S.C. BOARD OF EDUCATION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1388, 5 September 1885, Page 3

S.C. BOARD OF EDUCATION.

The monthly meeting of this Board was held on Thursday. Present—Mr S. W. Goldsmith (Chairman), the Rev. George Barclay, Dr Foster, and Messrs John Talbot, M. Gray, G. G. Russell, and R. A. Barker.

In his opening statement the Chairman stated that since last meeting Mr Woolafein had taken charge of the Waitobi ichool, and Mr Munro, of Otaio, had taken charge of the school at South Orari. The following motions, moved by the Eev. Mr Barclay in accordance with notice, were carried:—“That in the scholarship regulations recently submitted to the Board the sum of £3O bo substituted for £25 as the allowance for board, lodgidg, etc and “ That the scholarship examination be held either in December or January following.” Messrs West and Barber reported that the masters’ houses at Geraldine Flat and Orari Bridge had been finished to their satisfaction, and that favorable progress had been made with buildings at Silverstream, and other places. They enclosed tenders for fencing the Main School, Timaru, and also an estimate of cost of providing Venetian blinds for the school —After discussion on the wants of the Timaru School, the Board accepted the the tender of Mr C, Travis for fencing at £23 14s.

The Inspector reported favorably on the petition sent in by the inhabitants of Rangitira Valley asking that a school be established there. He said an excellent site was offered free of cost by Mr Wright and that the residents of the Valley seemed quite prepared to contribute liberally. There was a total of 45 children, 25 of whom were of school age. He recommended that arrangements be made for proclaiming a school district and the election of a School Committee, The recommendation was adopted. Oh behalf of the Committee appointed to deal with the subject of salaries of teachers of aided schools, etc., the Rev. Mr Barclay said they had noi completed their report. He then read the recommendations of the Committee, and those regarding aided schools were adopted, the consideration of the balance being deferred till next meeting. It was then resolved—“ That the office at once take steps to bring all schools cyncerned into accord with the new regulations, which schools have an average attendance of under 24 children.”

The Committee appointed to report on the desirability or otherwise of the Board setting apart a small sura annually for prizes, handed in their report. They recommended that a sum not exceeding £6O should be so expended ; that the prizes should be open to children in the 4lh, 6th, and 6th Standards ; that (he number of prizes in any class should be from three to five ; and that the prizes should consist of books, maps, instruments, etc. The proposal that the report be adopted was lost on the casting vote of the Chairman. For; The Rev. Mr Barclay, Dr Foster and Mr Talbot; against : Messrs Russell, Barker, Gray, and the Chairman. The Rev. Geo. Barclay then moved—- ‘■ That several misstatements in reference to the conduct of this Board having been publicly made before the House of RepresentatHas and Minister of Education by Mr J. H. Sutter, this Board give such statements an emphatic denial.” After a long discussion, in which the statements of Mr Sutter in the House were contradicted and stated to be groundless, the motion was withdrawn, it being decided

that the Minister of Education should be placed in possession of the real facts of ih« case.

The inward correspondence for the month was then dealt with :

From the Kedcliff School Committee, asking that a house be built for the the master. —Application deferred. From the Pleasant Valley School Committee, asking for £3 to expend in getting a curtain stretched across the school to divide the classes.—Granted.

From the Woodbury School Committee, in reference to aleak in the school ceilintr. Committee to supply estimate of cost. From the Manager of the N.M. and A. Company, Silvsrstream, stating the Company had decided to grant a site for a school free, provided the Board erected a boundary fence.— Offer accepted with thanks.

From the Geraldine Flat School Commijtee, requesting a grant for fencing, estimated cost being £l2, —The Board granted £lO. From the Orari Bridge School Committee, stating that they could not do anything with the £2 granted them, and that they had hid the Inspector’s report before the schoolmaster.

From the Head Master, Temuka School, re pupil teachers.—Consideration of the matter deferred till pupil teachers interested communicate with the Board.

From the residents of Rangitata South, asking that a school be established in their district.—lnspector to take usual steps.

From the Chairman of the Pleasant Point School Committee, forwarding prices of sections bought for the purpose of enlarging the school grounds.—The Chairman of the Board said he had virtually closed with the offers, and the Board confirmed his action.

From the Washdyke Committee, enclosing an estimate for repairs of £66 10s. —Resolved that the most urgent repairs be seen to at once.

The Board then adjourned