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Patea Mail, Volume IV, Issue 334, 29 June 1878, Page 2

We are indebted to the Wanganui Chronicle for report the following items : —■ A meeting of the above Board was held at the office of the Secretary, Taupe Quay, on Wednesday morning, commencing at 10 o’clock. Present : Messrs \Y. 11. Watt (in the chair"), Bryce, Dalrytnple, Duthis, Fox, Jones, Ross, Sanson, and Inspector Fonlis. Mr Fox explained that on agreeing to act as commissioner to the Board it was on the understanding that lie would not be required to go to Wellington previous to the commencement of the session. Yet shortly after last meeting of the Board he had received notice of meeting then about to be held. Other engagements prevented his attendance in-Wellington, besides which, to inquiry made, he was informed that the meeting was only of a preliminary nature. Yet he afterwards found that important business in connection with the apportionment of school reserves had been transacted. After some conversation the Board ex-

onerated Mr Fox from any blame in not attending the meeting. Correspondence included letter relating to conversion of Carlyle and Hawera schools into high schools; letter re proportion of grant of Public Library to the Board. 'Grant to be decided upon a basis of population, as shown by last census, also informing the Board that they were entitled to a division of the Taranaki grant; letter stating that only £300! could he. granted for the salary of Inspector—on motion of Mr Fox, seconded by Mr Dalrymple, tbo Secretary ordered to reply requesting that salary should be paid as voted last quarter; letter asking for returns ’ of attendance at schools and expenses, and of Inspector’s salary and travelling allowance; letter stating that nothing was due from Wellington except small capitation and its share of library grant ; letter from the chairman of Mount View School .committee, asking if the erection of the residence for the" teacher should be left to the school committee, or whether the Board should attend to it. A discussion hereupon arose as to functions of Board and of school comtnittees, some mem bers contending that the Board should have the right of supervising- the erection of buildings which would be paid for through Board, and others that any interference on the part of the Board would he mischievous and therefore undesirable. Mr Fox was appointed to superintend the work required at Mount View, an amendment by Mr Bryce that the actual superintendence should be left to the local committee being lost; letter from chairman of Maxwelltowu school committee, as to teachers resignation and residence of teacher, also complaining of delay in paying contractor for new school-house, and suggesting that £5 should be paid as compensation. It was explained that debt bad been incurred by Wellington Board, and pending adjustment of accounts the Board had no authority to pay. The letter was referred back to the writer with request that it be in more respectful terms ; letter from Waito- 1 tara school committee for school requisites; letter from Hugh McKenzie, Kangitikei, offering two or three acres of land to enlarge recreation ground—offer thankfully accepted ; letters from Normanby and Wavevley chairmen also read ; letter from Mr Seaton, teacher of Matarawa school was referred bacx, and the writer censured for writing in such strong terms, and asked to withdraw letter; letter from Mr Kenah enclosing returns from ivoiii school ; letter from Mr Bcazar offering to drill boys in certain schools for £SO per annum. A warm debate took place as to report which had appeared in the Herald of words alleged to have been uttered by Mr W.-jit' in regard to chairman of the Kohj,..sch‘ool, and 'which ho (Mr Walt; dcyi'ell having uttered officially, though something of'lhcsorfc might have been said jokingly. [Party feeling'appeared to show strong on both sides.] After some discussion Mr Boss saiil there was no doubt that the report was incorrect and misleading, and in his opinion the reporter capable of .such a fabrication was scarcely fit to be entrusted with the duty. 'Mr Fox, agreeing to the incorrectness or the report, suggested that the matter should be quietly dropped, which advice, after another passage of words between the chairman and Mr Dnthie, was acted upon. Mr Dnthie said he considered it highly desirable that the Board should decide upon some basis of action with rciorence to the expenditure which would bo necessary for the erection of new buildings, and other . works imperatively require,!. He thought the present, time a favourable opportunity for deciding upon what should bo charged to the building fund, and what should be defrayed by the School Committees. Ho would therefore move, “That the Local Committees -may, with the sanction of the Board previously obtained, provide or enlarge school-houses, teachers’ residences, erect new fences, provide water, supply desks, and improve the .school grounds, and the cost of the same shrdi bo defrayed out of the Board’s building fund.” Seconded by Mr Sanson, and cairiod.

Yiovcd by Mr Dnlhic, and seconded by Mr Fox, “That the Committees snail, out ol ! tho school fund, maintain and keep in proper repair and order, ait buildings, fences and grounds, previously completed by the Board, and shall supply ail black boards, easels, maps, diagrams, ink wells, tablets, and school furniture of. every description, of which an entry must be 'kept in the log book, and further provide for efficient lighting, heaving-, and cleaning of the schoolroom, and all the necessary rerj uirements.” Carried. Proposed by'Mr Pox, and seconded by Mr Dahymplc, “ That the Board shall not pay any money to any Committee, for work previously sanctioned by the Board, till the said work shall have been inspected by some person .appointed by the Board, and reported as efficiently performed, and in unit}’- with the specifications o.r designs sanctioned by the Board.” An animated discussion followed this proposition, Mr Bryce contending that the intention of Parliament was trust School Committees, and he thought the Board should do the same. The pros and cons were discussed, and the motion ultimately carried. The Treasurer, .and Messrs Watt and Jones were appointed a Finance Committee.

A report was read by Mr Bryce of the inquiry made by himself and Mr Williams, at tiie request of the Board, into the validity of the election of the Waverley Committee, and it was proposed by Mr Bryce, and seconded by Mr Dalryrnple—That in the opinion of the Board the slight irregularities connected with the election of the School Committee at Waverley, are not of a character sufficiently grave to invalidate the election. Carried. A Building Committee was appointed, consisting of Messrs Watt, Jones, and Boss. Secretary’s salary was increased to £250. A lengthy report was then read by Mr Foulis, which was afterwards adopted, and ordered to be printed. On motion of Mr Bryce, seconded by Mr Dalryrnple, it was resolved to place to credit of various committees annually, from os to 10s per scholar, in average daily attendance. Amount to be paid quarterly. Mr Bryce moved, “ That it be an instruction to the Inspector, to so arrange the teachers’ salaries throughout the district, for the consideration and approval of the Board, that they shall not exceed in the aggregate, and with the estimated expenses

of the official working of the Board added/ the total amount accruing from the capitation fee of £3 15s per scholar.” Mr Duthier seconded the'motion. Mr Sanson moved as an amendment, which was seconded by Mr Ross, “ That it he an instruction to the Inspector, in preparing an estimate of theexpenses of this Board, to do so with a view to economy, but so, nevertheless, as not to reduce the present salaries of teachers, asin the opinion of this. Board the salaries are too low already.” Members expressed their sentiments on the above proposition fully and warmly. Mr Bryce was advised to withdraw his motion, but would not. The amendment was then put and carried, Messrs Dalrymplv, Sanson, Boss, Fox and the Chairman voted in favor of it, and Messrs Bryce, -Dnthie, and Jones against.

Mr Dnthie asked that the various motions of which Mr Williams had given, notice (who was absent) be allowed to stand ovre till next meeting. The request was comolied with.

The chairman reported,.on behalf of the committee'appointed to deal with the ReesBequest, that "they could invest the money on good freehold security, insiims of JgoOt) at 8 per cent., and at a larger rate of interest for smaller amounts. Moved by Mr Dnthie, and seconded by Mr Sanson, and carried, “That the following scale be adopted for the payment of a school fund, to the several school committees, upon the quarterly returns ; to be paid upon the last quarter’sreturn : —-Attendance of 49 and under, 10s per head ; 41 and under G5, 8s Gd ; G6 and under 100, 7s ; MOO and upwards, 55.” Moved by Mr Dnthie, and seconded by Mr Dahyinple, ami carried, “That a circular,■ embodying the resolutions aneut the committee’s school fund, be printed and sent to the several committees; and further, that a copy of the resolutions as to the building k fund be also forwarded.” J

Mr Bryce after an explanation, tendered his resignation, and the Board adjourned at 11.30 pun.

The Board resumed at 9.30 a.m. onThursday. Present The Chairman, Messrs Jones, Duthie, Sanson, Ross, and Fox.

It was agreed to contribute £lls towards purchase of half acre land at Marton, if School Committee furnished balance of £SO. .

It was resolved as a standing rule, that before school buildings were .erected in any new district, that freehold. of at least one acre should be made, ’over to the Board.

Mr Duthie, after making a statement of the financiaLGblidition of the' Board, and expressing the opinion that the Board was going- to the bad about £I,OOO for the iirst ’■year,- resigned, the office of Treasurer.

The Chairman stated that the debt at the end of lb a .year could only amount to £3OO, and considered the policy of MessrsDuthie ami Bryce a suicidaL/onc*. The Chairman was then elected Treasurer.

The Llbiary grant of £lB5, was disposed of as follows :—Wanganui Library,. £154 ; Otaki, £7 4s ; Sandon, £2O. The meeting adjourned.