S.C. BOARD OF EDUCATION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1748, 9 June 1888, Page 2

S.C. BOARD OF EDUCATION.

The isonthy meeting of the South Canterbury Education Board was held on Thursday. Present — Messrs Goldsmith (chairman), Pearpoint, Talbot, Jackson, Howell, Barker, and the Rev. Jasper Smyth. In the courso of a few remarks, the Chairman said theßangitata Island school was vacant, and: the Committee desired a female teacher. A legal opinion had been obtained on the validity of the election of Mr Northam as a member of 'he Winches--ter Committee, to the effect that Mr Northam was duly elected. A letter of apology for unavoidable absence wouid be read from Mr Barclay, wbe was still unable to leave the house.

Mr Talbot expressed his.rogret, in which he felt sure all the members shared, at the continued absence of Mr Barclay from such a cause, and {thought the Board should write to him to that effect, and - wishing him a speedy recovery.-r-Thlis was unanimously agreed to.

. Mr Barclay wrote giving bis opinions on certain pqinta before the; Board. He urged the necessity of near buildings at Geraldine, and the expediency of obuiniug a Validating Act to perdiit of f he present school site in Geraldine being sold. He suggested that sums jof, say, £l5O :should (be put aside as they • be spared, to form a fund‘for new buildings at Geraldine, is was done for Waimate. He also mentioned the necessity for enlarging the Hilton schoolhoutiS. _ I A number ol reports by the Inspector 1 of observations made at special visits to (

different schools were presented. The attendance at the Bo I field* school was re* ported to be bad, the average proportion of the roll number being not more than three fourths of what it should be. On the motion of Mr Barclay (par Mr Smyth), seconded by Mr Barker, the resolution passed some time age, that the Board would pay half the cost of gym* nastic apparatus on (committees’ paying the other halt, was rescinded. It was decided that candidates for pupil teacberships eaust have passed the sixth standard,tnitead^’’of'the fifth, as at present. r ./ The Rev. Mr Smyth moved the motion standing in his name—'.' That those assis* tant teachers who have been reduced in status and salary since last December without giving them three months' notice required-by the Act, have refunded them the amount deducted; from them in con* sequence of that degradation in status, leas the amount of. per cantega agreed to by the Board, and that they. be reinstated to their former positions if the attendance warrants it.” ■ Mr Smyth made some lengthy remarksin eupport of his motion, specially referring tothacaaa of Miss Feudal l , at Pleasant Point, who was re* dneed from the status and pay of an assistant teacher to that of a pupil teacher} without notice, on account of the falling off in the average: attendance.—Mr Pear* point seconded'the motion pro forma. — Four other teachers' had been similarly dealt with,- ; and - these ? have accepted the compromise, preferring to remain at work at a lower rata . than to be given three months’ notice on full pay. This compromise was not accepted by Mias Fend all, or her frisnds at Pleasant Point, they insisting that the regulations should be strictly adhered to.—The Chairman had obtained a legal opinion since last thoeting, which ; was in £ favor of the Pleasant Point arguments that according to the Board’s regulations they must pay the full scale salary, - and. give notice ef dismissal. Consequently the full salary (and arrears of deduction) had been paid to Miss Fendall, and she bad been giveaT three months’ notice; Mr Smyth stated, however, that aha wished to remain at her post, and the committee, head mister, sod parents wished her to be retained.— Mr Jackson, moved as an amendment—- “ That if Miss Fendsll remits ths amount she has been paid in excess of the usages of the Board, her notice of dismissal will be withdrawn.”—This was carried, all but Mr Smyth voting for it. Mr Symth moved—“ That Mr Grant be retained as head master of the Wsimtte school, " but this was negati veil. Aftsr the legal opinion in respect to the Geraldine election had been read, Mr Talbot moved—" That the Geraldine School Committee baying been illegally elected, tide the opinion of Messrs Perry and Firry, the election be declared void, end a fresh meeting of householders he , convened for the. election of a committee, the meeting to be held on Monday, June 26th,U888.’| ;■ rf It was resolved—" That a committee be appointed to revise,the regulations re* ferring to the employment and payment of teachers, and to’add such oew regulations as thsy think necessary ; the com* mittee to consist, of Messrs Barclay, Taltet, and Smyth, tha-* litter to be 1 ’ •VP .v-i’J

. The Building Committee reported that the building grant ;w;aß £1,152. £SO was set down for architect's s feck, and £l5O for cpntipgepeies. Thej urgeat buildings; i w e r« the' 1 following Beaconsfield, The C..v-, Peas mt View, " and flakateramea. Anticipating assistance from the householders, the Committee,!estimated the new buildings to cost £535. Special grants ware made for . St. Andrews, Hunter, Bridge, S.ilventfeam, Geraldin-, Timnru, Pleasaat Valley, costing in all £l9B. As sat forth these items absorbed £933< of the building grant.—After reading a letter from the Geraldine Committee urging npon the Board the necessity of pew buildings being erected, it was cesol.ved on the motion of Mr Talbot, seconded by Mr Pearpoint—- “ That the ohairinan he authorised to. gat a validating’Aict prepared, having for its object the disposal of the school buildings and grounds at Geraldine* also the disposal of certain town' Sections reserved for school purposes situate in, the township of Geraldine, and for authority to use the funds,from the sale.in tlie erection of new school i)uil<iiDgß at Geraldine.” Mr 1 O.- Oj^McCarthy-Was appointel master of the Winchester school, and Mr W. G. Wsstropp Of Opihi . Letters' were'read from the Timarn School Committee, ‘ asking * tanth teacher bp appointed ; ■ and from the Temuka committee,' that"! another pupil teacher be appointed.—The Committees’ applications were granted ‘ “ provided the / attendance returns for the current quarter entitle them to,such addition.” The Winchester Committee asked the Board’s approval of .the appointment of an assistant mistress, and members agreed that under the special, condition! of the Winchester School, conijequent on the opening of the new buildings and return of the pupils after being distributed amongst other schools, , the assistant teacher appointed by the Committee be approved by the Board, and the usual salary Tallowed in cases of similar attendance be paid for the .Current quarter

The South Canterbury Educational Institute wrote at length protesting against the? Board haying reduced the salaries without giving, notice required by the Act. On th ; e motion of Mr Smyth it _w»« resolved— 11 That further representationa having been received from the members of the South - nstitute concerning - their salaries, the Board ionce more express their sympathy with the teachersj and agree to strongly iimpress upon the Government the justice of furnishing such funds' as will enable the Board to pay their- -7 - teachers at the previous rates for the 1 ‘quarter ending March 21 at, and that 1 copies of this resolution be sent to ihediaambers for South Canterbury asking them to bring it before the Minister of Education.” It was decided that land outside the M limits of the playground at the schools. i» f° r the use Of the master.

The Inspector ihaying brought under the notice of the Board certain matter* relating: to the attendance, at the schools, it was-agreed that a circular be sent to all iSchool Committees,in this district drawing their attention to the regulations rt keeping their schools open on wet days, requesting that the regulations may be duly observed. Some other business not affecting this district was tramacted, and the meeting terminated. ;