EDUCATION MEETING.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 31, 1 March 1873, Page 2

EDUCATION MEETING.

A meeting was held in the School-room, Gisborne, on- Thursday evening last, to hear from the Provincial Secretary an explanation relative to the working of the new Education Act. There was not a large attendance; but quite suflicieut to represent the public feeling. Mr. Lusk was invited to take the chair, in the absence of the Chairman of the outgoing School Committee; but ho explained that he was incompetent, as the meeting must be represented by householders. Mr. R. M. Skeet was ultimately moved to the chair ou the proposition of Mr. Webb. After a few introductory remarks, the Chairman introduced Mr. Lusk to the meeting, who said that the history of the passage of the Act through the Council was pretty well known, that the General Assembly having failed to make proper provision for education, the *Provincial Government of Auckland have done their best in framing a liberal measure. The present Act was an anxiety to tho Government, who had well considered it in detail, with a view to its becoming a permanency. It has three different provisions : — Ist. All children are admitted free; 2nd. The education is unsectarian in character; 3rd. It can be made compulsory, if necessary. The Central Board has pow er to levy rates to a maximum of 20s. per annum on all houses, in place of fees. To provide for salaries and other expenses, out of funds arsin gfrom rates, &c., and votes of Provincial Council. To hear appeals, &c. The Committees have to be elected bv householders, and to take charge of all local affairs. In short upon tho people it depends whether the Act is valuable or valueless. Mr. Lusk went fully into the question of capitation fees, and read clause 38, explaining the difference between the working of the oM - Act and the new one ; and impressed upoii the attention of all that the most that could possibly be exacted for any number of children was two pounds per annum ! and that was a very great consideration No arrangement had yet been made about collection of the capitation tax, but as a collector would be appointed to receive the rates, he w’ould probably receive those also. Mr. Lusk took opportunity to note the good feeling which had hitherto been exhibited by the people here, to the cause of education and hoped it would continue. Much had yet to be done, for, although the present Act removed some responsibility from their shoulders, the Board w’ould not, during this year, at any rate, be able to do more than meet working expenses ; and instanced the fact that some extra exertion w’ould have to be made to get the Gisborne School building lined during the coming winter. There are 120 schools to provide for in town and country, containing about 140 teachers; and the rates will fall short of expenditure. The Chairman read clause 16 relative to election of Committee, and after a little friendly sparring, the following gentlement were proposed and duly elected : Messrs. Adams, Webb, Steel, Porter, and Skeet. Mr. Lusk explained that the new'Cominittee w’ould have nothing to do with the funds, except to recommend to the Central Board the requirements of the district. Mr. Steel suggested that the balance sheet of the old Committee should be placed before the meeting. Mr. Hall objected, and Mr. Webb pointed out that the new act made no provision for the new Committee taking charge of the affairs of the retiring Committee After some little cross-firing, Captain Porter moved “ That the old Corn-mittpa do hand over to the new Committee a statement of accounts to lay before the rate-payers; and that an interview be had with the Inspector relative to future action, seconded by Mr. Steel and carried. Mr. Webb moved “ That a cordial vote of thanks be given to Mr. Lusk for the explanation he has given relative to the working of the Act, as also for the efforts he made in passing so. liberal a measure of education through the Council,” seconded by Mr. King and carried by acclamation. A vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the proceedings.