EDUCATION ORDINANCES.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4133, 19 June 1874, Page 3

EDUCATION ORDINANCES.

In two Provinces—Taranaki and Westland —Bills relating to education have occupied tho attention of the Provincial Councils. As indicating the character of those, wo quote some particulars of their contents from local papers : WESTI.ANI). In committee on tho Education Bill, the original rating danse was amended to read as follows “A varying householder’s rate according to tho net annual value of the tenement occupied by tho householder, that is to say, if tho tenement bo of tho net animal value of £lO or less, a uniform rate of 10s. in the year, but if tho net annual value of tho tenement exceeds £lO and does not exceed £SO, a uniform rate of 205., and if tho net annual value of tho tenement exceed £SO, a uniform rate of 30s. Tho net annual value of tho tenement shall be ascertained from the assessment rolls for the year in which tho rate is collected of tho municipalities or Hoad

Board districts in which such tenement is situated, provided that whore no assessment roll exists in any such municipality or district, or whore any such tenement does not appear on any assessment roll, the value of such tenement shall bo fixed by the collector.” The sum of ss. per child per annum was also agreed to between the ages of five and fourteen years. The Superintendent then moved to insert the following clause as Clause 38 of the Bill “ Any religious instruction given in such school shall be free of all controversial character, and shall be imparted at such fixed and previously stated hours, that any parents objecting thereto may Tie able to withdraw their children from the school' at the time when such instruction is given.” The discussion on this alteration occupied fully two hours, a great variety of opinion being expressed in the discussion. Eventually it was carried, with an amendment moved by Mr. Woolcock, and agreed to by His Honor, leaving out the words “ at such fixed and previously stated hours,” and inserting in their stead the words “ before or after ordinary school hours,” TARANAKI. The Education Ordinance recently passed by the Provincial Council (says the Herald) is to he brought into force at once ; and his Honor the Superintendent has notified that a meeting of the householders of the New Plymouth Educational District will be held on Friday next, for the purpose of electing members of the Board, After the election, the Board will have to commence its work. As the householders will have to contribute their twenty shillings a year, it is to their interest that they should elect men who are likely to see that the money is spent economically. All subjects relating to schools are, as we have stated, to bo left to the Board ; and that rock on which so many Education Bills has been shipwrecked—a religious clause has been avoided in the passing of the Ordinance. A clause has been inserted, however, by which schools not . established under the Ordinance may, if the Board thinks fit, receive aid ; but this is on condition that a certain number of scholars shall bo entitled to be instructed gratuitously, or at reduced rates of charges. We presume that this clause was inserted for the purpose of subsidising denominational schools, if provided until fully qualified teachers. Although the Ordinance is not, perhaps, so perfect as it might be, still, it may be regarded as the beginning of a new system of education in this Province.