BOARD OF EDUCATION.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2841, 3 May 1882, Page 2

BOARD OF EDUCATION.

The monthly meeting of the Board was held this day. Present—Mesrs E. Wakefield (in the chair), Goldsmith, Barker, Steward, Gray, Walcot and Dr Foster. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The Secretary submitted correspondence from Education Department re supply to Boards of drawing copies, stating that the copies offered by the Department would be very useful, especially to pupil teachers. It was decided to obtain 50 sets. From the same, enclosing copies of instructions “how to treat the apparently drowned ” for distribution to the schools; SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE. The Secretary read the report of the Scholarship Committee. Mr Steward asked how the difficulty as to competing twice was got over. The Secretary said the establishment of District High Schools did away with that difficulty ; and as to higher classes there would be no need of providing for a second competition as a scholar having held higher scholarships, would bo supposed to have completed his education. After some discussion it was proposed that the rules as submitted be adopted. Mr Steward thought it might be advantageous to postpone consideration till next meeting.

Mr Wakefield entirely dissented from the report. He thought, as the competition was to small in the higher classes, it was wrong to make those scholarships tenable for two years. It was decided to defer further consideration of the matter to next meeting of the Board, members in the interim to be furnished with copies of the report. ' QUESTION. ■ .. Mr Steward asked why the result of the pupil teaches’ examination had not been forwarded to the competitors, and when such information might bo expected. The secretary explained that such information had been forwarded. The marks in'each'case had not yet been notified, however. WATER-SUPPLY TO TIMARU SCHOOL. - The secretary read correspondence re cost of supplying water to the main and side schools. ’ Mr Walcot mentioned the impassable state of the North street approach, and also the muddy state of Grey road. The secretary said the; Architect did not approve of concrete, but preferred blue stone steps. The cost estimated was very low. Mr Wakefield thought-all this ought to be done. ’’ j 3 Dr Foster thought if this was The result of the Borough Council’s negligence they should bo called upon to recoup. Mr Wakcfield thought the Board had better do anything rather, than go to law with the Council. j architects’ report be new - ; BUILDINGS. The architect reported progress on new buildings and on the state of existing ones. REPORTS, RETURNS &C.,;

The Secretary stated that all the returns to the Department had been ' finished and sent to Wellington. He would bo glad to be instructed as to the Boards report, which he intended f getting out immediately. The baldhoe sheet was ready but the auditor hdd ; ; not jet come to audit - the Board’s, accounts.,. ■ m' TEMUKA SCHOOL. ' , .! The Inspectors’ report on a visit to Temuka, made recently, was then read; / The report spoke unfavorably on the work of the school. ’ The Secretary explained that the visit (on which this report was made) was paid on receipt of a letter from the : Chairman of the Board to the effect that Mr Mclntosh had informed' him : (the Chairman) that he wanted to leave at once. ■ Just as he (the,Secretary) had obtained promise of a, locum tenens for Temuka, the Master decided to; remain through his term of three months and the Secretary had there and then gone out to pay this visit; : It ' was afterwards arranged finally.for Mr Mclntosh to, leave and the locum tenons had actually taken chargei , KERRTTOWN. The Secretary reported that lie had 1 visited Kerry to wn in reference to' a ; request for the establishment of a school in that'district, ' He was of opinion that there was afield for a school,, but, the majority of the people there were Roman Catholics, f and possibly the; establishment of a Government school,; might be followed, by . Strenuous efforts on the part of the Homan Catholics to provide increased facilities for children of their oommiinion. Heestimated the number of children available t 6 be‘6s; It was moved by Mr -Barker, seconded by Mr Steward and carried—" That the recommendation of the Inspector regarding the application; from Kerry s i town be carried out. ’’ TEACHER'S CLASSIFICATION. I'/ ’•“ r ' The Secretary reportedson the classifi* cation of certain teachers who had been; ; employed: pending their passing: ex- > amination, ■ Referring; to Mr E. Smith, Temuka, 1 ■ ■ who had twice: failed to pass’ liis examination, the ' Board decided, to dismiss him at a month’s notice. lT Several members expressed the opinion that a clean sweep ought to be ■ : made of the Temuka staff. ■ . The Inspector’s report was unanimously adopted. i PUPIL TEACHERS’ EXAMINATION. The report on. the examination *of f the pupil teachers in the Board’s service was then received. .< \ TEMUKA SCHOOL COMMITTEE. ■■ A letter was read from the Committee conveying their decision that Mr Harrop was not a member of the Committee, and notifying their- choiciJ of Mr Job Brown to fill the vacancy. The letter further stated that the other four members, being convinced that the Board had no power tb receive Committeemen’s' resignations, had decided' to continue in office. - Mr Steward thought no notice should be taken of the matter. Mr Barker thought all purposes were answered, so far as the Board was concerned, by the fact that a Committee was in office, and doing duty. The matter then dropped. Another letter was read from tho Temuka School, endorsing the Board’s action re the dismissal of Mr Mclntosh, and notifying Mr Mclntosh having left. A letter was read from Mr Mclntosh protesting against the Board’s action in dismissing him, and pointing out certain extenuating circumstances which might modify the Board’s judgment No action was taken in the matter, APPOINTMENT OP TEACHEES. Tho matter of appointment of a teacher was brought up. Mr Steward thought that though the Board should give every attention towards securing best teachers for its service, but be also thought all applications should be forwarded to Committees, not. a selected number as heretofore, as that course had caused frequent deadlocks.

It was moved by Mr Steward, seconded by Mr Walcot, and carried —“That all applications be sent U> the Committee, accompanied by any inf or ination which the Inspector can furnish re the several applicants." The Secretary explained that the Chairman of the Board and the Office had never in anyjcaso made a selection. They had merely weeded out the ineligible and had forwarded the remainder to the Committee. WAIMATE. A communication was read from the Waimato School Committee rc recent sale of sections, and conveying certain recommendations re building accounts. Mr Steward submitted the agreement of all the purchasers, the account sales, auctioneers’ cheque bills, and documents connected with the sale. Mr Wakefield thought the Board was greatlv indebted to Messrs Steward and Manchester for their action in the sale of reserves. , A letter was read from Mr Ward, Head Master of the school, asking that in consideration of the house having been sold, the Board would grant him a rent allowance, and funds with which to beautify the school grounds ; and make up for money already expended by him on the grounds. It was moved by Mr Steward, seconded by Mr Barker, and carried—- “ That the sum of £25 be granted to Mr Ward for the purposes mentioned in his letter, in addition to the usual rent allowance ; Mr Ward to cause the ground to be ploughed and the trees removed and re-planted further, that the committee be authorised to call for tenders for fencing in two acres of the ground, and to accept same provided the cost do not exceed £ —.

Three tenders were opened for school buildings. During a: discussion, Mr Walcot said he doubte'd whether the Board was justified in anticipating the next year’s building grant to so large an extent. Mr Gray concurred in this view. All that Wairnate contributed was £1,009. while they wanted from the Board some £3OOO. There were wants more pressing in the district, than that of a new school at Wairnate. It might be desirable but not necessary. Mr Wakefield thought the Board should consider other places, say Temuka. It was not a question of its being desirable to erect now buildings. It was or would be absolutely necessary, for the building was dilapidated and its space quite inadequate. Mr Goldsmith said the Committee did not originally press for the school to be erected at once, they asked for a master’s house to be erected.

Mr Steward thought the Government might be memorialised to supplement the cost of the Wkimato buildings. It was moved by Mr Gray, seconded by Mr Walcot and carried That ncae of the tenders for the Wairnate School be accepted.