EDUCATION BOARD.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4408, 6 May 1875, Page 2

EDUCATION BOARD.

A meeting of the Board was held yesterday, the members present being Mr. Brandon (chairman), Mr. Bunny, Mr. Andrew, Mr. Hutchison, Mr. Lowes, Mr. Toomath, and Mr. C. J. Pharazyn. increased salaries. Mr. Bunny gave notice that at the next meeting of the Board ,he would move the following resolution :—" That inasmuch as t\e estimated revenue of the Board for the current year is over £14,000, it is expedient that the salaries of all teachers should be raised.2o per cent." THE AMALGAMATION RESOLUTION. Mr. Bunny moved that the resolution for amalgamating the offices of inspector and secretary, passed at a former meeting of the Board, be rescinded. It seemed to him that the proposal was a very unwise one, and would do much to damage the cause of education in this province. Mr. Andrew seconded the resolution, as from his experience he felt -confident the suggested amalgamation would not work. Mr. Toomath, as the mover of the amalgamation resolution, was still convinced that it was the only means by which the Board could keep its expenditure within its income. Besides, in amalgamating the offices they were not without precedent. When Mr. Bowden was Inspector, he did the whole work himself, and did it well, and during the first twelve months of the existence of the Board the work was done satisfactorily by himself and Mr. Graham. All that was required was a clerk in the office to receive the rates and do the necessary clerical work, while the Inspector was engaged on his visits of inspection. The plan worked well in Westland and Nelson, and why should it not do so here. But then there were certain circumstances in the conduct of their present Inspector, Mr. Lee, to which he must take exception. MrLee's first visit to the schools in the country districts was performed in such a rapid manner that it was impossible he could do justice to the work of organisation ; yet they found him making applications to inspect the schools of Marlborough and Taranald. The Inspector : I did not apply. Mr. Toomath : The papers said so, at any rate. The Inspector : Well, I deny it. The Chairman : Have you any authority for your statement, Mr. Toomath ? Mr. Toomath : Yes ; I have an authority somewhere which states that the sum asked for the inspection of the Taranaki schools was £SO, which the Board refused, because they could not afford it. But I don't want to prove any charge against the Inspector. I simply want to prove that the offices of inspector and """ secretary can be filled by one person. I have always thought they could be, and experience shows they can, provided the Inspector is interested in his work. But what do I find ? In November last, I went to the Hutt, and found that Mr. Lee had passed through the district two days before me, and had taken no steps whatever to fill up a vacancy in the school there. The consequence was that I took charge of the school while Mr. Lee was receiving money for inspecting the Marlborough schools, being absent on the pretence that he was talcing his holidays. I maintain that if we keep a person in the office to receive the rates instead of paying for their collection, and with a little clerical assistance, there would be no necessity whatever to keep two responsible persons to do work that was done before by one. $ The Chairman : I must take exception to the statement that Mr. Lee went to inspect the Marlborough schools oh the plea that he. was taking his holidays. He is entitled to his holidays, and we have no right to restrict him as to what he does during that time. Mr. Bonny : Besides, the Board knew Miv Lee was going away. The Chairman : Yes. Mr. Toomath : No.

Mr. Bunny : The teachers get their holidays and do'what they like, and why should we dictate to the Inspector as to what he shall do during his holidays? .. .. The Chairman : My experience of the thing is that it is impossible to combine the two offices. The duties of the Inspector and those of the Secretary are entirely distinct. The one is required to be perpetually on the spot, and the other must of necessity be constantly travelling through the province. I am fully convinced of the impolicy of the proposed amalgamation. • _ • Mr. Pharazyn : I think the Inspector should be allowed to make an explanation, as he has been accused of neglect in the ca<3e of the Hutt school. The Inspector: When I took office under the Board, I requested to be allowed to do my work in my own way and in my own time, becauseI found I had to initiate a system entirely new to the province. I had to plan and scheme to make the best of circumstances, and had nosmall difficulties to contend with. lam quite aware that I am amenable to the Board, and am willing to conform to its instructions ; but at the same time I could not fail to see that certain members of the Board have taken particular views of thing 3, and have tried to force those views upon-me. I confess lam unable to see things in the same light as those gentlemen. 'lf the mastership of a school be vacant,. I do not consider it my duty to fill that vacancy until a suitable candidate for the office is found: In the next place, it is impossible for the members of the Board to know how I spend my time. Honestly speaking, I have spent more time this year in the service of the Board than I could reasonably be called upon to do. A great deal of my work is done at niyht. My reports are written during my own quiet hours: lam confident I- can work the system to a successful issue if left to myself, but I must protest against the action of those members who, having discovered some cause of complaint, wait for the end of the year to come, to array against me a list of charges as to neglect of duty. If an inquiry is necessary, it should be held when the alleged: neglect takes place. With regard, to the charge that I neglected to find a master for the Hutt. school, the explanation is this : The master was quietly moved out of the district for drunkenness; and I took the necessary steps to provide for the vacancy. In the meantime Mr. Toomath, being member for the district, took charge of the school, without any knowledge on my part as to whether he was qualified for the position. Who is to say that every member of this Board is qualified to act as master of a school, unless he is • examined ? As to examining schools during my holidays, I - answer that the time is my own. No exception is taken to the masters occupying their leisure time how they like. One is conductor of a harmonic society, another teaches music, and so on ; yet nobody objects, and I claim the right to do as I like. I hope, in future,. that members of the Board will make their complaints at the proper time and place, and not create a prejudiced feeling outside against an official. Mr. Toomath : I did make the complaint at the proper time, and as to my qualifications to act as a schoolmaster, I leave twenty years' experience of my conduct in that capacity to speak for itself. Mr. Graham : It is impossible that the officers of the Board can have the same holidays as the teachers, inasmuch as during the teachers' recess the Inspector and Secretary -were busy examining teachers, and making provision for vacancies and transfers. Mr. Hutchison : I seconded Mr. Toomath's motion on financial grounds, and it was very much approved by those gentlemen who now take the opposite side of the question. If my memory serves me right, those members made remarks at the time much more derogatory to the Inspector than anything I or Mr. Toomath. have said. I mention that in order that we should understand at the outset that it is a question which should be treated upon public grounds, and not upon private grounds. The Chairman : I think your statement is scarcely correct. Mr. Hutchison : I say that Mr. Lee was spoken of most disrespectfully at this table by those members who now oppose the amalgamation resolution. Mr. Pharazyn : I never heard anything of the kind before. Mr. BuNirr : Whatever was said at the meeting referred to was strictly private.

Mr. Hutchison . I am not repeating what was said. Mr. Bunny : No ; but these remarks are worse than repeating what was actually said. You had much better say that Mr. A or Mr. B said so and so. Mr. Andrew : I beg to say that Mr. A. said nothing. (Laughter.) Mr. Hutchison : As the meeting was a private one, I will say nothing more about it. I regard this as a financial question. We pay the Inspector .£l5O, the Secretary £3OO ; we pay for the collection of rates about £IOO, and probably about £3O for collecting in the country districts ; in all, about £9OO. What we propose is that the first-named offices should be amalgamated, and that a clerk should be appointed, who should receive the rates at the office aud do the clerical work. The percentage paid upon the collection of the rate 3 would pay the clerk, and we should, therefore, gave about £3OO a-year. The question is, can the work bo properly done under this arrangement. My own impression is that it would be very much better done. There are sixty schools in the province, and I think the Inspector will agree with me that three months is quite enough time to complete theynspection. What is he to do during the remainder of the year ? The Inspector : I have been six months inspecting, and I have not examined half the province yet. Mr. Hutchison : Mr. Toomath, while acting as Inspector, inspected one school a day, and that made sixty days' inspection in the year. The Inspector : It would be quite impossible for me to do it. If I were to travel every day it would run away with the whole of my income. Mr. Hutchison : Well, if it i3impossible for Mr. Lee to do it all I can say is that there are other people who may not find it impossible. We are dealing with public money, and we are bound to save it where we can. Suppose Mr. Lee is inspecting during six months in the year, what is he to do during the remaining months ? The Inspector : To examine the masters, and attend to the working put of the educational system. Mr. Hutchison : The Inspector wants to do his work in his own time and in his own way, and, it seenn to me, in perfect ease and comfort. I don't want to say a word about this ; but from the tone the Inspector has taken up with reference to this subject, I am bound to go a little further, and say that he must_ not attach too much importance to his services. He must not suppose The Chairman : Really, I must interrupt you. You must confine yourself to the question: "Mir. Hutchison : I beg your pardon, Mr. Chairman. lam a member of this Board, and I will discuss the subject in whatever manner seems to me best. Mr. Lee treats this question, publicly and privately, as a personal question. The Inspector : I do nothing of the kind. Mr. Hutchison ; It has been said that we are seeking to do something that has a personal reference to the Inspector, and that the province of Wellington would come to utter wreck and ruin if Mr. Lee left it. That is sheer nonsense. Another inspector would soon be

found. The Inspector : Mr. Chairman, no such statements have been made. It is very hard to sit and hear statements made which are not true.

Mr. Hutchison : It is perhaps unfortunate that Mr. Lee is present, but we must discuss the subject. The Chairman : Then you must confine yourself to the question. Mr. Hutchison : I can see that you don't wish any discussion at all. The Chairman : I beg your pardon. _ I don't say that there should be no discussion, but you must confine yourself to the question. Mr. Hutchison : Is it your duty to confine me to any particular words ? The Chairman : It .is. my duty to save the time of the Board, by requesting a member to confine hi? remarks to the subject. Mr. Hutchison : If the Board says lam not to proceed, I'll stop. •Mr. Toomath : You are on the opposite side, Mr. Chairman. You ought to give full liberty to Mr. Hutchison. The Chairman : So I do. Mr. Toomath : You have allowed Mr. Lee to interrupt Mr. Hutchison several times. The ChaieMan : I have signified to Mr. Lee that he must not interrupt a speaker. I merely wish Mr. Hutchison to confine himself to the subject, and not to introduce personalities. The point to be discussed is, can the offices of inspector and secretary be amalgamated with advantage. Mr.' Hutchison : Very well, sir. I submit o your ruling. The Chairman : I don't want you to submit to my ruling. If you like, I will put it to the Board whether I am right or you. Mr. Bunny : It will be much better if you t* put the question itself. Mr. Toomath : That's because you know you have four to three. There are two members absent who might turn the question. Mr. Bunny : It is quite possible the two absent members might vote with us. The motion was then put, with the following result :—Ayes (4) : Lowes, Bunny, Andrew, and Brandon. Noes (3) : Pharazyn, Toomath, and Hutchison. . Mr Toomath : I beg to move that you have not a full meeting of the Board. This question was only to be discussed at a full meeting. The Chairman : You were at perfect liberty to move the adjournment of the debate had yau chosen. The subject then dropped.

THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM. The Chairman moved the following resoluaesiro to add, as a supplement to their report, as follows :-That, after nearly three years'experience, they have come to the conclusion that a Central Board, as under the present system, is a mistake. Members residing in the country cannot give the attendance at the Board meetings which the business requires, with that punctuality which is • necessary. Members residing in the country will not travel many miles to attend Board meetings, when able to do so, without having their travelling expenses paid, and such expenses might form a serious item in the accouD ts. Country constituencies may, therefore, he unrepresented, or compelled to elect a memDer resident in the city of Wellington wholly unacqainted with their interests. The Board would su«est that a Central Board consisting of three members nominated, would be preferable to the present Board. It would further suggest that tbo Inspector should have the management, appointment, removal, and control of all the teachers, subject to the instructions and directions of the Central Board. That school districts, not too large, be established, and local boards be elected to act therein, such boards to have charge of the school buildings and tho maintenance of them ; to report to the Central Board when and where any new schools or aid may bo required ; to decide on the remission of any rates or fees; to report likewise to the Inspector or Central Board any misbehaviour or remissness of tho teacher, inquire into any complaints and report thereon to the Inspector and Central Board and any other thing of which, for the welfare of the district, tho local board may deem it expedient that the Central Board should be informed. All officers to bo of course, subject to the control of the Central Board. The Central Board to have the management of the assessment and collection of rates, and that the attendance at schools shall be compulsory. The experience of the last three years had convinced him that the work of the Board had been most unsatisfactory, and that it would be far bettor to have a nominated Board which should be responsible to the Government for its actions. They had found that the attendance of country members had been very irregular, but, perhaps, no blame was to be attached to any one for that, the office being a gratuitous one and the expenses of travelling very considerable. However, that did not alter the fact that the dereliction had led to great inconvenience and dissatisfaction. His experience had led him to the conclusion that the Inspector should have the largest powers over the teachers; in fact, the whole responsibility should rest with the Inspector, who would, of course, be subject to the direction of the Education Board. To assist the Inspector tho province might be divided into smaller districts than at present, each district having a small elected board to advise tho Inspector. These boards would communicate with tho Central Board when any new Kchool or aid was required. It would be their duty also, without interfering with the Inspector, to report misbehaviour on tho part of the' teachers, and communicate to the Inspector any complaints on tho part of parents. The Central Board would retain the power to assess the amount of rate; and if.

education was really to have the effect of diminishing crime, it must be compulsory ,_ so that numbers of children at present roaming about the streets should receive its benefits. Mr. Bunny said it was absurd to talk of compulsory education until the requisite school accommodation was provided. He supposed it was intended to present this resolution, if earned, to the Council, as an indication as to . the direction legislation should _ take next year. This was a complete alteration of the education system, and ho did not say it was not a good one, but the people should have some opportunity to discuss such a proposal. Mr. Andrew saw no reason why the change should not be made law this session. All they had to do was to adopt the clauses of the \ ic.torian Education Act, to bring the compulsory clauses into force. Mr. Bunny seconded the motion pro forma. Mr. Hutchison proposed the following amendment :—" That as a Central Board cannot efficiently carry on the education business of the province without local committees, the Board suggests to the Provincial Council that the Education Act should be amended to the extent of enacting that the Education Board should divide the province into suitable school districts, in each of which a committee of five members shall be elected annually under such regulations as the Board may determine, aud to°these local committees shall be given the power of appointing teachers to the schools in their respective districts, and the general management and supervision of these schools/without interfering with the teaching or internal! discipline therein. That education shall be!l compulsory, and that the teachers shall report; to the lical committees, from time to time, as; to the attendance or non-attendance of all children of school age in their districts. With the view of giving ratepayers a wider choice, of members to the Education Board, it is: further suggested to the Council that the[ clause which confines the election of members Jor a district to ratepayers within that district, should be repealed, and that'the election might embrace any eligible ratepayer in the province." A general opinion was expressed that it: would be better to give the people of the province an opportunity to discuss both the: motion and amendment, and ultimately both were postponed. powers and duties of members. The Board then entered upon the draft rales, proposed by Mr. Toomath, for the purpose of defining the powers and duties of members. The first rule was proposed as follows :—. Member to have charge of the schoolhouses in his district. Repairs, alterations, &c, to be; made through him and local committee, and applications for the use of the building'to be made to him and through the local committee. ' Mr. Andrew objected that if the resolution were passed in its present form «. local committee and the member for a district might saddle the Board with considerable liabilities. . Mr. Bunny inquired why the member for the district sheuld interpose between the local committee and the Board itself. Speaking for himself, he was not prepared to accept the charge of the schoolhouses in his district. The local committees should make their representations, as they did at present, and let the various subjects be discussed by the Board. He would like to know whether Mr. Andrew would be prepared to attend to all the Bchools in his district.

Mr. Andrew : Every one of them, with the greatest pleasure. (Laughter.) The Inspector said he had not yet reported upon the condition of the school property, but he intended to prepare a report which would render such a rule unnecessary. Mr. Toomath said he was quite prepared to meet Mr. Andrew's objection by inserting the words, " The proposed alterations, &c," so that no work would be undertaken without the sanction of the Board.

The amendment was rejected, and the clause struck out.

2. The member to see that the Bchoolhouses, teachers' residences, and land attached, &c, in his district are or Bhall be conveyed to the Board. ' Mr. Bunny said that to pass this rule would simply mean that the members of the Board should accept duties which they paid responsible officers to perform. The rule was struck out.

3. Complaints, of whatever nature, anent the management of, or teaching in the school, to be made to the member in the first instance, and the teacher also to apply to him for guidance and support when necessary. Mr, Bunny said the same objection applied to this rule. , Struck out.

i. No appointment to be made of teacher to any school in the district without the member's consent, and no removal to be made without his concurrence.

Mr. Bunny moved that this rule also be struck out.

Mr. Tooiiath said that if this rule were struck out he would resign his seat as a member of the Board, for he never would consent to leave the sole control in the appointment of teachers with a stranger, however good that stranger might be. Mr. Bcnnt said it simply amounted to this : that if the Inspector appointed a teacher, the member of the district might say, " I shall not consent to the appointment; in fact, I shall object to every teacher unless you appoint a particular person." Mr. Hutchison objected to this view of the matter being taken. The Inspector might appoint a person who was perfectly competent to teach, and yet might be utterly unsuited to the district. The member for the district should have some voice in such a matter. Mr. Toomath said that if the rule was struck out, he should withdraw the remaining rules.

The rule was then struck out, and leave given to Mr. Toomath to withdraw the remainder, which were as follow : 5. Members to decide on all applications from parents in their districts, who claim exemption, through. poverty (or otherwise) of payment of school fee, such application to be made through the collector. 6. Member to be applied to in case of holiday or other stoppage of the school, and also in case of local examination, to be informed when the same are to take place. 7. That the member occasionally visit the school during school hours, with a view to malting himself acquainted with the working of the school, and its results 8. That the Board decide when examination's shall be held, and the Secretary to make the member acquainted with the time of the Inspector's visit to the district. . 9. Member, to examine rate collector's work occasionally as to the collection of rates and school fees, with a view to take such steps thereon as may be necessary. 10. That the teachers report on the state of their schools in particular, and the educational wants of their locality in general, every six months, say at the end of June and December in each year. Member to report on the state of his district to the Board. 11. Member to furnish the Board with information as to when, and where required, new schools should be erected, size of building required, nnmber of children likely to attend, &c. 12. Children arc not to be removed from one school to another, without consent of member. I'ORAOE ALLOWANCE TO INSPECTOIt. Mr. Pharazyn gave notice that at the next meeting he would move, That the travelling expenses of the Inspector be raised to 20s. per diem." OHARIU SCHOOL BITE. The Chairman stated that the site for a school at Ohariu not being huitable, a more eligible one had been offered in exchange. Tho Board sanctioned the arrangement.

The Board then adjourned.