BOARD OF EDUCATION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1116, 9 June 1883, Page 3

BOARD OF EDUCATION.

At a meeting of the above body held last Thursday the Chairman stated that the old Temuka school had been sold for £450. Owing to the tenders for the Woodbury school repairs being double the architect’s estimate the Committee had been offered £35 to get the work done themselves. It was resolved—* That the Chairman and Secretary be requested to meet the Committees of the schools mtde district high schools, to make arrangements for placing those schools on the desired footing.’

A letter from the Minister of Education was received to the effect that the certificate and testimonials of Mr R. Agnew, teacher of the Eadcliff school, had been proved to have been tampered with, by a communication from the department that issued them.

A motion was carried terminating Mr i gnew’s engagement.

The annual report showed amongst other things that at the end of the year there were 30 schools in operation, being an increase of 5 on the number at work at the close of 1881. These schools were classified according to attendance as follows Under 25 pupils in average attendance, 8 ; between 25 and 50, 17; between 50 and 100, 7 ; between 100 and 300, 4 ; between 300 and 500, 1 ; above 500 1. The attendance of scholars showed the average for the year to have been 264 above that of 1881 ; but the average as compared with the roll number is not very satisfactory. The number of children attending school at the end of the year was 3853, while the average attendance for the December quarter was 2044, or 70 4 per cent. The Board regret that, the compulsory clauses of the Education Act are not more generally enforced. The Secretary reported as regards the request of the Orari village settlers to erect a school in their midst, that there were about 25 children of age residing in or near the Rangitata township, and about 30 at the village settlement of Orari, seven miles from Rangitata, whilst about a dozen lived midway between the two. If the school was placed halfway between tiie two places only the elder children at tlie two extremes could attend, and the school would not number more than 20, If placed near the Rangitata end of the district, a school of about 20 migh' be obtained, whilst if placed between the village and the central settlement an attendance of 50 might be r’ckoned on, and the objection to the school being placed in this position was {hat a bridge over the river would render this school unnecessary, as the children could attend the South Orari School. There appeared no likelihood of the bridge being built, however. The Secretary recommended that the unused school at the Rangitata be shifted to the site to bo decided on. Mr Taylor had ollercd a section for a site ou north Bank d Cooper’s Creek,

which appeared to be in a suitable position.

The Secretary was instructed to have the Boundaries defined, and Committees elected.

The Secretary’s report showed that teachers give too much attention to the upper classes and neglected the lower dies. . , Tenders were received for the post oi architect, and the matter referred to a Committee.

The Inspector, owing to having his salary reduced to £350 per annum through being relieved of the Secretaryship sent in his resignation.

Mr Barker moved that it be accepted with regret, but the motion was lost, and he matter was adjourned till next meeting, when Mr Wakefield will move that his salary be £4OO a year. After transacting some other business the meeting terminated.