TEMPERANCE TEACHING IN SCHOOLS.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 376, 12 June 1889, Page 5

TEMPERANCE TEACHING IN SCHOOLS.

Auckland, May 8. At the ordinary meeting of the Board of Education held yesterday afternoon, the question of the compulsory teaching of temperance in schools was brought up. There were present at the meeting Messrs Upton (in the chair), Carr, D. Goldie, .1. M. Lennox, S. Luke, TheoCooper, R. Monk, and Udy. The Chairman read a summary of the ! correspondence received by the Board on the question since October 31st, 1888. This showed that six school committees, representing 2,159 children, had decided in favour of the compulsory use of the book ; five committees, l-epresenting 262 children, were in favour oi the book being left to the discretion of committees ; 34 committees, representing 5,378 scholars, objected to the book altogether ; while 165 committees, representingl4,379scholars,hadsentnoreplits to the circular of the Board, lie further read a number of extracts from reports by Mr Fidler, one of the inspectors, in which he strongly urged that the use of the tempeianee book and other extra teaching they had outside the syllabus should be discontinued, as in the crowded state of the syllabus it was a drag and an impediment. He expostulated with the Board in these reports for compelling the teaching o( the "Laws of Health" for one hour a week, as by doing so it was not possible to carry out the departmental regulations and give any other science teaching. Mr Upton went on to detail all the steps attending the introduction of the teaching of temperance in the schools, road ing a number of extracts from the minute-book of the Board. These came down to the resolution parsed in December last, by which the compulsory teaching of temperance should be postponed until the tiisfe day in July in order to pronounce upon the question at the annual meetings in April. This had been decided upon the motion of Mr Theo. Cooper, when Mr Lennox had proposed a motion leseinding the compulsory teaching of temperance, and leaving the matter as before at the discretion of the School Committee. Air Upton had no doubt whatever that so fatas the opinions of the householders went the course of the Boaid was perfectly clear. The householders had pronounced in the most emphatic manner, for five times the numbet ot householders objected to the uso ot Dr. Richuulson'ir book as approved of it, and these represented double the number of children. He asked if it would not be better to stiike the whole think from their resolution, and they would then have a clear page to start again if necessary. Mr Goldie thought it was hardly light to do thi*, and he objected to the reports of Mi Fidler being given so much piominence. They bhould get the opinions of the three inspectors if they got one, and he did not think bi& opinion should carry so much weight as the Chairman had suggested. lie would move that the question be referred to the inspectors to report on. The Chairman though!) they should wipe the whole thing out. Mr Goldie picfened to see it left to the discretion of the committees. Mr Upton pointed out that on the Ist July the teaching of temperance in their schools becomes compulsory. The opinion of the public was again&t compulsion in the matter. Mr Udy thought that that should guide them. Mr Goldie drew attention to the fact that so many householders, meetings had not expressed an opinion on the matter. i The Chaiiman asked Mr Lennox if to j simplify matters he would propose his re- j solution of October last, by which he proposed to tescind the resolution adopted on the motion of Mr Monk making temperance teaching compulsory. Mr Lennox was agreeable to doing so, but felt no great pleasure in it. He objected to the book being used in some schools and not in others His motion leaving the matter to the discretion of the committees was a compiomi*e between the two parties. He would move the iesolution, but he would prefer to have the whole thing wiped out altogether. Mr Udy would like to have the matter deterred for a month for the inspectors' report The Chairman said it was nothing to do with the. inspectois, they were entitled to act on what the householders thought. Mr Cooper said that whatever their private opinions might be, the members should not allow them to interfere with their duties towards the Board. They should be guided by the interests and the expressed opinions ot the householders when they were not con- I trary to the Act. The majority of the householders in the present case protested against compulsory nt-e of the book in question. In view of that the Board would place itself in a false position to force the book on the householders. Ho would, however, oppose any proposition to rescind the resolution leaving the matter to the discretion ot the committees. Referring to the number of householders meetings that had not expressed an opinion on Dr. Richardson's book and the compulsory teaching of temperance, Mr Cooper was of , opinion that those meetings had taken up a position ol passive opposition to the enforcement of the teaching. The motion of Mr Lennox rescinding the resolution passed on the 18th October, 1888, making temperance teaching compulsory in the schools, was then put to the meeting and carried. Mr Goldie then proposed a resolution to the eflect that the question of science teaching in schools should be referred to the whole of the Inspectors to report on. Mr Monk objected to the matter being referred to men who might have a bias against the teaching. He thought it would be well to leave it alone ; the Board were capable of expressing a judgment on the matter. Mr Goldie was prepared to withdraw his motion. Mr Upon hoped he would not do so. It was a question of science teaching in schools they wero now dealing with. Mr Cooper supported Mr Goldie, and was prepared to further and hava the inspectors report it it was possible to cut down the syllabus to allow of the introduction of more science teaching. He thought it was a most important question. They had too much history and geography in their schools, and not enough about practical matters. It was absurd to say that one hour a week was too much to devote to the laws of health. He would like to see the greater part of die school hime devoted to this and similar subjects. He asked Mr Goldie to amend his motion in the direction he had indicated. The Chairman thought ifc would be a good thing. Mr Goldie was willing to do this. He wished to protest against any individual in?oector being consulted. Mr Monk approved of Mr Cooper's opinion. Mr Lennox supported the amended repolution. Ho stated that the only reason Mr Fidler hed been mentioned was, because he was the only inspector who reported on the matter.

The Chairman it was nob merely a question of whether the laws of health was a good thing to teach children. The amended resolution in the following form was bhen pub and carried :—: — "That the whole subject of science teaching in schools be referred jointly to the inspectors for their report. That they be requested to report what modifications in their opinion could bo made in the syllabus with a view of giving greater prominence to science teaching ; whether Mrs Buckton's ' Laws of Health ' is suitable, and, if not, what book is best to replace it. "