EDUCATION BOARD.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5846, 24 December 1879, Page 3

EDUCATION BOARD.

The ordinary monthly meeting of this body was hold at a quarter-past eleven o’clock yesterday morning. Present The Hon. C. J. Pharazyn (in the chair), Ven. Archdeacon Stock, Rev. J. Paterson, Dr, Newman, Messrs. C. Pharazyn, E, Toomath, and H. Bunny. The statement of accounts was brought up, and it was intimated by the Chairman that the only money available up to next June was £I2OB 12s. 3d. He also stated that the Board now had power to sell certain reserves if they thought proper. The Hon. C. J. Pharazyn was appointed a Commissioner of Reserves, in place of Mr. Gisborne, who had ceased to hold that position. The following members were balloted out of the Board :—Dr. Newman, and Messrs. Beetham and Toomath. It was resolved that the first meeting of school committees should take place on the same day as the election, and immediately after the close of the same ; the place in each case being the schoolhouse. A letter was read from the Minister _of Education, asking for an estimate for school buildings required for the year 1880. The Secretary stated, in reply to a question, that the estimate in question was £13,000. Mr. Bunny said there could be no doubt that the time had now come to cut down the cost of educational buildings at least onehalf. The Rev. Mr. Paterson agreed with Mr. Bunny that it was perfectly absurd to put in such claims as these. Mr, Bunny reminded the Board that out of this £13,000 the sum of £12,000 was for schools in the city of Wellington alone. The Ven. Archdeacon Stock stated that there were nearly 2000 children at the present time who were not being educated.The Chairman said there was little pressure outside of Wellington for school buildings. Mr. Bunny gave it as his opinion that Wellington had the lion’s share in these matters. Mr. Toomath, in reply to this, said the Board had systematically tried to keep Wellington back, instead of giving it more than its due. Mr. Bunny replied to this remark, and suggested the formation of a committee to consider the whole matter. He wanted to do no injury to Wellington, but only justice to the whole district. Mr. Toomath was again about to address the chair, when Mr. Bunny said they must have order in their proceedings, and members ought only to speak once. Mr. Toomath reminded Mr. Bunny that he had spoken twice. Mr. Bunny retorted that this might be, but it bad only been to put Mr. Toomath down. Mr. Toomath replied that ho was not so easy to be put down. He objected to be sat upon by Mr. Bunny. The Rev. Mr. Paterson moved that the memorandum of estimate laid before them by their secretary be referred to a committee—either to the whole of the Board, or to a special committee. Tile matter was a very important one. and should be carefully considered by the committee, which he moved should meet for the special purpose on the second Tuesday in January next. Mr. C. Pharazyn wished the committee to draw up a list embodying all necessary particulars, which might be sent to the Government, so that they could see tho position and requirements of the district. Ultimately, after some further discussion, the motion of the Rev. Mr. Paterson was agreed to, and the matter referred to the Standing Committee. In the course of some remarks made by Archdeacon STOCK on the subject, that gentleman stated that the census showed that in March, 1878, there were 2172 girls and. 2236 boys in Wellington, of which number there were 1170 girls and 1385 boys attending school, leaving a balance of 1853 children of school age who were attending ho educational establishment whatever. Mr. Taylor, the Chairman of the Tawa Elat school, Waited upon the Board, and asked for a certain grant for repairs that had been done to the school. After some discussion, the Board granted the sum of £2l, the applicant saying that was all that was required by the committee—“ at present.” Seventeen applications were received for the position of a teacher for the Nowtown school. Mr. Bunny moved that the letters be referred to a committee, consisting of the Ven. Archdeacon Stock, Rev. Mr. Paterson, Dr. Newman, and Mr. Toomath, to go through the letters, and bring up a recommendation to the Board. The motion was agreed to. The Board then went into committee, and after transacting some business of minor importance, adjourned.