PATEA EDUCTION BOARD.

Patea Mail, Volume I, Issue 63, 17 November 1875, Page 2

PATEA EDUCTION BOARD.

The Board held their usual monthly meeting- on Monday last, there being present Messrs Milroy, Goutts, Fuelong; Christie, Middle-mas, and Mcßae. Mr Goutts was, after a little discussion, appointed chairman, ]>ro icm. The minutes of the last meeting Wore read and confirmed. CORRESPONDENCE. From Captain Wray, resigning his seal and chairmanship of the Board, and thanking the members for the courtesy and consideration that, had been shown him (hiring- his term of office. From Mr Dyer, master of the Garljdo School, asking that he should be paid ,£3 for three of his pupils that had passed the standard, being an allowance of £1 each ; that, he should be reimbursed the house rent lie bad paid during the past year, and that he should be paid £ 10 for the tuition of the lately appointed pupil teacher. A letter from the inspector was read, deprecating the appointment of a Mr Junes as a master, and giving reasons why he was an unsuitable person.

A cumuiunieatiou was read from the Superintendent’s office, enclosing a letter from the Colonial Secretary, which notified that His Excellency had assented to the Patea Education Public Reserves Trust Ordinance.

The letter from the Superintendent was rt ceived.

inspector’s report.

The following report, based on the late visit of the Inspector to this district was read :—-

Wellington. October 28, 1875

Sir, —1 Rave nuuK my Kocnnd examination and third inspection of the two schools under your Board. As these schools are now complete as to their buildings, playgrounds, and furniture, my report will be mainly confined lo die educational results. The Carlyle Hchool on the whole is in a satisfactory condition. My first impression of the value of the work done hy Mr Dyer is now fully confirmed. 1 examined this school on the (Jlh instant, and found 5(5 children present out of a total Of 58, who had attended at all during the past month. This was an increase of J5 on the number present at my last visit. The examination resulted in a return of 33 on the hooks now passed in Standard 1, It! passed in Standard 11. and 2 passed in S.andard HI. The. school is doing good wont, and the progress made is considerable, as the now passes were mostly made hy children who failed to pass on a former occasion. I recommend that more oral instruction be given, that script writing, as contained in the new sequel to No. 1 and 2 of the Royal Reader, be introduced in the lower classes, and that the arithmetical work be more frequently revised. The work in arithmetic was, however, good throughout (he school. It is also desirable that the reading should he more articulate ; and more particular attention should be paid to the cultivation of habits of order and cleanliness. Since my last visit the large playground has been fenced, and the whole property is now in excellent order. A water-tank will be required. I recommend the adoption hy your Board of a new form of attendance register, which I have drawn up for one in the Wellington Province ; and also of a new History of Britain, in two parts, published in flic Nelson Royal Series. I still notice the absence of girls in any number at this school. Now that a competent female pupil teacher has been appointed to assist MrJ)yer, 1 hope more girls will avail themselves of the really sound education imparted. Care should be taken by the master to keep the boys apart from the girls indifferent sections of the playground. They should also sit apart as much as possible in the school-room, and the girls should be dismissed a few minutes before the boys. 1 have much pleasure in asking you to presentthe enclosed certificates to Thomas G. Hirst and Hugh Goutts, who passed Standard ill. The Hawera School is in an unsatisfactory state. I could find no evidence of good useful teaching; the English reading especially was bad; and the general tone, discipline, and management showed a want of method, painstaking, and good influence. There were 38 present on the day of examination (Oct. 7) out of a total of 42 on the books. Eiglit more, children were present than at my last visit in the old blockhouse. There are now 19 children passed in Standard I, and 11 ;

ill Standard 11. Although there were several candidates who might have been expected to jiass in Standard 111, all failed ; and only one or two neW passes were made by ,children previously examined. The new school and its belongings . form an excellent, property, suitable in all respects, The temporary posts and rails might he removed, as they are unsightly and useless. A large black board should he screwed to the side of the wall between the fireplace and the east window. Even in a school of this size, I.think the employment of a pupil teacher would he a judicious expenditure of puhlc.i money, as the elfcciive teaching power is thereby materially increased.

Tlie present results of the two schools may be thus staled :

Carlyle. ITawcra. .Both Schools Number on books IS 43 100 Present at examination 10 IS D 4 Present passed standard i, 57 4.1 12 <• ii. 2.S 2(i 27

Mr Dyer was examined in all the subjects prescribed for a i!nl class certificate by (he Wellington Education Board, and passed. An engrossed certificate, will be forwarded for vour signature. The pupil teacher. Miss Williams, also passed the required examination for the end of the first year. Mr Dunne declined to come up for examination.

Kobbkt Lee. Inspector of Schools. C. A. Wray, Esq., Chairman I’ateu Education Board. On the motion of Mr Furlong, Captain Wray’s resignation was accepted with great regret on the part of all the members of the Hoard, who hore testimony to the valuable services that gentleman had rendered during the time he had been in ofTieo. APJ’OIVTM ENT OK Oft Alii MAX. Considerable discussion arose as to whether the appointment of Chairman or that of a member to till the vacancy occasioned by Captain Wray’s resignation should he Idled first, but it was eventually resolved to choose the Chairman, especially as there Was at least a doubt whether the member elected that day could take Ins scat till he had been gazetted. Messrs Milroy and Contts, at an earlier stage of the proceedings, had notified that they were not candidates for the position. Mr Furlong proposed that Mr Thomas Middle - ,nass be appointed Chairman of the Hoard, as no member bad shown as great, interest in (he cause of education as that gentleman.

Mr Mcßae seconded the nomination of Mr Middiemass.

An amendment by Mr Christie, that the member’s vacancy be filled before the election, was subsequently withdrawn, and Mr Middiemass was elected without opposition. In vacating the chair; Mr Contts expressed his pleasure at the choice that had been made, and the new Chairman thanked the Hoard for the honor they had done him, tit the same lime stating his intention to discharge the duties to the best of his ability. Business was then proceeded with, the first being the KnKCTION OF A XRW MKMRKR. Mr Milroy proposed Mr William Dale as a most suitable person. As Carlyle, had lost a local member in Captain Wray, it was only fair tiiat another Carlyle member should be elected in his place. Mr Furlong seconded the nomination of Mr Dale,

Mr Mcßae proposed Mr Henry Williamson. That gentlemen bad on a fonner occaaion been otfe of the defeated candidates, and he thought he would bo an excellent member. Mr Coutts seconded Air Williamson, at the same time expressing the high regard in which beheld Mr Dale. His grounds for supporting Mr Williamson were that ho had a young family of his own, and would therefore probably take more interest in education.

After some remarks from Mr Christie, a Vote was taken, when the numbers were equal, Messrs Mcßae, Coutts, ami Christie voting for Mr Williamson ; the Chairman, Messrs Milroy and Furlong for Mr Dale. The Chairman gave his casting Vote in favour of the latter, who was then declared to be duly elected. CONSIDERATION OF INSPECTOR’S URI’ORT.

The consideration of; the Inspector's report was then proceeded with. In connection with it the applications of Mr Dyer were also dealt with, ami a long and somewhat discursive discussion took p'ace. It seemed that, the Wellington educational authorities allow the sum of £lO as recompense to each master, for not less than six hours special tuition, that ho must give each pupil teacher per week. By the same system masters are allowed £1 per head on til! pupils that have passed a certain standard of excellence and hou«rent is also allowed them. Mr Dyer had based his claims and these rules, assuming that they would apply equally to tin's province.

Members generally expressed tbemsel ve« opposed to these being sot out at the present time, the proper time, in their opinion, being when the annual salaries were dealt with, which would be at the end of the year. It was felt that however desirable it might he to afford encouragement to teachers, by paying - by results, that the Hoard had not as yet adopted that system, and were constituted under a different Ordinance altogether. The present engagement of Mr Dyer terminated with the year, and any fresh arrangements .thought desirable could then ho entered into. Any action therefore was deferred in tiie matter.

The other portions of the report wore agreed to. and the secretary instructed to inform Mr Lee that the Board would comply with what lie wished as fur as possible. In reference to the complaint of a member, as to the country children at the Carlyle school being tinned out of the school room during play hours on wet (Imvs, when they had no where else to go to, enquiries were ordered to be made. TIIK EDUCATION RESERVES. The Board then proceeded to deal with the Education Reserves placed in their charge under the Ordinance above referred to. The first question that arose was, whether it was necessary for any transfer deed to bo executed before the Board could deal with them, but it was determined that, as the Superintendent would have to formally sanction any action they might take, .such transfer would be altogether unnecessary. This being resolved, the next question in connection with them was, whether they should he leased by public auction or by tender. ; ;

Mr M ; Rac proposed, and Mr Furlong seconded, a resolution that it was desirable that public auction should be ihe way of disposal, that being tin - - mode by which the largest sums would be raised. Mr Coutts moved, as an amendment, that they be leased by fender. Ills grounds were that at auction people were liable to become excited, and would then offer more than they could afford, and consequently would not carry out their undertakings. If (bey leased these lands bv tender, they could accept whichever was most desirable, and they were not, hound to accept anv. if thev were not. desirable. Mr Milroy seconded (ho amendment, 'file system of tender bad been adopted in New Plymouth, and had worked well. If reserves were so'd by auction, (bey must put a reserve on them, otherwise they must accept a shilling if olimvd. " . 1 Mr Furlong show, d thal the arguments 1 of the previous speakers were groundless, and that, equal care eon d be taken in securing tenants, and belter prices get by auction than by tender. Mr.M’Kae, in reply, supported auction, but Mr (’bristie and the chairman acknowledged thems.-lves convinced by the reasons adduced for let! nig bv tender. On ;x vole to); .11, (tie- riro j ib-ei I licit Tile reserves should he let by auction was lost ,- only Messrs Md!ae and Furlong being in its favour ; the chairman. Messrs Milroy, (Mutts, ami Christie voted for the amendment for leasing by tender, and that system is therefore adopted. The term for which reserves should lie let then occupied the .attention of the Hoard. Alter s >me discussion it was resolved that Carlyle, town sections should be leased for twenty-one years. Tin; suburban sections 40 and 42, of which there, are only two, including the reserve on which the school is situated, la he leased for seven or fourteen years at the discretion of the lessee. Section 51), the old race emirs-v eon. tabling 242 acres, was then dealt with. It, wtts agreed after some debate that it, should not he divided, but, on as a whole for fourteen or twenty one years, at the option of the lessee. Section BSD Hawera (Winks’ slaughteryard) ; section 211, Tong.ahoe (Hurneti’s brickyard) and part of three town belts at Kakaramea, Makoe snd Ohawo were then brought, forward, and it was agreed tint they should be liaised for fourteen or twenty one years. The conditions of leasing - occupied some time in discussing, and several were agreed on. It being - found, however, that matters of detail were likely to occupy the whole day, it was ultimately resolved that a subcommittee, consisting ,oi: .Messrs Milroy, Coutts, Dale, and Mcßae, should ho empowered to draw up the conditions of lease. It was further arranged that the Secretary be instructed f<> insert, advertisements in the Patica Man. and Wanganui Weekly ITeraM. calling for tenders, to le.aso the various sections, such tenders to he sent in on or before the lit it of December next. In addilion to this, on the suggest ion of Mr Milroy, posters, inviting fenders, were also ordered to bo printed and circulated. Mr Coutts Brought under notice of the Hoard the fact, that there were many more reserves than were contained in the schedule of the Ordinance, and asked the reason why ail (be reserves allocated for Education purposes had not been gazetted, it was understood that. Major Atkinson should be interviewed on Ids approaching visit in conneeliou with this matter, hut no definite resolution was carried in reference to it. 1! A N KINIi ARRA N(i F. M KXT s. The resignation of Captain Wray tceessitated some alteration as to signing cheques. It was formerly agreed that he and one member of the Hoard should sign ..cheques. This was now cancelled, as tie l ■ Chairman was not: a local resident, and ! instead it was agreed that any two meni- ; hers could sign, the Secretary tun I Treasurer countersigning. MR DUNNR's SALARY. It was agreed that half a month, viz., till the time that Mr Dunne, late master of the ilawera School, learnt the decision of the Board, should be paid to tins gentleman. It was staled that lie had clos 'd the school a week before the period that this would come up to. cor.r.KrnoN of the non tax. The Seeretaiy said that he had received a return from the collector, by which it seemed that, the sum of £2O Is had been got in from this source. Out of tins tieexpenses of advertising and printing had been £5 ss, the collector had taken.£ 11) as remuneration to bims-df, and had handed the balance to him (the Secretary). This gave rise to a rather lively discussion, members objecting - to the collector paying himself for his services', without consulting them. Eventually, the question Was* settled bv resolutions being carried that before that.. officer collected any more he was to receive the ins!ructions of the Board, and that be should formally hand in the whole sunn gallcred, it being understood that his charges should be allowed. KETKMARAK SCHOOL. A request was made, by the contractor forlhis building, that he should he allowo-1 to substitute matai for red pine in a portion of the roof, ft was not complied with, the Hoard iniimating that specifications must be strictly adlu-n 1 In connection with, this s, 1 ,->i, the appointment of a teacher was left over. MI.SCR LI. AN Rot "S. The Secretary was authorised to summon all who do not pay the edm-atim) rate by the 15th December, the lavt day allowed. A fortnight tvas the term fixed as lim Christmas vacation . A sum of £5 was voted for the purchase of prizes for distribution at the Christmas exammaiie.n. Attention was drawn to the danger of having horses grazing in the school where the children were at play, and it was determined to subdivide the ground as far as possible, with some posts and rails in g possession of the Hoard. * Several small accounts were passed. AFJ’OXNTMENT OF MASTERS. The Board were occupied a long time in choosing a master for the Hawera School and another for Kakaramea and Manntahi half time school. There were a very large number of applications, but, the choice Tell, in accordance yvith the recommendations of the Inspector, on Mr Chamberlain, for Hawera, and Mr Brown 'for Kakaramea. In case of cither of these gentlemen failing to accept the appointments, Mr MeXc-alc was chosen to take

the; first, mid Hr Hare the .second position. FINANCIAL I’OSITM'X OF TIIH FOAUP. In reply to questions put, by members, the Treasurer stated that when everything had been paid and received, at the end ot the year, (lie board Would have about £370 to their credit. This was without any of next year’s income, and without fakin''' into consideration the amounts likely to be realised from the reserves. This balance will remain alter allowing £SO for contingencies, and paying schoolhoiise contracts now out. The Hoard thou adjourned to the loth December.