MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 1989, 20 May 1875, Page 2

MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

A special meeting of the Board of Education was held yesterday. Present: Dr. Campbell, (chairman), Mr Luckie, Mr Prime, and Mr Dargaville.—The report was read and adopted and ordered to be presented to his Honor the Superintendent. — Resolved :—" That under the powers vested in the Board of Education by clause 6 of the Education Act 1872, and in pursuance of provisions of clause 4 of the Education Act 1872 Amendment Act 1874, the Education Eate to be paid by every housholder within the Province of Auckland for the year 1875 shall and is hereby fixed at twenty shillings; and further, that in pursuance of clause 6 of the Education Act 1872 Amendment Act 1874, the rate to be levied for the year 1875 upon every male person of the age of 21 years and upwards residing within the province of Auckland who shall not be liable to pay the househ»uld rate hereinbefore fixed for the year 1875 shall be and is hereby fixed at ten shillings for every such person." Resolved, .that the following resolution be forwarded for the information of His Honor the Superintendent: " That the Board in fixing the extreme rates authorised by the Act hereby records- its opinion that the whole probable proceeds of such rates ;for the year 1875 will not be sufficient to pay liabilities already' incurred and current expenses to the 31st i of August." ! Sbcbetaby's Bepobt. I An elaborate report prepared by Mr F. J. Moss, secretary, was presented, of which the following is a digest, embracing the most interesting features :— SCHOOL FEES. ' Under this head the report reviews the condition of the provincial educational ] system under the Common Schools Act, when a grant of £4000 or £5000 was made from the general provincial revenue to supplement school fees. It states that the settlers then displayed a willingness to subscribe towards school buildings and fittiDgs that they have not done since the household tax was imposed; that experience had proved school fees to be insufficient to support schools in country districts. That liberal aid from the revenue would always continue to be necessary, whether fees were imposed or not. PREVIOUS POSITION OP EDUCATION. Under the Common Schools' Act there had been formed-up to the 31st of December, 1871, seventy schools, with 1990 pupils on the roll, and an average attendance on the roll of 1327 ; teachers, 70. School fees, were also paid of 245 V poor children at a cost of £700. The expenditure for the year, from public funds, was £3135 ; other sources, £3180. Total, £6315. The cost u per pupil was £3 3s 6d for the number enrolled during the year. There were no schools districts or committees, the work of the Board being confined to "the Inspector's visits, and to supplementing the sums raised in the districts. There were also no public schools* ia the city, the payment of school fees for parents who could not pay, being the only benefit reaped by the city from ' the vote. THE ACT OF 1872. Under the present -Act 108 districts have been created. The number of schools actually opened in the various districts on 31st March, 1875, was 104; the highest attendance on the roll, 8,284 ; the average attendance, 4,229 ; the number of teachers, 178. FINANCE. The financial year not ending till 30th June, the accounts of expenditure are not attached, but from April, 1874, till March, 1875, the expenditure and liabilities for the twelve months for tuition were :-f

AVEJIAQE COST PEU HEAD.—SCHOOL BUILDINGS. And showing a cost, inclusive of buildings, school furniture, advertising, printing, all contingencies, of £2 10, per - pupil, an average which would be reduced if the Board were in a position to put up large buildings suitable, especially in the city, to hold a larger number of pupils, and thus to show a greater number on the roll. The total value of school building:; and furniture belonging to the Province cannot be estimated at more than £6000, the majority of those in usp being hired from Churches and public bodies. . - -> ---.'.;-. SCHOLARSHIPS, BELIGIOITfI INSTRUCTION, ' ETC. - _ The examinations for scholarships have i been taken advantage of by the Board ! with good effect in offering certificates of , proficiency to pupils at private schools who present themselves for examination. In consequence of this step, the. interest in these examinations is increasing. The Board have instruction to committees and .to .teachers to. give eyerys facility to clergymen or others d**mps of -imparting religions instruction al&r school hours, and they are glad to sjy that no complaint has reached them on this head. The school committees have generally shown a strong desire to advance their scho6ls. . ■ - , J"'?.

BHOBTNESS OP FUNDS.' t On this. subject the report-stated that the constant appeals for funds to the Provincial Government were undesirable. The expenditure of the Board from March 31, 1874 to 31st March, 1875, for all pvrposes, wag £21,384 45.2 d. The proceeds from rate £10,540 13s Id. -, revenue from endowments, £488 7s - 4d. The balance of £10,346 3a 7d, was obtained from advances by the Provincial Government or the bank, pwing to the delay in levying the last rate, the Board cannot legally strike the next one till the 14th June, 1875, by which time the amount accruing will be forestalled,to the extent of £6,500; but this may be reduced £1000 by collections from the old rates. It will thus be impossible for the Board to carry on for another year unless befitting funds are provided. The endowments are so scattered and of such small present value as to offer no relief. - ,

BUILDING FUND.- '. The report stated that it was imperative that a building-fund should'be placed at the disposal of the Board, especially for the purpose of supplying suitable school accommodation in the city, and to furnish necessary- school fittings. It is stated that if a building-fund of £15,C00 were supplied for those purposes the other expenditure could be kept down to £20,000 per annum. The school buildings are now so crowded that tuition has been refused at some schools in consequence; a state of things which is unbearable. ' The report then furnishes some general statistics and comparisons with "the Provinces, and also the mode of dealing with salaries, endowments, &c. - ■' -'. .-

£ a d Teachers'salaries 16,707 1 0 Grants to Committees for Buildings, Eents, &o. ... 1,976 11 8 Departmental Expenditure and Inspection of Schools, including Trarellingj Print? ing, Amortising, and Rent 1,220 IP 2 Proyinpial Scholarships ... £50 Q 0 Maps, Books, &c, supplied to Schools freo . „, ... 377 S S Contingencies, including Ejaminations of Teachers, Pupils, &c. 62 12 1 Training Teachers 36 18 4 £20,530 14 11