EDUCATION BOARD.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 208, 25 January 1872, Page 6

EDUCATION BOARD.

The adjourned half-yearly meeting of the Education Board was held on Thursday last!

The Board took into consideration (1) the report of the select committee of the Provincial Council on the petitions of Roman Catholic inhabitants of the Province, Session xxiv, ; (2) a resolution of the Provincial Council, Session xxix., relating to the said report and petitions ; and (3) a memorandum on the satne subject by the Provincial Secretary : — It was resolved (1) that the schoolmasters and other teachers employed under the Board be enjoined to strictly adhere to the terms of the Education Ordinance, 1864, in regard to the reading of the Bible and religious instruction ; to take care that both parents and children be informed that attendance at such reading or instruction is optional ; and to avoid the use of any lessons containing words or expressions offensive to Roman Catholics or other denominations of Christians. (2) That the Secretary be instructed to take steps in conjunction with school committees and teachers to secure the use of such class books in the public schools as shall give the least possible offence to Roman Catholics and other denominations of Christians. (3) That the Board express their appreciation of the prudent and fair manner in which they believe the schcol committees and teachers have generally acted in the past, in reference to the reading of [the Bible, and the imparting of religious instruction in the public schools. (4) That a copy of these resolutions be forwarded to every school committee and every teacher connected with the* Board.

Mr. Ferrier wrote asking whether scholarships would be given this year, and it was resolved that they should, and that the Secretary, in conjunction with the Rector of the High School, be requested to furnish the necessary suggestions for three scholarships.

The list of appointments during the past half-year was read, and the various appointments approved.

Claims for rental and for two-thirds of repairs, amounting in all to £276 16s. 2d., were referred to the Executive.

Applications from Waihola, Hampdeu, and Waipori, each for a sewing mistress ; from Otepopo and Maungatua, each for a male pupil teacber; and from Palmerston, for a schoolmistress, were referred to the Government.

There were 11 memorials for new schools.

Evans Flat and Beaumont were each granted a subsidy of £50 per year. Fourteen applications were received for school buildings, and referred to

the Executive

Applications for -main schools and for rent allowance and salaries were deferred until the annual reports had been all received, when a general examination into matters regarding buildings, distances of schools from each other, and proportion of teaching power to number of pupils, would be made.