SOUTH CANTERBURY EDUCATION BOARD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1122, 5 January 1884, Page 3

SOUTH CANTERBURY EDUCATION BOARD.

The ordinary meeting of the South Canterbury Board of Education for the month was held on Thursday. Present— Rev. G. Barclay (Chairman), Messrs J. Talbot, S. W. Goldsmith, W. J. Steward, R. A. Barker, E. Wakefield and Dr Foster.

The Committee appointed for the purpose of considering the appointment of pupil teachers in relation to the size of schools recommecded—'' ( 1) That instead of at 40, as hitherto, pupil teachers be granted when the average has reached 35 (2) That instead of at 80, as hitherto, a second pupil be granted when the average has reached 75. (3) That when by a decline in the average attendance the office of pupil teacher becomes vacant, sucb pupil teacher to have the option of discharging his or her functions in the school at half pay, the Board, ai previously continuing to bear the usual charges in connection with the education and training of pupil teachers ; the option of remaining at half pay to be limited to one pupil teacher in any one school." On the motion of Mr Steward, seconded by Mr Goldsmith, the report was adopted. Mr Gurr, Acting-Inspector, presented reports on the examination of the Scotsburn, Geraldine, Gapes' Valley, Pleasant Valley, Orari Bridge and Redcliff schools, examined since the previous meeting of the Board.

On the Scotsburn school he reported that it was not in a satisfactory state. A fair percentage of passes in Standards had been gained (83.3), but reference to the schedules of past years showed that some children had been presented year after year for examination in tLe same Standards, without passing. The registers did not show the correct ages of the children, in many cases the ages being put down at one and two years less than the truth. The present teacher was not responsible for all this, as he has not been long there. Of the Geraldine school, he remarked that though the percentage was lower than the school had ever gained before, taking the ages of the children into account, good work had been done. The children were too young to compass all tho work required by the Standards. Gapes' Valley school was very favorably reported on, the neatness and behaviour of the children being very highly spoken of. The Inspector pointed out that the furniture of the school was quite insufficient. There were 36 children on the roll, and only furniture for 12. The Chairman said he long ago ordered more furniture to be sent up. The Orari Bridge and Redcliff schools were very unfavorablv reported on. The registers at Redcliff school had not been made up for the last quarter, and the Inspector wondered how the teacher made up his returns.

It was resolved, on the motion of Mr Steward, seconded by Mr Barker—" That the attention of the local Committees be drawn to the unsatisfactory nature of the reports of the Acting-Inspector upon the Scotsburn, Orari Bridge and Redcliff schools, and that in the case of the latter the Committee be asked to forward the school registers to the office for inspection and comparison." A letter was read from MrGnrr, stating that his travelling expenses (which he had agreed to bear) had been very much greater than he had anticipated, and asking for half the usual annual traveling allowance to the Inspector. It was agreed that the Chairman, in settling with Mr Gurr, should pay him a bonus of £3O for travelling expanses. Mr F. J. Fraser, master of the South Orari school, wrote complaining that the Committee had only granted him two weeks holiday at Christmas, instead of the usual number.

Mr Barker explained that the Co>nmittee intended to give further holidays of four weeks at harvest time. The ChairmaD suggested that the Board should fix a maximum and minimum number of holidays, leaving the Committees to distribute them as they thought best.

Mr Talbot said teachers in country schools should try to work amicably with the Committees. Long holidays at Christinas did not answer, as the schools would practically be closed, if nominally open, during harvest.

Mr Fraser was referred to the Committee £«r rb explanation.

A letter was read from the Chairman of tho Winchester Committee, stating 1 that the letter received by the Board at its previous meeting explaining the condition of the school had been endorsed by the whole Committee, though that Committee did not see it before it was spnt to the Board. Also asking for anot' er Inspection of the Bciiool at the end of January, before the harvest holidays, when if satisfactory result were not shown the Committee would ask the Boird to remodel the staff.

It was agreed that the school should go on until the next ordinary examination. An application for £3 for repairs at Kakahu school was referred to the Chairman to enquire into, with power to act

It was lesolved that the seal of the Board be affixed to the agreements of the following teachers:—Miss H. M. Ladbrooke, Mr E. W. Gurr, Mr C. B. Macalpine, Mr G-. M. Westropp, Miss Mina Kissel, Mr Alex. Mcintosh, and Mr Andrew Cuthbert.