BOARD OF EDUCATION

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2894, 5 July 1882, Page 2

BOARD OF EDUCATION

The monthly, meeting of the Board was held to-day. Present —■ Messrs Belfield (chairman), Wakefield, Gray, Goldsmith, Barker, Slack, Walcof and Dr Foster. - chairman’s statement. , The Chairman reported that Mr Philips’ tender for the Waimate School had been taken up. Mr Spiirway’s tender for additions to the Timaru School had been accepted. New schools had been completed at Albury and Redcliff. QUESTION. Mr Barker asked whether books had been sent, to committees. The Secretary answered that arrangements were not quite completed. SEALS TO CONTRACTS. The Secretary reported that the solicitors had said that the sealing of every contract must be specially ordered by the Board. It could not be done by the Chairman as, had been the case. The Board thereupon resolved that its seal be affixed to- the two contracts for Waimate and Timaru respectively. INSURANCES AND ALLOWANCES. The Secretary reported that the Minister of Education disapproved of the building grant being used for insuring schools. The Government would take over insurances of school buildings in future. The Department also objected to any lodging allowances to teachers being paid out of the building fund. They ffiust be paid from the maintenance account. This, the Secretary said, was a serious charge on the maintenance account. The Board'considored this unfair—-a lodging allowance saved tho Building Grant in many cases ; and these charges on the maintenance account, just ate away the margin on which, in drafting the last scale, they had relied. The Board resolved, on the motion of lii’r Wakefield seconded by Mr Goldsmith—“ That in reply to circular 82/7, the Chairman of the Board point out'to tho Government that the now arrangement as to paying lodging money out of maintenance fund instead of building fund, will compel tho Board either to recast ihoir scale of ordinary oxpondi-

ture, which is already reduced as far as 1 it conveniently can be, or else to go to a ’ large and unnecessary expenditure for teachers houses for which purpose an i increased grant will be required." FENCING. Several applications from School | Committees for additional fencing, were received. The Board decided, in view of the ' present state of its funds, that it could not yet allocate any monies for the purpose. inspectoe’s eepoets. The Inspector_ reported a “complication ’’ in making appointments to the Woodbury and Orari schools, Mr Wakefield moved, Mr Goldsmith seconded, and it was carried“ That the, consent of the Milford Committee be asked to the transfer of Mr Greaves to Woodbury, and the substitution for him of Mr Fraser.” Mr Patrick was appointed to Orari. APPOINTMENTS. Dr Foster gave notice of his intention to move “That the fornier Eesolution of the Board to send all application to the Committees be rescinded.” kepaies to buildings. The Secretary recommended the following items of expenditure for repairs to buildings. Geraldine £2O, Temuka £l5O (for additional rooms.) The Board sanctioned the former expenditure, but deferred consideration of the latter, SUTHEBLANDS. The Secretary .reported that the residents of Sutherlands were not unanimous as to the selection of a site. Ths Board authorised the residents to elect a committee, under clause 60 of the Act, and decide as to site, PETITION. The teachers of South Canterbury petitioned the Board to pay their salarieSjdirect, instead of through committees, setting forth that grievous delays often resulted from the committee controlling the payment of salaries. Mr Barker moved, Mr Wakefield, seconded, and it was carried —“ That the salaries of teachers be paid direct in future.” woollcombe’s gully. ■ Mr Bowie wrote, on behalf of the residents Gully, stating that at last night’s meeting it had been 1 resolved to do the utmost to purchase a 1 site offered by Mr Luxmore (3£ acres), ; and that, pending such purchase, and : the erection of suitable school buildings, 1 the residents would recommend the ; renting of the late residence of the Rev. ’ L. L. Brown.

' The Secretary reported that a school was needed there,’but the Board hadmot yet been able to undertake the estabment of r a school. The Committee had undertaken to pay the-rent, provided the,Board wou]d.supply a teacher.' He submitted a plan of the neighborhood, sent by the residents. The question being raised as to the government of this school, the Secretary stated that the residents of Wobllcombe’s Gully had decided that it would be advisable for them to be governed by a Committee of their own. He explained that in the event of the separation of the district, it would be necessary to decide upon the boundaries of the new district. Mr Wakefield moved, Mr Goldsmith seconded, and it was carried—“ That the request of the Committee of residents, for a teacher, be granted, on the: conditions mentioned in Mr Brown’s letter, and that , the district be declared a separate Educational District under the Act.” The Secretary read a list of sites with prices, which, the residents said, were under offer to them. The Board decided to request the Chairman to obtain the refusal for the next three months, of the section offered by Mr Luxmore. . i 1 hook school, ; The Committee . wrote asking the Board to provide a lobby'for the shelter of the, children during dinner s ,ho’ur, | as they were likely ,to contract colds; in winter. No action, was taken. ; GERALDINE ELAT., ... | The Committee asked 'for' renewal j of the flooring and the verandah. j The Secretary explained that-this the old Waihi Bush building, and was somewhat defective. —Matter deferred, OEAEI BRIDGE. I - | The Committee asked for a.planting and fencing grant of £B. | The Secretary suggested that ~ the parentsmf children who ride to school should be asked to contribute in such cases. The matter; was deferred.; :T Accounts amounting to £57 4s fid were passed for payment.: ; The Board then rose. :