EDUCATION BOARD.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2303, 4 August 1880, Page 2

EDUCATION BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the Board was held to-day. Present—Messrs Belfield (chairman), Howell, Postlethwaitc, Lovegrove,Gray, Barker, Goldsmith, and the Hey, G, Barclay. ELECTION OF COMMITTEES. The Secretary intimated that tho

reason why it had been suggested to the Board that steps should be taken to have the date of election of Committees altered, was that the day appointed—the fourth Monday in January —was unsuitable, farmers being busy with the harvest.

Mr Howell submitted that the first Monday in January would be abetter day.

SCHOOL BUILDINGS. The Chairman stated that owing to a difficulty in obtaining a clear title to the school site at St. Andrews he had stopped the building, but he had communicated with Mr Ritchie, representative of the Company which owned the land, and on receiving a guarantee that the directors in London would sanction the sale of the site, the construction of the School would be resumed. It was also intimated that the purchaser of the Waihi Bush School had been notified that unless he completed his bargain,the School would be sold at his risk ; also that several offers from purchasers had been received. GRABI BRIDGE. A deputation consisting of Messrs McDonald, Grant, Golding and another waited on the Board to urge the erection of a new school at Orari bridge. A letter was read in reference to a public meeting on the subject, and also a memorial from 13 parents, intimating that they had 29 children to start the school with. The Chairman intimated that the Board was not in a position to hold out any promise this year, as the Government had made no arrangement about a building grant. If any was voted, he believed it would be trifling; their late funds were exhausted, and they stood pledged to proceed with other buildings as soon as fuuds were available. Mr Grant asked that the application made should be recorded, aud it was intimated that this would be done. TIJIARU SCHOOL. Mr Barker moved—“ That the Board cannot deviate from the incidental scale for the benefit of the Timaru School, but as there appears to be some difficulty in carrying on the school, they will not insist upon the repayment of the £3O due by the lute Committee.'’ Carried. LEAVE OF ABSENCE. On the motion of Air Howell, extended leave of absence was granted to Mr E. Wakefield. ADVERTISING. On the motion of Mr Barker, seconded by Air Lovcgrovo, it was resolved that in future the Board will only advertise in one Timarn paper, and, when necessary, in one leading journal in Christchurch, Dunedin, &c. That all advertisements be paid for at per word, a special arrangement being entered into, and that a saving bo made by the use of the printed circular system whenever possible. REDUCTION OE GRANT. The following telegram was read : House of Representatives has reduced total education vote by £32,000 per year, equal to deduction from total capitation grant of 10 shillings per average attendance. With the view that some principle of economy shall apply to education as to other branches of Public Service, Parliament has determined that 10 per cent, rcductionbc made on salary, pay, and wages throughout every branch of Public Service. Government assume your Board will readily co-operate with them in giving full effect to the decision of Parliament in this matter, and so readjust and reduce the expenditure of moneys entrusted to the Board, and meet the necessity of the case by making the reductions apply proportionally and fairly to every part of the Board’s service. Sections 8 and 13 of the Act indicate the several purposes to which the statutory grant is applicable. I give early intimation, as no doubt your Board will consider it advisable to give immediate intimation to its officers and School Committees of the necessary (?) so as to prevent the incurring of further liabilities at former rates until your Board has had time to make necessary adjustment. Referring to the paragraph of Departmental Circular No. 50, I must also press upon Boards the absolute necessity for positively refraining from incurring liabilities on school buildings beyond what can (?) by moneys already in their possession or expressly authorised. Government will not be responsible for any other expenditure. Reduction to take effect from Ist prox. (Signed).—W. Rolleston.

The Board went into Committee,

On resuming, it was resolved on the motion of Mr Barker, seconded by Mr Goldsmith —“ That all salaries be reduced from the Ist inst., as per schedule submitted by the Chairman ; that the other reductions therein proposed be adopted ; also, that the incidentals to all schools be reduced by one-third, and that notice of the proposed changes he immediately sent to all teachers and Committees.” The following is the schedule of proposed reductions : —Salaries under £SO to be exempted from reduction ; over £SO and under £IOO, reduced 7 per cent ; over £IOO and under £ 150,8 per cent ;£l5O to £2OO, 9 per cent.; £2OO to £250,10 per cent.; £250 to £3OO, 11 per cent.; £3OO to £350, 12 per cent. ; bonus to masters for successfully passing pupil teachers to be reduced 50 per cent. Payment for instruction of single pupil teachers to be reduced 25; per cent. Inspector’s salary to be reduced 12 per cent. Incidentals to School Committees to be reduced by 33 per cent. The Board then adjourned.