country districts against these arrangements in Wellington. He was very glad Mr. Beetham had brought it forward, and he should support it heartily. Mi’. Beetham having replied, the motion was put and canied unanimously. general. ■ It was resolved to accept the tender of Messrs. Barry and McDowell, of Wellington (£610), for the erection of a schoolhouse at Tenxxi, exclusive of the cost of the cai’riage of material. A tender from local contractors for £7lO had been received, and although thecostof cartage added to the Wellington price would bring the amount up to £7lO, still the original design of the architect would be adhered to,

which would not have been the case had the other tender been accepted. In reference to the request from the Teachers’ Association for an alteration of rule as to attendance returns, the Inspector reported as follows : Wellington, January 26, 1876. Gentlemen, —In reply to the question referred to nxe as to whether teachers should be allowed to exclude attendances of less than one-fourtli the number in the books in calculating averages for the month, I beg to state that, although I do not strongly advocate any alteration in the present rule, the l-equest might be granted with the following reservations:— 1. That not more than four half-days’ attendances shall be thus excluded in any one calendar month. 2. That this concession shall in no way excuse a teacher from giving instruction to the few children who attend. 3. That such small and excluded attendances are caused by vei'y wet weather only. 4. That a record is made in the log-book and in the Secretary’s monthly returns of the attendance excluded. —I have the honor to be, gentlemen, your obedient servant, Robert Lee, Inspector of Schools. All application was received from Messi-s. Hume and Rigg, l’esidents in counti’y districts, pointing out that although they paid l’ates, they did not participate in the advantages of education, owing to their living a considerable distance fi’om the school. In one case it was nineteen miles. They applied for an allowance for each child. A long discussion ensued upon the point, and eventually the following resolution was passed : 1. That Mr. Hume’s request be granted in aecoi'dance with the following resolutions : 2. That a grant of £3 per head per annum be made to any school which shall comply with the following conditions :— a. That the school is open to all. 6. That the subsidised school is more than five miles from any public school, c. That the teacher is approved by the Board, cl. That the scholars attend once a year the nearest public school for examination. e. That the results of examination are satisfactory. /. That the pupils are not under five years of age. f/. That a suitable room is available, h. That an attendance register is kept, and returns forwarded, i. That parents elect a correspondent with the Board, j. That the pxxpils for whom capitation is claimed have made during the year at least 150 attendances at which secular instruction has been given, not less than two and a half hoxxrs each. k. That the school be open to inspection at any time. 3. That whenever the average number on the roll of a Board school shall fall below twenty-five for any six months, such school shall be subsidised as an affiliated school: two half-time schools counting as one school. Special exceptions will be made in cases of district or boarding schools covering a very lai'ge area. Affiliated. —That the usual capitation fee be paid in all affiliated schools, such fee to be granted in addition to the special allowance for the children educated in such schools. Mr. Rockett wrote protesting against a school being established at Mauriceville, as the people who applied for it were not on the ratepayers’ roH, and the establishment of a school was the resxxlt of electioneering promises made by Mr. Bunny to the Scandinavians. It was found that the persons applying were ratepayers, but by an oversight their names did not appear on the roll. The letter was ordered to be acknowledged. It was decided to make Mataonga, which hitherto had been a half-time school, in conjunction with Marshall a full time school, so soon as arrangements could be made for the condxxct of the latter.

A letter was received from Mr. Kelani, of Okatuku, asking for a school to be established in that place. He asserted in his letter that a large number of children could be obtained, and settlei’s in the districts forwarded a memorial corroborating this. It was decided that the resolutions passed in reference to Mr. Hume’s case should be applied in this instance, and if the school subsequently met the requirements, a school under the Board woxxld be established.

A building was asked for at Kaikokapu, but the Board decided they could do nothing till a site was conveyed to them. The Board decided that they coxxld not interfere with the action of the Ohai'iu local committee. A long correspondence from Mr. France was ordered to be acknowledged. Mr. Heaty, a teachei', situated two miles from his schoolhouse, requested the Board to grant him forage allowance; also that he might be allowed to become a postmaster. The Board had no objection to the latter, but declined to gi'ant the former. It was proposed to build a school at Matarawa, but the residents could not agree as to where it should be erected. Mr. Beetham was requested to endeavor to get the inhabitants to lay aside their personal differences, and select a site. Alterations and repaii’s to the extent of £25 were authorised for Horoldwi school. It was decided to place the Carnarvon school on the list of affiliated schools. The resignations of Miss Humphries and Mi'. Powle were accepted. A payment to the Highway Board of Waitotai'a for cost of copy of rate-book was axxthorised. A resolution by the Teachers’ Association, asking the Boai'd to recognise the Educational Gazette as its official medium for communication with the teachers, was not entertained. It was imported that an enlargement of the Ealxnei'ston school was necessary, and the building committee offei’ed the Boai'd premises and land for £IOO. The Inspector stated that the schoolhouse was too narrow to be of any use, but that it might be converted into a teachei'’s residence, and the Board might spend two or three hundred pounds in building a new schoolhouse. This was generally approved of. During the discussion it appeared that the land upon which the schoolhouse stood was granted for educational purposes, and the building itself was erected by public subscription. It was, thei’efore, considered that the Board owned the property, and that the building committee had no right to ask £IOO. Mr. Dalrymple said the building had been erected partly for a schoolhouse and partly for a meeting-house, and that the proceeds were intended for a public library for Palmerston. It woxxld be exceedingly unjust of the Board to take possession of it. It was decided that the Secretary should write the committee informing them of the opinion of the majority of the Board. It was decided to lease section 325 of the Eoxton reserves. The local committee of the Buckle-street school reported that the numbers had so increased that they were obliged to rent a

small room near the school to accommodate extra scholars. The Board, believing that other schools in the city would accommodate the scholars, considei’ed it would have been better to have sent them thei'e. The matter was inferred to Messrs. Toomath, Gisborne, and Lee to report upon. It was resolved to call for tenders for the ei'ection of the Hutt schoolhouse. After other unimportant business had been transacted, the Boai’d adjourned. WELLINGTON TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION. At a meeting of the Wellington Teachers’ Association, held in the Thorndon Schoolroom on Saturday, 19th February, Mr. Mowbray in the chaii', the following - resolutions, embodied in the report of the committee, were laid before the meeting and appi’oved : 1. That the control of the State education of the colony be vested in an education department under the Genei-al Government, and that the system be seculai', uniform, and compulsory throughout the colony. 2. That district boards at covenient centres shall have the general management -of all educational establishments receiving Government aid within their respective districts, including the appointment of teachers. 3. That committees of advice, to act under the district boards, be elected by the ratepayers and parents of children attending State schools moi’e than three miles from the centx-al office of said district, whose duties shall be to watch over the educational interests of their localities, but not to interfere with the internal management of the schools. 4. That the examination of teachers shall be conducted by a board of examinei's appointed by the Government. 5. That in any possible readjustment of certificate, due regard should be paid to length of service and previoxxs success in teaching. 6. That Inspectors be appointed by the Government, and. be periodically removed from one district to another'. 7. That any teacher feeling, himself aggrieved by the action of any district board, may apjxeal to the head of the department for redress. 8. That facifities be afforded by Government to teachers for proseexxting their higher studies, by subsidising competent professors to give gratuitous lectures at suitable houi’s. 9. That provision be made by Government in the chief towns and centres of population, by means of science and art classes, and otherwise, whereby promising boys from the working classes may have an opportunity of receiving higher instruction than they could in the common schools of the colony. 10. That a deputation from the Certificated Teachers’ Association of New Zealand be appointed to wait upon the Premier, in order to request the Government to introduce an Education Bill for the whole ■colony, which shall include as many of the foregoing resolutions as they, after mature deliberation, may deem proper. 11. That the secretary of committee be requested to submit the foregoing resolutions for the consideration of the Cantei'bury branch of the Certificated Teachers’ Association of New Zealand, with a suggestion that early action be taken on the matters referred to therein.