BOARD OF EDUCATION.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4202, 8 September 1874, Page 2

BOARD OF EDUCATION.

A meeting of the Education Board was held at the Education Office yesterday, at 11 a.m. Present ; Messrs. Brandon (in the chair), Pharazyu, Andrew, Toomath, Hutchison, and Smith. The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. .PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT GRANT. With reference to this matter the Secretary stated that no reply had been received to a letter, dated 10th August, to the Superintendent, An intimation had been given that the sum of £BOO was available for expenses. The delay on the part of the Provincial Government in attending to this matter caused a considerable amount of comment, and it was suggested that if a reply was not received by a certain date the Board should send in their resignation. • ACCOUNTS. A number of accounts, amounting to £752 12s. 10d., were presented and passed. On an account coming up for scavenging by the City Corporation workmen, .passed through the Inspector of Nuisances, the amount was commented on, and the Secretary stated that the amounts of the Corporation for such work were twice as much as was charged by the ordinary nightmen. He was instructed to see the Inspector of Nuisances on the subject, and to state'that the Board objected to pass the account. RESIGNATION OF MR. WATERHOUSE. A letter was read from Mr. Waterhouse resigning his position as a member of the Board. The resignation was accepted, and the Secretary instructed to write to Mr. Waterhouse, expressing the regret of the Board. The Chairman was then requested to take the necessary steps towards causing a fresh election for the Eeatherston district, which the retiring gentleman had been member for. COLLECTION OF FEES. A letter was read from Mr. Holmes, suggesting that the collector should attend at the schools once a'week, for the purpose of collecting the fees, and that due notice of the same should be given to parents and children. It was resolved, on. the motion of Mr. Hutchison, —“ That the Master be instructed to collect all fees, and to report to the Secretary all defaulters after the first month of the quarter." APPOINTMENT . OF TEACHERS. A discussion took place on this matter, Mr. Hutchison and Mr. Toomath objected to the appointment of three officials to the Feilding school, whilst there were bo many other localities equally in want of assistant teachers. It was only on information, founded on surmise, that the attendance at this school was stated at 160. There was no proof of it, and they thought it unjust to make a preference for Eeilding. It was shown by other members of the Board that the regulations allowed such appointments, and that the teachers understood that the salaries depended upon the attendance. Mr. Andrew moved,—“ That Mr. Dowling bo appointed teacher at the Feildiug school ; Mrs. Dowling as assistant teacher ; and their son as pupil teacher.” Mr. Toomath moved, as an amendment, seconded by Mr. Hutchison, —“That Mr. Dowling be appointed as - teacher, but that no other appointment be made in that school until the number of children in attendance be hiown and reported to the Board.” The original motion was carried. GREYTOWN LOCAL BOARD. A letter was read from Mr. Lucas, of Greytown, stating that the settlers had declined to appoint a local committee, and requesting the Board to do so. It was resolved that the Rev. A. Knell be requested to take office as a member of the local board, in conjunction with Mr. Haskell, already a member. i SALARIES OF ASSISTANT TEACHERS. Applications had been received from three female teachers, who have passed their examination, and were competent, for higher salaries. The applications were recommended by the Inspector. The regulations provided that they should not have less than two-thirds of the full

salary of a teacher ; but he feared that unless they received three-fourths the Board would lose their services. The salaries were fixed in accordance with the recommendation of the Inspector. inspector’s report. The consideration of the Inspector’s report was, owing to the quantity of other business before the meeting, postponed until the next meeting. FEMALE TEACHER AT MARION. It was moved by Sir. Andrew, and seconded by Mr. Hutchison, that Mrs. Jordan’s salary be increased to £SO, until she becomes certificated, conditionally on her giving full time to the school.—The resolution was carried. COMPLAINT AGAINST THE INSPECTOR. A letter was read, from Mr. Brady, of Pahautanui, complaining of discourteous treatment on the part of the Inspector, Mr. Lee. After some little , discussion, the Secretary was instructed to reply that the letter had been read and discussed—Mr. Lee being present, and explaining matters to the Board—and the Board hoped that, in future, relations between the Committee, the master, and theInspector, would proceed smoothly. REE’S' BEQUEST. The Chairman made a lengthy explanation, as to the state of this matter, and showed that it was other parties interested who were to blame for the delay. He now hoped, however,, that the affair had arrived at a stage which would shortly bring the matter to a conclusion. castle point district. It was resolved that a travelling schoolmaster should be appointed for the Castle Point District, the settlers having expressed a wish that such a plan should be adopted in preference to a boarding school ; the cost of the engagement to be limited to £l5O perannum. The board then adjourned until four o’clock. On resuming, Mr. Pbarazyu, in the absence of Mr. Brandon, was voted to the chair. The Secretary explained that since the adjournment he had received a cheque for £BOO for expenses, alluded to earlier, and it had been explained by the Provincial Government, with reference to the letter of August, that the Superintendent wished the Board to be more explicit—stating the Brans required, and for what purpose, when wanted made payable, &c., The Provincial Government, it was added,, were most anxious to aid the Board in every day, REDUCTION OF SALARIES. Messrs. Nowlin and Hurley, teachers of Homan Catholic schools, were present to make complaint on the subject of the reduction of their salaries. ’'The former showed that his salary had been reduced £SO per annum, and as it had been done very suddenly, without any notice—whereas he was entitled to a notice of six months—he had been very much inconvenienced. Mr. Hurley stated that his salary had been reduced £25 a year, and he had received n j notice of it. "WIn connection with the reductions, the Inspector called the attention of the Board to thefact that they made an allowance of £2O per annum for house rent for teachers in the country, and not in the town, which made it an injustice to the town teachers, as they were actually lower in salary where living was much dearer. He pointed out also thatthe two teachers in question had great difficu'*'>* to contend with ; they were allowed to take boys only at their school, which considerably lessened the average. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr* Hutchison, that Messrs. Newlin and Hurley and Mr. West, who had previously complained on the same grounds, be paid their arrears, and notice given them that at the expiration of six months the regulations would be enforced. With reference to a complaint of Mr. Wilson, relative to salary—on different grounds—it was determined that the arrears should be paid him. RESIGNATION. A letter was read from Mr. Wilson, resigning his appointment as teacher at Karori school. The resignation was accepted. SCHOOL ACCOMMODATION. The Inspector stated that it was very discouraging to him going into the country districts and noticing the great disadvantages under which teachers were laboring from want of school accommodation. A resolution, moved by Mr. V. Smith, was passed, to the effect that, in accordance with the principle laid down in resolution No. 1 of the Board, passed on the 20th May, 1873, the wants of the Masterton, Peatherston, and Castle Point districts, as regards the necessary accommodation for school children, ought to receive the attention of the Board as soon as possible, and before further expenditure is incurred in other districts. SUPPLY OF TEACHERS. It was proposed by Mr. Toomath, and carried,—“ That with a view to increase the number of really good teachers in this Province, application should be made to the AgentGeneral in England to make arrangements by which certificated teachers should be forwarded from that country.” The Board then adjourned at ten minutes past six.