S.C. BOARD OF EDUCATION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1668, 3 December 1887, Page 2

S.C. BOARD OF EDUCATION.

The monthly meeting of the South Canterbury Board of Education was held on Thursday, Present—Mr S. W. Goldsmith (chairman), the Rev. Geo. Barclay, the Rev. Jasper Smyth, Messrs Melville Gray, John Jackson, W. B. Howell, and R. A. Barker.

The Chairman reported that since last moating Mr and Mrs Monro had rssigned charge of the Orari South School, and steps bad been taken to fill the vacaocy. The architect reported that he had received nine tenders for building the school at Winchester. the plan tendered on gave accommodation for 73 children, but ho showed if funds admitted one room could be enlarged to 30ft by 10ft, thus giving space for 103 children. The following resolution bearing on the matter was carried on the motion of the Rev. Mr Baaclay, seconded by tho Rev. Mr Symth —“ Seeing that the lowest tender is not up to tho amount available, the promises be enlarged and improved in proportion to the sum yet remaining ;Hhe office, with the aid of the architect, to endeavor to arrange with the present lowest tenderer.” The Inspector’s general reports on the annual examination of the St. Andrews, Tiinaru Main and Side, Upper Waitohi, Sutherlands, Pleasant Point, Tho Hook, Makikihi, Waihao, and Winchester were read. All tho reports were excellent, with the exceptioe of that on the Waihao. Tho return of scholarship candidates for examination showed that one candidate had entered from Gapes’ Valley, seven candidates from Temuka, two from Tiraaru, and three from Pairlie Creek.

Mr M. Vance wrote resigning the chairmanship of the Upper Waitobi Committee,—Accepted. €1 5s was granted to this Committee tor a tank. A circular was read from the House ot Representatives, calling the Board’s attention to the proposed amendments in the Education Act, and asking them to consider the following points (1) As to raising the school age ; (3) as to payment of fees for the higher standards; (3) whether the Board is prepared to make any suggestion in the working of the Act; (4) if the Board could suggest any alteration or amendment in the syllabus.—The Rev. Mr Barclay spoke against altering the school age, and after several other members had spoken it was decided to hold a special meeting on the 15th inst., at 7.30 p.m,, to cotmder the matter. Matters relating to the master of the Fairview schoel were considered in Committee, the fo'lowing resolution beiog confirmed*.—“That the Board strongly disapprove of the conduct of the Fairview Committee in not forwarding the letter of the master, which had bean put in their hands for that purpose,”—The secretary was instructed to issue a circular that all fetters by the staff to the Committees be forwarded to the Board. A letter was read from the Milford School Committee, traversing the report of the inspector's examination, and upholding the teacher. A letter was read from the Sootsburn Committee in reference to the qualification of metqb»rs on the committee.—lt was : pointed out that though a new district had been formed the Committee held their seats until April next. Matters in relation to the mastership of the Waimate school were considered in Committee, the following decision being come lo From any evidence placed bafore the Board by the Waimate Qommittre, the Board doe« not see its w»y to accede to the Committee’s request rt change of head master. After disousaioD the Board requested the secretary to intimate that now Government have called for fresh returns, that Committees should take particular troub o in sending in accurate returns of value of school buildings and apparatus. Circular letters were recaivod from the Education Department, bearing the date 29th November;—(l) T"at Government does uot intend to renew the vote for “ Training of teachers, £8000,” and that consequently there will bo no special giants on account of training of teachers after the end of the mouth of November ; (2) that after the current quarter the payments to Boards will be calculated upon the /f strict average ” attendance, and not upon tire “ working average."