BOARD OF EDUCATION.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5534, 21 December 1878, Page 3

BOARD OF EDUCATION.

The usnal meeting of the Board was held at 11.15 a.m. yesterday. Present—Messrs. Pharazyn (chairman), Gisborne, Toomath, Pharazyn, Bunny, Beetham, and tho "Ven. Archdeacon Stock. FINANCIAL. Credit at the bank, £4115 Is. lid.; payments made, £1687 17s. 6d. ; payments required, £1490 19s. 9d. RETIRING MEMBERS. The Act requiring that three members of the Board should retire, the name 3 of all the members were written on separate pieces of paper and placed in a hat. It was resolved that the first three names drawn should be the retiring members. The three names drawn were those of the Chairman, Archdeacon Stock, and the Kev, J. Paterson. To comply with the 15th clause of the Act, the aforesaid three members were then balloted out. BUILDING COMMITTEE'S REPORT. v A report was read from the Building Committee, strongly recommending the Board to purchase from Mr. Toxward his land in Sydney-street, as a site for a girls' Bchool; price, £2150. The Chairman and the Hon. Mr. Gisbobnb opposed the purchase. The former considered the price far too high; the latter thought there was no necessity to purchase this site, as they had been promised a site on the Reclaimed land. Mr. Bunny said there was no certainty about it; and the site in Sydney-strett was the most eligible site for a girls' school that could be obtained. He thought the price asked no higher than that paid for other land in Wellington of equally good situation. He begged to move that the report of the committee be adopted. The V«vs. Archdeacon Stock seconded. Ayes, i : Messrs. Bunny, Beetham, Toomath, and the Ven. Archdeacon Stock. Noes, 3 : The Chairman, tho Hon. Mr. Gisborne, and Mr. Pharazyn. MB. ABHSTRONG'B CLAIM. Mr. Lee informed the Board that Mr. Armstrong, late a teacher in the employment of the Board, had issued a summons for £27 2s. He had been offered £ls 18s. 6d. It was resolved that Mr. Armstrong be offered £l6 10s. 6d., amount due to him as shown by Mr. Leo's amended statement, and that the case be defended in the Kesident Magistrate's Court if a further amount be demanded. CORRESPONDENCE. A large amount of departmental correspondence was read. A letter was read intimating that the sum of £BOOO had been voted for school buildings during the current year. A letter was read, stating that the Government were prepared to pay capitation on children of any ago. A letter was read, stating that the Government would not insure school buildings, or provide a special grant for that purpose. Th» question of insurance must be left to the discretion of the several Education Boards. A letter was read, intimating that the Board's proportion of tho amount of the £SOOO voted for libraries was £415 155., which would bo paid over on certain conditions being complied with.

A letter was read, stating that the-Govern-ment were prepared to vote £BO to each Board to defray the expensos of four teachers who might attend a training school for two months, or a proportionate amount for a fewer number.

Tho opinion of the Board was that the amount was far too email for such a purpose. A lotter was read, stating that whatever reasonable claims to exemption from examination in science were involved in teachers' replies to the circular of the Inspector-General, dated April last, would bo considered in a liberal sens* before teachers were advised what classification was to be granted in each ease, and that on their receiving advico on that point an opportunity would occur for them to put in any fresh ■ claims, which also would receive full consideration. DEPUTATION. A deputation wa3 received from tho Pahautanui Small Farms Settlement, urging the immediate erection of a school in that settlement. The Board agreed to have the Bchool erected without delay, and to authorise the committee to call for tenders for a Bchool similar to that at Mungoroa. The deputation thanked tho Board, and withdrew. PETOHB, A letter was read from the inhabitants of Petone, applying for the establishment; of a school there. Referred to tho building committee, Greytown. The sum of £IOO was voted for a master's residence at Greytown, in addition to the 4200 already appropriated. It was resolved that the appointment of

- teachers' committee should confer with the local committee on the question of the ap- " pointment of a teaching staff for the Greytown , school. CAPITATION. ' A letter was received from Mr. Plowden, asking for a capitation grant from the Board. ' As the Board had never recognised Mr. [ I'lowden's school, they considered ho had no claim for capitation. ' RESIGNATION'. Miss Humphreys' resignation as a teacher iu the Greytown school was accepted. MATARAWA SCHOOL \.n application was received from the committee of this school to have certain work done, which the Board authorised to have carried out. MASTKRTON. A letter was received from the Masterton jchopl committee, thanking the Board for voting a sum of money for school building in the district. A letter was received from the same committee relative to an increase of teaching power, improving the school grounds, &c. The Board authorised the erection of a gallery in the schoolroom. It was also decided to authorise the appointment of an assistant. JOHNSONVILLE. An application was received for the readjustment of the boundaries of the school district. The application was granted. A letter was read from Mr. T. Freethy, with reference to the establishment of a school at Cotterville. Referred to the Greytown school committee. ' INCREASE OF SALAKT. The Board declined to accede to Miss Devereux's application (Mount Cook girls' school) for an increase of salary. IE ARO COMMITTEE, A letter was read from this committee relative to refusal of admission for want of space. . Another letter was read from the same committee relative to Mr, Gordon being appointed te Greytown, and no one being appointed in his place in the Te Aro school. The Board regretted that any inconvenience had arisen, but the case was very urgent, and there was no alternative. Another letter was received from the same committee, urging upon the Board the erection of new school buildings. Authority was given for the preparation of plans for a new infant school, to accommodate 300. After the transaction of some business of a routine nature the Board adjourned.