BOARD OF EDUCATION ELECTION.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4514, 8 September 1875, Page 2

BOARD OF EDUCATION ELECTION.

Yesterday being the day fixed for the reception of nominations of candidates for tho representation of Wellington City upon tlxeEducation Board, the Retunxing Officer (Mr. H. Tayloi - ), attexxded at the courthouse at noon. Vei'y few pei'sous were present, and the only nomination received was that of Mr. W. Gisborne, who was proposed by Mr. W. Waring Taylor, and seconded by Mr. James O’Shea. ■; The Returning Officer thereupon declared Mr. Gisborne duly elected. The Hon. Mr. Gisborne said—-Gentlemen : Allow me to return you my sincere thanks for the honor you have done me in returning me to be a member of your Education Board. I can assure you that whatever imperfections may exist in the education law, however inadequate may be the materials at the command of the Board, and whatever disadvantages it may labor under, I shall do all I can, and althouglx I do not for a moment lay claim to the high qualifications which my proposer and seconder attribute to me, I will endeavor to the best of my ability to co-operate with my colleagues in diffusing sound education as widely as possible throughout the, px'ovxnoo of Wellington. (Choex-3.) It is the function of the State to secure a minimum standard of secular education for every child in the commxxnity ; but I don’t think tho State should be content with the minimum standai'd, for in addition it should offer such facilities and encouragement tlxat children might bo enabled to raise themselves above that standard and be enabled to roach to the higher education. Schools in other colonies offer such facilities and eu-. couragement in the shape of exhibitions and scholarships, so that a child with ordinary application is enabled by his own energy to make his education self-supporting till he shall have attained tho higher or even highest bi'anches of knowledge. That is a system to which I am favorably inclined ; for wo all know that many of the most eminent men of past and modei'n times have thus reached the eminence they have attained to, and in which they have been able to confer incalculable good upon their fellow-men for all time to come. (Cheers.) I think every parent when he sends his children to a State solxool should know that there is a reasonable prospect that should his child or children use ordinary industry, and be possessed of average ability, they might quality themselves for competing in the higher grades of education, and be able to achieve a position which otherwise wealth alone would monopolise. I said just now that the State should confine itself to giving a minimum standard of secular education, but in saying that I do not for one moment undervalue the importance of the religious part of a child’s education, and it is because I place so much importance on it that I think, the State should not bo the instructor in religion, (Cheers.) I believe that the State

schools are unfitted to deal with that portion of education, and were it to undertake to teach religion, that it would do much more harm tjiau good. (Applause.) Such an attempt would only evoke religious disagreements and sectarian conflicts, and disturb the harmony of the whole community. (Applause.) Therefox’e, the less we meddle with it the better for all parties, for the conflicts I have indicated will be avoided, and religion will be much better taught by the parents and “ the spiritual pastors and masters,” who are the proper guides in such matters, Let the State teach secular education, and do so with the utmost impartiality, and freedom from bias of any nature whatever. lam determined such shall be my course, and in using my best ability to discharge the trust you have imposed upon me, I hope I shall give satisfaction to you. I have only again, gentlemen, to thank you. (Cheers.) A vote of thanks to the Returning Officer terminated the proceedings.