BOARD OF EDUCATION.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2665, 5 October 1881, Page 2

BOARD OF EDUCATION.

The ordinary meeting of the Board of Education for the month was held this morning. Present—Mr H. Beltield (Chairman), and Messrs Steward, Goldsmith, Wakefield, Gray, Slack, and Barclay. chaieman’s statbhbnt. The Chairman stated that a Committee had been duly elected for the new district of Kingsdown. The allocation of the building grant would form part of the business of the day. The amount was very small, and the erection of schools would have to be more economically managed than heretofore. By following the old plan they could not build more than three schools. Ho suggested that a portion only of the school buildings required in each case should be erected, leaving the masters’ houses to a future day. THE VACANT SEAT. The Chairman said that steps should be taken to fill the seat on the Board rendered vacant by the resignation of Mr Howell. There was a chance that when the case came before the Court, the Judge would make a rule that Mr Walcot should take the seat, but the Board had nothing to do with that, as they had no knowlege, as a Board, that the action was pending. A desultory discussion took place on the subject, Mr Stewart counselling delay so as to avoid the possibility of further complications being caused. The Chairman said the case would probably come before the Court next month. Mr Wakefield moved—‘‘That steps be taken to fill the vacancy.” Mr Stewart moved an amendment—- “ That the matter be deferred for a month,” and this was carried. The amendment read at first, “ until after the decision of the Supreme Court,” but as this might never be given, a more definite term whs adopted. SCHOOL BOOKS. A notice of motion by Mr Barker—- “ That the Board consider the advisability of importing school books,” next came up, and after some consideration a committee was appointed to enquire what glasses of articles, if any, could be profitably imported from Home, and if they approve of the principle being applied at all, to report at the next meeting. BUILDING GRANT. A circular was read from the EduEducation Department, informing the Board that a sum of £3,300 had been voted to the Board for building purposes for the year. Mr Barclay moved (1) That the amount be allocated as follows :—School houses to be built at Redcliff, Makikihi, Kingsdown, Sea View, Albury, and Gapes’ Valley,at a total cost not exceeding £ —; that £SOO be allotted for new buildings at Temuka, and a like sum for new buildings at Waimate, when necessary, and that out of the remainder, necessary additions be provided at Washdyke, Milford, Waitohi Flat, and Kakalm, (2) That fresh tenders bo called for supplying school furniture according to the specifications used hitherto. (3) That from time to time as the funds would permit a capitation grant of 10s be given to aided schools for incidental expenses,. Mr Barclay having explained the-, grounds upon which he made his firsti motion, it was carried. He believed! that the buildings required could be put up very cheaply now, and it was suggested that a considerable saving could be effected by lotting all the building? required in one contract, Mr Steward raised tluj question whether the Government would give the £SOO allocated to Waimate, since it was not proposed to build this year, the circular staring that the money was to he paid hn vouchers for work actually done. If the money could be obtained lie would like lo see it placed at interest, so that the school would get the benefit and not the Government. It would not he advisable to proceed with the work this year, and if the money could only be got for work done, it must be lo*t altogether. It was stated that the

gsants were often paid before the buildings were erected, and it was decided to state the whole circumstances of the case to the Government when it was beIseved there would be no difficulty. It was resolved to place the amount at fixed deposit on a separate account, if it can bo obtained. VOTE OP THANKS. Mr|Stoward moved, Mr Barclay seconded, and it was carried unanimously “That the thanks of the Board be recorded to Mr Wakefield, M.H.R., for his successful efforts in carryingjthroogh Parliament the Waimate and Temuka School Sites Bill. Mr Wakefield, in acknowledging the vote of thanks, said that the Minister for Education deserved the thanks of the Board also for the assistance ho had given in the passing of the Bill. The question had been raised by this Board whether a general measure enabling school sites to he disposed of should not he passed, hut the Minister objected to such an amendment in the Education Act. TAINTING. On the motion of Mr Barker it was resolved to call for tenders for painting the Otaio and Waitohi schools. SUTHERLANDS. An application from a number of residents near Sutherland's, five miles from Pleasant Point, was referred to the Secretary lo report upon. WASHDYKE SCHOOL. . A letter was read from Mr Cnthbert, late master of the Washdyke School, dated Sept. 22, stating that ho had seen l.v the newspapers that a very adverse report had been made on the recent examination of the school, and as he had been master of the school for the twelve months preceding the examination, Jie desired to have the scholars’ examination papers sent him. The papers, the Secretary said, had been sent fo the School Committee, the letter he had reserved for the Board,and since, its receipt a second one had been received, a long one, which opened up several questions of complaint. Should this 'otter be read ? Mr Steward said that as Mr Cufhhert had left the district, ho could, not see wind object was to be gained by going into these matters. It really was not worth while. Mr Barclay said that as the Board had no longer any connection with Mr Cnthbert it would be nonsense to take up their time in considering his letter. The letter was not read. MISCELLANEOUS. The sum of £5 was granted to the Waimate Committee lo provide an oven for the master’s house, and a cesspool at the hoys’ school. An application from the Tiroaru .School Committee for some new desks was postponed till, next meeting, the Secretary in the meantime to examine the furniture, and report upon what changes in, as well as addition to, the desk furniture is desirable.

An application from the Temnka Committee for a sum of £lO for fixing sunshades over the windows, and ventilating openings in one of the rooms and for repairing fences, and an application from the Milford Committee for new forms and some small repairs wore loft to the Chairman to deal with, after report by Secretary. An application was received Irora the Wailii Bush School Committee, asking that tbo name of the district should be changed to “Woodbury.” The application was acceded to.

An application from the Wasbdyke Committee, to be permitted to retain a pupil teacher, though the attendance did not strictly permit of it, was granted, the deficiency in the attendance being only a fraction af a;child. The Opibi' Committee requested that Mr Bellamin, the master, who bad received notice of dismissal for misconduct, should be’retained. Jhe request was not granted, the notice to take its

courseThe Chairmrn of a public meeting hold at St, Andrews a short time ago, rr. tiie establishment of a public library at that place, wrote asking the Board for Information regarding the Government subsidy to libraries. The Secretary stated that no subsidy had been voted this year. Air Barclay’s motion re tenders for furniture was carried. . MV Barclay’s motion that a captation grant at the rate of 10s per annum, on the average attendance be given to aided schools for incidental purposes was carried, Mr Barclay warmly advocated the claims of these schools to consideration. He did not ask that a regular payment should be decided upon, but only that payment should be made whenever the Board had a balance to dispose of. . On the motion of Mr Steward it was resolved to instruct the architect to prepare plans for the six schools to be built, the prices to be within the limit fixed, and that tenders for the building be called upon receipt of the plans. On the motion of Mr Barker a vote of thanks was passed to Mr Postlethvraite for his gift of trees to make protective) works at the Geraldine School, and two guineas were voted to Mr Shiers for .his oversight of the The request of the Geraldine Comvnl 11 oo for a lavatory to be granted, the dan and cost to bo arranged by the Secretary and Committee for approval at next meeting. ACCOUNTS. Minor accounts accounts amounting to £lO 2s 6d were passed for payment. The meeting then terminated.