Education Board.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume III, Issue 108, 14 February 1901, Page 3

Education Board.

Yesterday the Education Hoard hold its usual monthly meeting. A tender, .hat of Mr Fergussou, of this town. ,vas accepted for various repairs and improvements to schuolhouso and residence at Murvon.

A request from Lower Otaio tor a u'w range, together wit.li a nuiuhar of otheravquesrs for repairs of various kinds from Hunter. Woodbury, aud vlbury wore referred 10 the Building Jcmmil tee.

Thu haii-man of tho Milford Committee sought answers to several questions.: Who whs to compel payment for school books p.uichased by the committee and used by tho children,*? Uow ware children to be dealt with who eamu to school, hut neglected to furnish themselves with propel' text books. The inspectors were requested to enquire particularly into tho facts and to report. A petition from Wailmovunga, asking for a school in that neighbourhood was presented. The llov. G. Barclay remarked that though in all probability the school v/.juld bo small and far from selfsupporting, yet, under the circum stances, tile nearest school at present being distant some twelve miles,at was not a case (o bo parsed over. The lew. Barclay and Mr Gaw were appointed to visit the locality mid report. Some very Important reports on behalf of various committees were submitted and explained by tho Uev. Mr Barclay. 1. On District High Schools and the new financial arrangements.: As the Department had not yet furnished som necessary explanations, the committee was uiiabio to report finally, but probably some alteiations iu staffs and salaries may be looked for, 2. On p roposed ineremun s to teachers’ salaries (primary schools): Begivt was expressed that the Department had declined to furnish somo much called-for explanations, and all the Board could do was to point out whole multitudes of mistakes and discrepancies, and to notify tho Department that iho Board and the country will look for tho .fulfillment of the Minister's promise, that before any material change is made tho Board must be consulted in a proper manner.

8. On the proposed amendment lo Education Act and a •' Colonial hoolo While tho coimnittoo expressed no conservatism of a colonial aculo in itself, yet it appeared the proposal was encumbered by many defects and draw backs, and a batter plan would be to restore the old incidental grunt, leaving tho statutory grant of £3 15a to ho spent wholly on salaries, This would enable the Boards to raise considerably the scale of salaries throughout their respective districts. ■l, On Technical Education:: The committee desiderated at once tho appointment of a wellgualificd technical inspector to sot about the organisation of suchclasses as might be deemed to be most advisable ; and a Committee was suggested to co-operate with: such inspector ; no time to be lost, in taking some steps of a practical character. Also, that the Depait-' ment should appoint some person, or persons to give some instruction in those subjects to teachers and others who may be required to instruct in like subjects themselves. It was regretted that the Board,' being so sparsely attended, fit was not deemed expedient to go on with the discussion of these important motions at once, and a special meeting on the 25th was on for the purpose. : At tho request of the local committee, tho designation “Upper Otaio” was’.changed into “ Esk Valley.” Proposed by Mr Talbot, seconded; by Mr Jackson—“ That Mr Barclay be appointed to interview the Morven Committee, and to what use is made of The school: reserve there.”

It was also resolved that the; Building Committee have power to; let or sell.an.y-of (he smaller reserves at present unoccupied, and which are not likely to be used for building j purposes.