PATEA EDUCATION BOARD.

Patea Mail, Volume 1, Issue 33, 4 August 1875, Page 2

PATEA EDUCATION BOARD.

* —_ The regular moniliiy meeting of the above Board was held at the Court House on Monday morning last. In the absence ni lira Chairman (Captain Wray) Mr Mili'ov was voted to the chain* Present—.Vicss:3 Milroy, Furlong, Middlomas, and Christie. MINUTES. The minutes of the previous meeting were ivad and confirmed.cojiition'oximxcK. From Mr (4. W. Williams requesting information as to whether the Board would hr -prepared to protect any improvements in u.lo upon sections having- boundaries coLermimis with the reserves shortly to be handed over to the Board. Mr Middlemas considered it nnadvisable to entertain the matter in the absence of a full Board. At present it bad no oliicial information as to their power to deal with the reserves, lie moved that the consideration of the letter be held over. From Major Turner, again requesting IHo key of the Ilawora Blockhouse to be replaced, or a new lock lixed on the door at the expense of the E.lucational Board. Mr Midulemas considered that it wouhl be a pity to carry on a squabble for the value of the key, but believed that the old Board was really res lousible. However, as the Patea Board took over their affairs, and had accepted their assets and liabilities, lie bad no doubt but that they was c now responsible. He moved —“ That tbs Secretary be instructed to institute inquiries as to the date the key was lost and report next meeting. Mr Christie seconded the motion, and after a somewhat prolonged discussion as ■o the Board’s liability in ibo matte!-, it was carried.

Prom John Ginger, Chairman Miuutahi Blockhouse Committee, offering the use of t!io Blockhouse for one year for £l, on conditions that the Board would be responsible for the furniture, and leave the room in decent order every Saturday. Mr Middlemas doubled the Committee’s power to exact rent, as the building had been vested in it for public purposes until required by the Government, but as the rent was merely nomina', he considered it would not be worth while to dispute the matter, as the Committee bad laid out a considerable sum in furniture, &c. The Hawera Blockhouse had been obtained without any remuneration, and it was wellknown that the building had been left in a frightful condition after the Sunday Services, and perhaps they would experience the same thing at Manulahi, as that building was frequently used for Sabbath Services. lie moved that the offer be accepted on condition that the Board obtain undisturbed possession, and that the rent date from the opening of the school._ Mr Furlong seconded,the motion, which was came l. Mr Christie’s statements.

Mr Middlemas desired to call the Board’s attention to a meeting which had been held at Manulahi during the previous week, at which Mr Christie, had made certain statements calculated to mislead the public unacquainted with the circumstances. Mr Christie—Perhaps Mr Middlemas would point out the statements which he refers to. I am not aware of having uttered anything that can be refuted. Mr Middlemas—Am I to understand that you admit your speech published in the Pa’J’ea Mail to bo a correct report ? Mr Christie—Yes, every word. Mr Middlemas —I ain glad of that, as it will simplify matters. We have your admitted statements registered in black and white. You stated at the meeting that one member of the Board urged the establishment of a school at Burke’s, Will you please name to the Board who that member was ? Mr Christie—Yes ; it was Mr Middlemas. Mr Middlemas—You surely" must bo 'labouring under an erroneous impression. I refer you t j Mr Lee’s report, -and you will find the recommendation contained in it. I admit that if there was'no probable increase in the number of children the site would be preferable, but as the children were daily.,increasing it would,be unwise to fix the site at Burke’s., The Inspector recommended that no school should be established nearer than six miles apart. I admit that there is a great deal of force in the '-suggestion, but I consider that the present circumstances of the Kakariirr-a aud Manutaki districts denial id the establishment of schools on the halftime system. In fact, I have all along

favour'd th *ir establishment, and in proof of Vvdii 'li I Wi.u’d ask Mr Ouwcrn to iva! over certain resolutions which 1 have Carrie 1 on the subject, from which it would Sir scon win* lull taken the in wt active slops lo secure tho establishment of the schools.

Mr (Jiirisiie apprais'd to the other two memlurs of {lie Board if Mr Middlemas had uoi. cited coriain < 1 i-*t, ic-ts in Auckland in support of Ins advocacy tor the erection of a schoolhou u at Burke’s.

,Mv Middlcnus felt marc convinced than ever that Mr Christie was mistaken, as lie knew nothing’ about Auckland. ■Mr Mbroy -remembered some reference having been nude to the subject, but could not exactly state what it was. Mr Middlemas was quite prepared, to admit that Mr Lee’s suggestion was n valuable one. There, were Kid children under 13 years, of ago resident in the Hawera district, and again repeated Hut he had always favoured the establishment of a school at Kakariimea and Manutabi. [The Secretary iu.ro read the following extracts - from minutes dated November Olh and December 7th, respectively:—Proposed by Mr Middlemas, seconded by Mr Milroy—“ That the Board provide ateapber to attend hall'-timo school at Kakaragnea and Mauntabi as soon as the settleiV at Kakaramci provide, a suitable building for educational purposes,” December 7 Proposed by Mr Middlemas, seconded by Mr tdiristic—“ That the Secretary write to Mr Williams of Kakaramea informing him of the Board’s wibiugiuss to rout the hall for twelve months at a rental, not exceeding TIG per annum. Mot : on was carried.] It will be seen that Mr Milroy and himself urged that a school should be built at Kakarainca, and even went so far as to delay toe erection iof the Hawera school for same time in favour of Kakariimea. Mr drastic had;repeatedly said that the Beard was corrupt, and had charged members with not doing their duty. He (Mr Middlemas) considered that there was too much local jealousy manifested, which was likr’y to be attended witii injurious results.

Mr Christie-—Can the speaker inform me who said that the members of the Board were corrupt ? Mr Middlemas—lt is a plain inference to be drawn from your speech.at Manutahi.

Mr Milroy advised the mmihers to drop the discussion, and coniine their attention to the business before the Board. Mr Middlemas said evidently Mr Christie had made a mistake. There was no occasion for advising- the settlers to agitate in the matter, as the whole thing was decided. Mr Christie su'd that Mr Mid llamas had repeatedly sneered at the propositions, for the opening of a school at M.umtaiii, and had gone so far as to say that at the most two children m'ght he found to attend. Mr Middlemas arid I hat both Mr Peacock and himse ! f had made careful inquiries as to the number of chil Iren likely to attend the Manutahi school, and learnt that 0 or 8 would immediately he available. He considered that even with this snnll nu über, it would be better to commence too soon than too late;

Mr Christie —All I can say is, if I was mistaken, I am prepared to apologise, but I believe I am .correct.

Mr Furlong' remembered some discussion about the establishment of a half-time school at M.-mutahi - and Kukaramea, hut did not think (hat Mr Middleman bad ever objected to their establishment, or favoured the substitution of a school at Burke’s. He was of opinion that members had better coniine their alteniiou to manors which ready occurred at llio Board's-meeting's, ilisten i oil going- outside. Ho regretted that Mr Christie shou'd ba.'o made the dis-rcspe.-t'ul allusioni against the Board at Cue Mnnutahi meeting. He (Mr Furlong) represented no partieudar district, and he was at a loss to understand how Mr Christie claimed to represent . Manuta.bi and Kakar.imca. Mr Christie again r unarked “ that he was always at a loss to understand the Boards views.” It must have, been well known to linn that the Board always favoured the building of the school at Kakaramoa, but the ton,levs received for its erection were far above Mr Mi’roy’s estimate.

Mr Christie said lie a’ways felt that he occupied a peculiar position at the Boaxd, as his res 1 rtions were systemitically defeated. He remembered on one occasion proposing that a seal should be procured, as, without it, the Board held no legal standing in a Court of justice. Because it emanated from him it was lost. Again, learning that the Board had the sum of £I2OO lying to the credit of its current account at the Bank, lie-moved that it was advisable to place part of that sum at deposit. Tins was also lost. Shortly after another member proposed and successfully carried the same resolution. After that he refrained from moving - any further resolutions, and contended himself with listening to other members.

Mr Furlong would like to ask the last speaker if lie ever proposed a resolution in favour of establishing a school at either Kakaramea or Mgnutabi which elicited the opposition of any member of the Board ? Mr Christie—No ; I did not, because I feared if I had it would have shared the same fate as all my other resolutions. He considered that the Board’s' calling for tenders for the erection of the Kakaramea school was a mere blind to the settlers. Mr Middlemas—Mr Christie is quite cor-rect-about the seal —it certainly should have been procured. Other members’ resolutions frequently sustained defeat, and ho feared Mr Christie was possessed of rather, sensitive - feelings on that point. Had Mr Christie proposed the resolution, he would gladly have supported and done everything in his power to assist in giving giving 'it effect. It was not- the hi st, second, third, or - fourth time that Mr Christie had stated; that he (the -speaker) wc.s adverse to,agythiilg proposed in favour of Manutabi or Kakaramea. Mr Mih-oy,—l: see nothing ,V3ry wrong about Mr Cii -jstie making comments concri rhig a member of the Board.

Mr Chrlsiio said his reason for attendin'? the Manutahi meeting was to elicit an expression of opinion as to the favoured site.

Mr Milroy was glad that the settlers had expressed an opinion. • Mr Christie—-Wo!i, my private opinion is tiiat Mr Min'd! -mas was inch’ne.l to advocate tiie building of the school near itlli'ke’x.

Mr Middleman—Evidently your suspicions mind, Mr Christie led you into that h.-ii-r. ... 1 The* Secretary remarked that when tlm m tmiders for the erection of the KakaramoSjp ■schoo’honse fell lit vngh, t was decided on", the suggestion of Mr Milroy to, write to Mr Williamson, asking for the use of thof Kakaramea Town Hall for school purposes. Mr Milroy considered that the absence of a sdhool at Kakaramca was in a great measure due to the apathy of the settlers in not pushing forward the erection of thehall, as Ihp Board was promised possession on Hie Ist July last. The discussion was then allowed to drop.

TEACHER’S KKSIDEXCK Mr Middleman said that as it was de--cidod to open a school at Manntabi and Kakaramca it would be well for the Board to take stops to build a teacher’s residence at the latter place. Mr Christie would bo more favourable to the erection of a permanent school building than a teacher’s residence. The mat-or was allowed to stand over: KX S MXfXATiUX HAWHRA TEACHER. Mr Christie inquired if any steps had' been taken to examine the gentleman’s qualifications in charge of the Ilawera school. Mr Middleman considered that it wool I he better to leave the- teacher’s examinalion in the hands of Mr Lee. [A long and acrimonious cU wnssioii ensued, the matter imported into which wo deem advisable to eliminate from our report.] RESIUXATIOX CARLYLE SCHOOL COMMrrt’ktel A letter war read from Hie Carlyle, Local School Committee, tendering their resigna-’ tiou. Mr Milroy said he very much regretted the coin- c taken by that body, bat seeing Mr W. Williams pro rent, he would like to hear from 1 that gentleman the reasons which prompted the re-agnation. Mr W. Williams said that the principal reason was that thei" duties were not definitely defined, and such being the case, they considered it would be bet ter to do away willithe committee altogether. It was believed that some amendment would have been effected in the Act at the last session of t] e 1 Council, with a view of belter defining thecommittee's powers. However, no adoration in 1 hat direction was c rried, and the committee came to the conclusion that it would be bettor to tender their resignation?, as they feared that they would Ire likely to encroach upon the Boards’ affairs. Mr Christie regretted the step taken by the committee, but the Board would have to provide for the election of anolher. Mr M'ddlomas moved—“ That the resignations be accepted. He said that the Act was a very poor on , Mr Furlong seconded the motion, and said’ that the Board had no alternative but toaccept the resignations, seeing that it couldnot compel them to act, • The motion was carried. I’LTIL TEACHER FOR CARLYLE Mi- Middlomas said as a member of the Board he was always anxious to carry out Mr Lee’s rccommctidalion. That gentleman had advised the appointment of im assistant teacher to the Carlyle school, but that was beyond the Board’s means. He, however, was decidedly in favour of the appointment of a pupil teacher, and moved—" That Miss Willi ims b'. app i Led pupil teacher at a salary of £ls per year.” It was more pleasant to rise than reduce. Mr Furlong seconded the motion but would like to see a little more done at Ketema , -"c, Manutahi, and Kakaramea. However, fo' such a paltry sum of £ls. he would not Ijkc to cripple the efficiency of the Carlyle schooL Mr Christie was in favour of it to a uer ain extent, but preferred to see the matter delayed till the Board saw what funds it would have at its disposal. He would like to see fresh tenders invited for the erection of the Kakaramea school.

Mr Middlemas—An agreement has already been entered into with the Town Hall Company. Mr Furlong would like 1o see schools erected at Kcremarea and Kakaramoa, independent of other buildings. The motion was carried. KAKARAMEA SCHOOL. Mr Middlemas moved—“ That the Secretary be instructed to communicate with the Chairman of the Kakaramoa Town Hall, urging the necessity of completing- the erection of the hall without delay. The motion was seconded by Mr Christie, and carried. KETEMAKAE SCHOOL. Mr Furlong intimated that he would move at the next meeting of the Board that tenders be invited for the erection of the Kctemarac school. Mr Milroy considered that it would be advisable to collect certain data in order to guide the Board in selecting a teacher suitable for the proposed school. Mr Middlemas moved — “ That Mr Furlong and the mover be appointed to ascertain the number of children, and their ages, likely to attend the Ketemarae school. Mr Christie seconded the resolution, which was carried. EDUCATIONAL RESERVES. Mr Middlemas moved—“ That the Secretary be instructed to ; telegraph to Captain Wray, and also to communicate with the Superintendent by the 'first mail, requesting them to use their influence with the Government in speedily obtaining the Governor's assent to the Amended Educational Bill . Mr Christie seconded the motion, which was carried. , . FINANCE. The following accounts were ordered ro be paid— Dingle Bros - - £~> 4s J. So'uthby - - - - £5 os' Batea Mail - -- - • £1 7s ■ — Rogers .g- , ’ -•- - Is fid Wanganui Herald - - £i) 4s The Board then adjourned till the 6th September.