S.C. BOARD OF EDUCATION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1464, 6 February 1886, Page 2

S.C. BOARD OF EDUCATION.

The monthly meeting of the South Canterbury Board of Education was held on Wednesday. Present—Mr S. W. Gold(•railb (Chairman), the Rev. Geo. Barclay, Dr Foster, and Messrs Melville Gray, John Talbot, and R. A. Barker. The Chairman stated that since last meeting Mr Cross had been appointed second master of the Temuka District High School, and the resignation of Miss Mary McLean as a pupil taacher at Geraldine had been sent in to the Board. The Architect reported that the Rangifcira Valley School would bo completed and ready for use this week, and that (he additions to the Geraldine School would soon be finished. The repairs to Mr® Orari Bridge School would be done in a week or two. Attached to this report was an account of the Architect’s visit to the Pleasant Valley School. This was then read, and showed that the building wanted strengthening throughout, and was in need of many minor repairs.— The Rev George Barclay moved that plans and specifications be prepared for this work by the Architect, and tenders be called for it, the Chairman to accept a tender provided the amount does not exceed the Architect’s estimate. The Inspector handed in his reports on the annual standard examination of the fC-ikalm Bush, Scotaburh, Milford, Rmgitata Island, Rangitata South, Winchester, Woodbury, Pleasant Valley, and Upper Otaio Schools, and also on the petition for a school at Totara Valley and Bangitata. The reports of examinations are to be forwarded to the respective Committees. The Scholarships’ Committee’s report was then read and considered. Thp Committee were- unanimous in recoipmending that the following be awarded scholarships for the current year (—Wm,. A. Moiton, Temuka, to be tenable at Temuka District High SbhooVuinder regulation 7 (») and {d). May Austin, Winchester, to be tenable at Temuka District High School, under regulation 7 (a) and {d). GeDrude Brown, Temukaj

tenable at Temuka District High School, under regulation 7 ( a ) and (d). J. D. Robertson, Timaru, under regulation 7 (a) and ( d ). These are all junior scholarships. The Committee, in awarding scholarships, could not go down the list beyond these four, inasmuch as all the others are disqualified under regulation 11. From. the fact that none of these scholars require to go from home in order to attend a High School, the sum allocated is only about £27. To this, however, has to be added a sum of £lls, liabilities in respect to second year scholarships, and payable from this year’s scholarship income, making in all £142. But as the scholarship income of the Board for the current year will be about £240, there will be £IOO still to dispose of. The Committee recommended that this sum should be expended as follows: That all present scholarship holders, but whose scholarships lapse with the present quarter, be examined, and that two out of the successful competitors in each group be awarded a continuation of the scholarships to the end of th© year. The number lapsing is some ten or eleven, and the groups represented are A, B, and C. Before considering this report, a letter was read from Mr Jas. Austin, asking that bis daughter (Miss May Austin) who was one of the successful candidates, should be allowed to attend the Timaru High School. The Rev. Mr Barclay and Messrs Barker and Gray opposed the request, Mr Barclay pointing out that to grant it would •ntail an extra expenditure of £SO during the tenure of the scholarship. Mr Talbot and Dr Foster were of opinion that the request should be acceded to. Mr Barclay said the Board really ought not to go out of its course for the sake of this one particular child. A High School was placed almost at the child’s door; there were two graduates on the staff, and looking- down the syllabus of tba school, it would be found that everything a juaior scholarship-holder required was to be found there. He again pointed out the great extra cost the granting of the request would entail. The Chairman expressed himself against the request. Mr Talbot much regretted many of the remarks that had been made, and pointed out the Temuka School was not calculated to give that education to its scholars as was obtainable at the Timaru High School. The matter under discussion was to his mind one more illustration of the mischievous way District High Schools might work. Once more he urged that the wishes of parents should be granted, and pointed out that a child’s education might be impaired and much valuable time lost through it having to attend the Temuka High School. Mr Barclay objected to these remarks; they were a slander on the staff of the school named. Mr Talbot held that they were not, and warned the Board that it was a mistaken policy for them to refuse Mr Austin’s application. They had plenty of money at command, and this was not one of those cases of simply going out of their way to spend money in a manner that was really not legitimate. Dr Foster’s motion that Mr Austin’s request be grantsd was then put and lost, and the report was adopted. Messrs Shaw and Blue attended as a deputation from Totara Valley asking that a school be established there, and promising to contribute a free site and part cost of erecting buildings, etc. Dr Anderson’s report on the matter was read, and though he spoke favorably of it he pointed out that the building of a school at Totara Valley might seriously affect the Opihi and Mount Gay schools, and probably result in the former having to be closed. —The Rev. G. Barclay moved, Mr Barker seconded, and it was carried- That the Inspector hold a meeting of the residents within the Opihi school district and report at an early date as to the prospects of the Opihi School being permanently carried on, and at the same time steps be taken to ascertain what aid the Totara settlers will give towards a new school if such were determined on by the Board.” The Chairman said that the replies received from the County Councils and other public bodies re contributing towards the fund for the erection and repairing of schools were unfavorable. AH declined to contribute. Correspondence received was then dealt with, the following being of interest to this district;— From the Scotsburn School Committee, asking that the school buildings be repainted and some small repairs carried out.—lt was resolved to inform Committee that some 16 schools were to be painted shortly, among them being the Scotsburn, and that the Committee must see to the small repairs themselves. From the Geraldine School Committee, asking for £l2 to pay cost of new windows to infant class room, new desk, etc. —Granted, From the Committee of the Kakabu Bush School, applying for a pupil teacher. —Granted From the Temuka School Committee, applying for a grant of £2 10s for repairs to the lavatory, etc. —Granted.