S.O. BOARD OF EDUCATION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1811, 3 November 1888, Page 2

S.O. BOARD OF EDUCATION.

The monthly tubeting of the above Board was held on Thursday. Present— Mr S. W. Goldsmith (chairman), Revs. G. Barclay, and T. Jasper Srnythe, Messrs Pearpoint, Talbot, Barker, and Howell. The chairman in the course of his statement, stated the total average attendance for the September quarter was over 200 less than than thtt of the June quarter, in consequence of inclement weather, and the operation of the " strict average" system would cause a loss to the Board of nearly £2OO for the quarter. This falling off would affect the staffs of several schools, Timaru main ..school, Pleasant Valley, Sutherland, and possibly Fairlie Greek. The plans of the Geraldine sections had beeu prepared and were new in the handß of the solicitors for the preparation of the bill to allow of their sale. The architect sent in an explanation re alteration he had made in the specifications of the contract for certain work at the Peasant Valley school, in which he stated that as soon as he found there had been a mistake made he did his best to rectify it. He regretted that he did not lay the whole thing before the chairman before acting. A number of reports ou schools examined were presented y bthe inspector and the p»ss percentages were read. The following are the figures :

(6) Percentage of failure! in standard classes. (c) Percentage oo class subjects. (d) Adlitional marks for optional subject e. Deputations were received from Suther* hods and Care, the former to protest iigainst the removal of their school build* iDgs to the Cave, and the latter to support tbis and request a separate building.— After a long discussion Mr Talbot moved and it was carried—" That the office take the necessary steps to secure a school site at the Cave, in such posiuion as may be recommended by the Cave Sohool Committee ; further, that when the site ii secured the tender of Mr Black for the erection of a school be accepted, provided he is still prepared to go on with the work; failing this, fresh tenders to be invited."

The Revs. Barclay and Smytbe, and Mr VI. Gray were appointed a committee to conduct the board's annual scholarship uxamioatious, with power to make all arrangements, and procure the services of examiners.

Mr Wood, headmaster of the Timaru school, wrote req jesting that his salary should not be allowed to suffer on account of the recent fall in the average attendance. In reply to a question, the secretary stated that the reduction would only amount to £2 for the quarter, and after a discussion the subject dropped without any resolution being passed. On the moiion of the Rev. Mr Barclay a resolution was passed to the effect that school buildidga may be used for the purpose of holding religious services whether insured or not.

Ihe architect reported on defects in the guttering and roofing of the Temuka school, which were the cause of leaks and damage to the ioterior. He,.estimated the cost at_ £6 10* to £fL—Necessary repairs to be effected. A letter from the Otago Board expressed approval of the board's protsst against the ''strict average system." They bad protested against it before. The Albury committee was granted £5 for repairs to outbuildings, blown over by the late heavy gale, ; ; A report on the leakage of the roof of the Woodbury sohool by the chairman of committee snowed that a good deal of expense would have to be incurred to put things right.

The Pleasant Point committee was granted £1 for drainage purposes. The residents of Aruudel Village Settlement wrote asking the board to re* consider their decision refusing, on the report of ifr Pearpoint, to erect a school there.—No steps to be taken at present. It was resolved—" That Mr Barclay be requested to submit on next board day estimates fer certain expenditure at Geraldine ; also of cost of repairs at Woodbury;" and" That tenders be oalled for the classroom to the South Onri school, to be laid before the board at next meeting.' The meeting then terminated.

(«) (*)<•) W Burke's Puss ... ... 45 31 42 26 Upper Wsitobi ... 34, 47 41 48 RaDgitira Valley ... 23 60 41 43 jFairlie Creek ... ... 45 25 58 51 rofcara Valley ... ... 50 0 50 54 Fairview ... ... 67 15 CO 51 Mount Gay ... SI 30 54 34 Pleasant Point... ... 48 25 68 80 Silrerstream ... ... 33 35 23 54 Sutherland's ... ... 45 22 ,49 35 Opibi ... 31 50 46 39 (a) Percentage of passes on roll number.