BOARD OF EDUCATION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1263, 8 November 1884, Page 1

BOARD OF EDUCATION.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the South Canterbury Board e£ Education was held on Tuesday. Present—Rev. ,G. Barclay (Chairman), Messrs S. W. Goldsmith and M. Gray. The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed, the Chairman stated that little beyond the ordinary routine had been transacted since the last meeting. Mr Cook, of the Geral* dine Flat, had been appointed master of the Winchester school" and Miss Pearson as assistant mistress. The usual steps bad been taken to fill the vacancy thus created at Geraldine Flat.

The architects, in reporting on the cost of improving the closets at the Temuka school, recommended the laying down of 75 yards of 4-inch drain pipes in addition to other works previously recommended. Three tenders for the work wera received, as follows : W. Wood, £7 10s, for repairs, and 2s 4d per yard for drain pipes ; Jones and Co., £6 15a, and 2a 6d per yard; Clinch and Lloyd, £6 ss, and 2s per yard (accepted.,) The Inspector banded in the results of the various examinations he had held. The following refers to schools in this district.

Milford School—Results not fully satisfactory and discipline defective ; several children under five entered on the roll. Percentage of passes 64 and 39.5. Waitohi Flat School—Results generally very unsatisfactory ; present master b.-fn in charge only few months and cannot he blamed. Percentages of passes 41 and 50, Upper Waitohi Flat—The Inspector’s report on the application of resident* on i he upper part of the Waitohi Flat for the establishment of a new school was unfavorable. On the facts ascertained by him at a conference with the residents, he considered the application premature. The consideration of the report postponed till next meeting. Am application was received from the Gapes’ Valley School Committee (aided) asking for capitation to be paid on the full average attendance as formerly, instead of on 25 children only, to which the payment was now restricted. After a discussion the Board decided to reply that it saw no reason for departing from its regulations. An application was also received from the same school for £8 for spouting round the school and an iron tank to provide water for the children, but it was directed that a reply be sent that the Board is not at present in a position to comply with the request. A letter was lead from the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Association requesting permission to distribute among the schools circulars, pamphlets, and illustrated papers, and the request was granted. Messrs Shaw and Kelman attended as a deputation from the Geraldine Flat Committee, to urge that a master’s bouse should be erected, and tfaat some extensive repairs should be made to the school building. The teacher, they pointed out, could get no residence nearer than tiro miles from the school, and if the owner should want this he would haye to live in Geraldine or Winchester.. The Committee had previously offered by letter to build a house if the Board would pay the interest on the cost, but the deputation were not authorised to repeat the offer. They thought, however, that the arrangement might be made if the Board would consent to it. The state of the school was shown to be very bad.—The deputalion having withdrawn, it was'decided to reply lhat the Board will take steps to ascertain as soon as possible what amount of building grant is likely to be received this year, and on this being ascertained, the Committee will be invited'to make a proposal to the Board regarding the erection of a, residence ; and ;that the architect will be requested to report upon the suggested repairs to the school buildThe meeting then terminated.