EDUCATION BOARD.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5034, 2 May 1878, Page 2

EDUCATION BOARD.

- The ordinary monthly meeting of the Education Board was held at the Education Offices, yesterday. Present -the Hon. C. J. Pharazyn, M.L;O. (chairman), George Bertham, E. Topmath, C. Pharazyn, the Hon. W. Gisborne, the Ven. Archdeacon Stock, and the 'Rev: James Paterson. ■ ■. ' ; ; < _ ; : j; '-.MINUTES. : The Inspector (Mr. Lee) read the minutes of the last meeting, which were read and confirmed. ' BANK ACCOUNT, The Inspector laid a statement before the Board showing that the balance at the bank was £2875 15s. 6d., ■ but that the actual balance at the disposal of the Board was ; £2250. A letter was received from the Education Department stating that the sum of £2OOO would be paid into the bank to the Board’s account next week. The Inspector, in answer to one. of the members, replied that the amount to the Board’s credit would cover all liabilities. ■ j A letter was received from the Secretary of the Education Board to the effect that to meet the Board's more pressing claims a. voucher,for £2OOO had been passed. A ; The Inspector remarked that it was impos-, sible almost to ascertain how the Board stood financially, as so much of the income depended upon contingent liabilities which could not-be arrived at beforehand. SCHOOL BOOKS. ; A letter was read from the Educational De- 5 partmeut, dated 16 th April, stating that half - the books at present in use in the public schools, and which are recommended by Boards, will be included in the list, with the exception of particular books, against the use of wjjfcfjJ some grave objection may be justly, tyged.l There will perhaps be added some books of recognised excellence not yet introduced by. any Board. l)leanwhile it is not desirable; that any important change should be ;made with regard to the books at present in use in any schools. ■ • ■■ ■ ,* ■ ■. -■ 7.

THE WANOANDI BOARD. The Secretary of the Wanganui Board wrote] stating that at the last meeting of their Board it was resolved that the accounts between the Wellington Education Board and their Board he settled without unnecessary delay ; and inasmuch as the statements of accounts are not satisfactory, that,the Wei-/, lington Board be required .to consent to the appointment by Government of a suitable person to. adjust tho accounts between the,.two Boards and determine the amount of property falling to the share of each. On the motion of Mr. Bunnt, seconded by Mr. Toosiath, it was resolved that the Chairman and. Messrs. Hutchison and Paterson be a committee to communicate with the Wanganui Board as to the of the library graut, and to ascertain what money . they had at their disposal in regard, to the library fund. - Mr. Paterson asked if, there had been any. communication on the subject with the/Wan-, ganui Board, and was told by the Inspector that there had not.;. : qualification of teachers. A-letter was received from the EducationDepartment in reference to the qualification of teaoh«rs, stating that /vgith regard to the regulations for the examination and qualification of teachers, aud for the issue of certificates in accordance with the provisions of the Education Act, the Secretary had been directed to state that it is the desire of the Government to interfere as little as possible with the existing regulations of the several Boards, and ask----ing the Board to follow for the present its usual mode of ascertaining the qualifications of ‘ candidates for appointment. Mr. Lee said that the contents of the letter 1 practically confined the Board to pupil teachers’ examination. Under the head of this class - there were three divisions in each class. They rose from the last divisions, aud if good reports were received they < were put, into the third. ,;-i .- ‘ i i a . , ... Mr. Paterson thought (that the present classification of teachers was not satisfactory,

- and instanced the fact that many men who might be able to pass a high examination were ■ ' not at all fitted to teach the lower branches of jyf r XiEE agreed with the remarks of Mr, Paterson, and thought there was 'great room for modification. ■ . .. . ... , r Mr. Gisborne also coincided with Mr. Paterson. , • A MODEST REQUEST. . ; . Hr. Valentine, secretary to the Hntt school committee, wrote asking the Board to supply them with a covered vehicle to convey the children to school. Mr. Bunny thought it would be a bad precedent to grant such a request. If the Board supplied a coach they would have applications from all the country schools. It was resolved not to grant the request. A -HIGH SCHOOL GRANT. Mr. Bee said that the Wellington Board could not claim any part of the grant laid aside for scholarships for higher education, unless they had a high school., .He .thought that perhaps the College Governors might be requested to allow a certain inspection, according to the Act, which would bring it under the schedule. If this was (lone there would he three annual scholarships in the lower schools." The College also would gain three pupils. ‘ . ’ Mr. Bunny said he believed this matter had been dismissed by the Press a few ago. He would however Hike to have more minute .details regarding the matter by the next meet* ing of the Board. The Inspector thought the, difficulty could over by having a normal school. * ' It was proposed by Mr. Bonny, and seconded • by Mr. Gisborne, that ’ Messrs. Toomath, . Stock, and Beetham bo appointed to enquire , into the matter.—Carried. - ELECTION OP FINANCE COMMITTEE. - Mr. Bonny moved, and Mr. Hutchison seconded, that the Chairman, the Ven. Archdeacon Stock, and Messrs. Gisborne and Bunny be elected a Pinance Committee.—Carried.

eddcation.il bdildings. Mr. Paterson said he hoped that when the Board accepted any new tenders for educational buildings more care would be taken in reference to their style. He considered large porches with Gothic roofs were objectionable. He thought the acoustic properties of these kind' of-’ ’buildings : were bad, and ...being .. so, a teacher could not instruct his classes so well as in an ordinarily constructed room. He had lately been inside the Te Aro schoolhouse, * and he did not like its construction at all. He thought with regard to future -plans there should be some particular instruction given to the architect to remedy what he considered ail evil. After some other conversation on the subject the matter was referred to a building committee consisting of Archdeacon Stock, the Rev. Mr. Paterson, and Messrs. Bunny and Hutchison. . . . T

karoeT school. ■ ; A tender of £l2 was accepted for painting the Karori schoolhouse KAIWARRA SCHOOL. ’ The Board resolved to expend £lB 8s on the Kniwarra school, for repairs. : HIGH CLASS EDUCATION. . It was resolved, on the motion of Mr. Beetham, that the consideration of the subject of a higher class system of education for; the educational districts be referred to the committee appointed to'' consider the question - of a normal , school and other kindred subjects. , , ■ WELLINGTON DISTRICT SCHOOLS. Letters were received from the chairmen of the newly-appointed school .committees. It was resolved that they shonldmeet at an early date. A QUERY. Mr. Hutchison said -he:'.would like to know how it was that Mrs. Francis, an uncertifioated teacher, received a salary of £2OO a year. , .. _ ~, , ■ The Inspector replied that it was passed by the Board to give her that salaiy. He might say in explanation that he did not think it was altogether necessary to have a certificated teacher for an infant school. He would, however, say that he had received, very, flattering letters from teachers in Melbourne, congratulating the Wellington ’- Board upon having secured Mrs. Francis’s services.-;’ mr. J. Doherty’s claim.

It will be remembered perhaps that Mr. J. Doherty, formerly a schoolmaster, was dismissed from the department with one month’s notice. This he declined to take. He was then dismissed from the school for gross misconduct. .The Board then received a letter from Messrs. Barton and Fitzherbert, threatening an action for wrongful dismissal, and claiming compensation for the same. The-Board then went into committee, and decided _to give no compensation. Before the Board adjourned they agreed to hold their meetings in future on the last Wednesday, in. the, month, instead of the first, as heretofore. ■' "