BOARD OF EDUCATION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1361, 4 July 1885, Page 2

BOARD OF EDUCATION.

The monthly meeting of the South Canterbury Board of Education was held on Thursday. Present: Mr S. W. Goldsmith (Chairman), Dr. Poster, the Rev. Geo. Barclay, and Messrs J. Talbot, R. A. Barker, Melville .Gray, and G. 6. Russell.

The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed.

In his opening statement the Chairman stated that the Hilton School Committee recommended Mr G. M. Taylor for the position of Head Master of their school. —The Board sanctioned the appointment. In accordance with notice given, the Rev. Geo. Barclay moved— u That the Board, as it deems expedient, may appoint a mistress as head teacher over small schools whose assured average attendance is over 24 ; that the salary in such cases be 25 per cent lees than the emoluments (cash) of a master in a similar position, and having respect to average attendance ; that in case of a head mistress not being classified according to the Nev Zealand Register, her salary be less by 10 per cent; that where no residence is attached to the schoolhouse, lodging money be allowed at the rate of £2O per annum.”

Mr Barclay having spoken in favor of the proposals, after a short discussion it was decided on the motion of Mr Talbot seconded by Mr Barclay—“ That a Committee be appointed, consisting of the Chairman, the Rev. Geo. Barclay, Mr Melville Gray, and the mover, to report at an early date on any improvement that might be introduced into the teaching staff and scale of salaries, including aided schools.”

The arrihitect reported that the school buildings at Upper Waitohi were proceeding satisfactorily.

The tender of Mr McClintock was accepted for school buildings at Silverstream, the amount being £l5B 10s. The Inspector laid on the table reports of his inspection of the following schools : —Geraldine Flat, Geraldine, Belfield, Orari South, Mount Gay, Pleasant Valley, Gapes’ Valley, Kakahu Bush, Orari Bridge and Woodbury. Those relating to the Belfield, Orari Bridge, and Orari South Schools were read to the Board, and as they were not deemed satisfactory it was decided to forward them to tho Committees, and request them to attend to the matters contained -therein.

The following remarks of the Inspector in his general report will be of interest to this district. H# said he hoped to submit the results of the annual examination of pupil teachers to the Board at its next meeting. In the meantime, the position of the present fourth year pupil teachers required the Board's attention. He (the Inspector) took it that the period of apprenticeship of all who had for twelve months been receiving fourth year’s pay was determined on July Ist, and that success or failure in the recent examination did not affect their position, except in so far as the Board, might be thereby influenced in retaining the services of the more proficient. After naming the fourth year pupil teachers the Inspector recommended that Albert Erskine be retained in Geraldine. A few remarks were then made in reference to the Timaru School, and the Inspector then continued ; Miss Miller, of Waimate, goes at once to fill the position of assistant mistress in Pleasant Yalley, and in view of the efficiencj of a junior pupil teacher, I cannot advise the retention of Miss Bruce. In Temuka, the prospect of the possibility of five fourth year pupil teachers is one which the Board should not entertain, and I therefore recommend that Miss F Brown, and Miss M. Russell give way to others, of whom one should be a person to whom the Board would be justified im granting second year standing, AH the fourth year pupil teachers have been requested to retain there present positions till August Ist. The Rev. Mr Barclay moved—• “ That the ,report be [adopted, and that a pupil teacher’s apprenticeship be considered as terminated at the end of the year, of which he or she receives fourth year’s pay." The Scholarship Committee (the Rev. Geo. Barclay, Messrs John Talbot and Melville Gray) reported as follows (1) That there be two groups of scholarships, senior and junior; open to the children of all schools in South Canterbury, being primary schools, together with those attending district high schools. (2) Candidates for junior scholarships to ho admitted up to 13 years of age, and for senior scholarships up to 15 years. (3) That the proportion of junior scholarships to senior he as near aa possible as two to one. (4) That Scholarship holders be required to attend either at some of the District High Schools, oral some other

school to be approved of from time to lime and in each particular case by the Board. (5) The value of scholarships shall be as follows (a) la case in the judgment of the Board the winner of a scholarship in order to attend at some school approved by the Board, does not require to reside away from home, or from bis usual residence, the ordinary class fees at such school, when necessary, to be paid by the Board ; (6) in case in the judgment of the Board the winner of a scholarship, in order to attend at some school approved by the Board, does require to reside away from home, or his usual residence, he be allowed, in addition to the ordinary class fees, a sum of £25 annually; (c) in the case of a scholar travelling by rail, that all scholarship holders be allowed £4 per annum, (6) That scholarship holders be examined annually, or oftener, if advisable by the the Board’s Inspector, and also that the head masters of those schools at which they attend be required to report quarterly to the office in reference to the following matters : Attendance, conduct, diligence, and progress, and subjects taught. (7) That scholarships be tenable for two years, unless that, from any unfavorable report on the part of the Inspector to. the head master, the Board should see fit to abridge the period, and proportionately , the money value. (8) That holders of junior scholarships, on the expiration of their term, and being within the prescribed age, ;be allowed to compete for the senior scholarships.” The subjects of examination for junior scholarships are to bs Spelling, reading, writing, drawing, arithmetic* grammar and composition, geography, history, and science. For senior scholarships : Spelling, reading, writing, arithmetic, grammar and composition, geography, history, science, Euclid, algebra; Latin, French, and drawing.—The report was adopted. The Repairs Committee, consisting of Messrs W. Goldsmith (Chairman), and and J. Talbot handed in the concluding portion of their report on tho schools. Grants in aid regarding schools in this district were reported on as follows; From the Opibi School Committee, asking for £8 10s for repairs tojfences arid outbffices ; recommended £5 bei given. Sutherlands—applying tor a refund of £3 6s; no recommendation made. Pleasant Point applying for £5 for repairing fences and gates ; granted, and the Committee recommended as the site for School and Master’s house was too small, that steps be taken to procure additional land. Fairiie Creek—Asking for £5, Half cost of outhouses ; recommended that applications be acceded to. Belfield-Recom-monded that £3 be given for planting purposes. South Orari—Asking for £2 to repair spouting ; recommended school Committee be asked to do the work. Orari Bridge—Application to hive new floor laid down; no recommendation; building to old. It was stated there were two or three schools yet to report on, and that the Chairman had agreed to look 'after those in the southern part of the district, and Mr Talbot those in the northern part. Both had, however, agreed to inspect the Washdyke school in company. Mr Barclay moved and Mr. Gray seconded, and it was earned 1 —“ That the money expenditure recommended by the Repairs Committee be sanctioned, and that in addition a sura of £2 be allowed for repairs of floor at Orari Bridge ; that advantage be taken of the site:acquired at Kakahu to shift the position of the present schoolhouse.” The Inspector reported on the application for a new school at Upper Rangitata bridge, but as some documents, promised to be forwarded by the residents of the' district, bad not come to hand, the matter was adjourned. A letter was received from Temuka School Committee re repairs to cesspit, but the Board decided to leave the matter to be dealt with by the Committee. From the Upper Wailohi Flat Committee forwarding the plan of School site and letter, and from Kakahu Bush forwarding similar documents. With regard to the latter, it wasresolved that Mr T. H. Wigleybe thanked for his offer of land to enlarge the school site, and that steps be taken to have' a survey taken. Several other matter? of no interest to this district having been dealt with, 1 accounts were passed for payment, and the meeting terminated; ;