BOARD OF EDUCATION.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4896, 30 November 1876, Page 2

BOARD OF EDUCATION.

A meeting of the Education Board was held yesterday morning. Present—Mr. Pharazyn, chairman, and Messrs. Gisborne, Toomath, Bunny, Boss, and Beetham. The first business was to read the proclamation calling the meeting, which the Secretary, Mr. C. C. Graham, did. Then the appointment of chairman required to be made annually, according to the Act passed last session. Mr. Pharazyn Was reelected. The minutes of the last meeting were then read and confirmed. BANK ACCOUNT. •

The following statement of the hank overdraft was read for the information of the Board :—Old account (Dr.), £6624 19s. Bd.; new account (Cr.), £1235 Bs, 6d.; balance at debit, £5389 11s. 2d., loss cheque withheld, £416, making a total of £4973 lls. 2d., as against the authorized sum of £6OOO.

FINANCIAL POSITION. Some discussion took place regarding the financial position of the Board, and correspondence between the Education department and the Secretary of the Board was read. There had been an impression that a sum of £BOOO was placed on the supplementary estimates to compensate for the abolition of education rates,

but this was found to be incorrect The last letter received from Mr. Bowen in answer to one from Mr, Graham on this subject, inquired what part of the £BOOO which it was said could have been raised from rates was composed of capitation money. The reply was that the £BOOO was exclusive of capitation. No further letter was received from Mr. Bowen, who was down South. The Secretary stated £IBOO was required for immediate necessities. Mr. Bunny suggested that the Secretary should write him a letter setting forth thereqnirements of the Board, and he then could communicate with the Premier on the subject. Mr. GiSbobnb thought this was the correct course to pursue, and members generally agreed in the plan suggested. The Secretary was therefore instructed accordingly. MABTEBTON HIGH SCHOOL. The Kev. Mr. McKee waited on the Board' in reference to the establishment of a superior school for the Masterton district, to be in. connection with the Government school already in existence there. It will be remembered that the Board at a former meeting resolved to comply with the request of the Masterton people on this subject, conditionally upon the residents providing half the cost which would be incurred in the erection of a suitable building. Mr. McKee said that at a meeting held at Masterton on Monday evening last the matter was fully entered into, and those present were of opinion that there would be no difficulty whatever in guaranteeing an attendance of twenty-five children to the higher class school at once, and also that the district would pay one half the expense of any additional'building that might be required. The Secretary was instructed' to write to the Inspector, acquainting him with, what bad taken place. MARKET RESERVE. I A letter was read from the Corporation, accompanying the resolution passed in reference to the above site. The Secretary then read the report of Mr. Tringham, architect, on' his inspection of the Market House. It was to the effect that the necessary alterations to make the house at all suitable for a school would cost something like £7OO or £BOO.

The Board decided that they would net be justified in incurring that expense, and the Secretary was instructed to acquaint the City Council with the determination arrived at, and to decline the offer made by that body with thanks.

The Secretary stated that he had written to the Bev. Mr. Reid, Chairman of the Wesleyan Conference, asking whether arrangements could not be come to so that the Board might on terms have the use of the Dixonstreet school, but had received no reply. Mr. Toomath was requested to visit Mr, Reid, and open the subject again, and the matter was accordingly left over till the next meeting of the Board.

inspector’s report. The report of the Inspector having reference to several matters in country districts, in connection with different schools, was read, and most of the suggestions therein contained were agreed to.

MR, MARTIN AND THE BOARD. The question of the piece of land which Mr. Martin presented to the Hntt school in 1868, was again brought forward by the Secretary, who stated that he had since last meeting had another consultation with Mr. Brandon, solicitor to the Board, and that that gentleman had altered bis opinion as to the position of the Board in respect to' this piece of land. He thought the Board could compel Mr. Martin to give them a title. It was decided that before action was taken Mr. Brandon should be again consulted.

HALCOMB E. The Local'Committee wrote, stating that only one tender had been received for the erection of the proposed school, Messrs. Everest being the tenderers for £298, or £l2 additional if it should be decided to use kauri for flooring. The tender was referred to Mr. Toxward, and the Finance Committee were authorised to accept should his Report be favor* able.

Some routine business having been transacted the Board Adjourned.