BOARD OF EDUCATION.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 4997, 29 March 1877, Page 2

BOARD OF EDUCATION.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the above Board was held yesterday, there being present —Mr. C. J. Pharazyn (chairman), and Messrs. Dalrymple and Toomath. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. BANK ACCOUNT. The Secretahy stated the bank balance tebe £3353. TB AHO SCHOOL The Secretary read a letter from the Vestry of St. Peter's Church, enclosing the following resolution passed by the Vestry: — " The Vestry have read the remarks made by Mr. Lee, in reference to Mr. Holmes' conduct of the Te Aro school with much surprise, inasmuch as during the twenty years Mr. Holmes was in charge of that school, under the Vestry, he always proved himself a most valuable and efficient master, and no complaint was ever made against him. The Vestry have always had full confidence in Mr. Holmes, and they see no reiison whatever to withdraw that confidence. They would suggest that in any future, inspection of the Te Aro schoof the Vestry should be invited to attend." The Secretary was instructed to inform the Vestry that their letter had been received, and that the Board did not consider that anything had been alleged to controvert Mr. Lee's statements with respect to the school. Mr. Lee said that in a large number of schools the parents, and friends of the.scholars were present during his examination, and the members of the Vestry could be present if they thought proper. ... Y. TAITA SCHOOL. In reference to the i Inspectors' report, a letter was received from the local committee, stating the opinion that Mr. Sinclair should be heard in re the complaint against him. Mr. Lee said this school was the weakest in the province, and he had little hope of Mr. Sinclair ever proving' a competent teacher. And in reference to this, he might state that as Inspector of Schools he had fully made up his mind so long as he occupied the position to tell the plain truth regarding the class of work done in the different schools.

After further discussion," duriDg which the Chairman expressed confidence in the judgment Mr. Lee, it was resolved that Mr. Sinclair should be given an opportunity of bein;* heard, or he could make his statement in writing. THORNDON SCHOOL. A letter was read from the Rev. Mr. Harvey, representing, an extreme case of hardship, a widow named Mrs. Reid being unable to pay for her children, and it was accordingly resolved to remit the fees. TEKHACE SCHOOL. The consideration of the application for the erection of a small gymnasium in connection with this Bchool was adjourned for a month. It was resolved that the ground in connection with the school should be fenced. GUEATFORD. The tender of Messrs.. McLuskey and Gear for the erection of a teacher's residence for £lB5 was accepted. , HALCOMBE SCHOOL. Mr, Humphrey's application for the mastership of the Halcombe school was referred to the Inspector. _'..-. _..... . .. r . , FEATHERBTON SCHOOL. Ths tender of Mr. Tucker for £4OO for building a teacher's residence and making additions to the school was accepted/ SOUTH MAKARA SCHOOL. ""- '•'■: A deputation consisting'of Messrs. Mona : ghan,j Sievers,- and McLeavy waited 1 on the Board and requested that the half-time school at South Makara might not be abolished in favor 'of the full-time school at North Makara.' It was pointed out by t;he deputation that the recent meeting held on the subject by residents jof the district; had not come to a conclusion satisfactory to the people of South Makara, who objected to the school being abolished, of which they had for a, number of years: felt the. benefit, and which was in the immediate neighborhood of several families. Mr Toosiath suggested that they should give the full-time school atrial. Mr Monaghan said it would be impossible for the. children to walk so far as the North Makara school during the winter months, and urged upon the Board to grant the prayer of the petition. . • After some discussion, the Board resolved that the two half-time schools should be continued, bxit that no expenditure on the South Makara school should be incurred until the deed \of conveyance of the land from the trustees to the Board'had been signed. other business. Several other matters of minor importance were disposed df. The question of fencing the teacher's residence at Palmerston was left to' Mr. ©alrymple, and the application for school buildings at Awahuri'and Tahui were favorably • considered, but nothing definite decided on. .