MASTERTON SCHOOL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3916, 18 September 1891, Page 2

MASTERTON SCHOOL.

The monthly meeting of the Commissioners of the Maßterton school was held last evening, there being present, Messrs E. Feist (Chairman), C. E. Daniel], W. Perry, J. Williams, W. M. Easthope, and W. G. Beard. The Treasurer reported a credit balance at date of 12s 9d. A communication was received from the Education Board, stating that the grant for buildings had not yet been made by Farlianient, but the application for a grant for the infant school would be considered as soon as they knew what amount for buildings was available.

The Board also wrote, stating that the police officers had been instructed to act as truant officers. A letter was read from the Town Lands Trustees with reference to the annual grant, requesting a statement of the full amount required by the Committee. The Chairman explained the position taken up by the Committee with reference to the application to the Trust for grants The Secretary was instructed to write to the Trust, pointing out that Applications had already been made for the sums required. teacher's report The head teacher reported the number of names on the roll to be 603, the average attendance 501, and the percentage of Attendance 82. The attendance during the month had been affected owing to the prevalence of colds. Miss Keeling reported that at the infant school there were 105 names on the roll. The highest attendance was 93, the West 61, and the average 85. A new lock was required for the desk in the school. The visiting member was instructed I to put on a new lock as requested. SCRIPTURAL LESSONS. The Rev. K.-Wood watted on the I Committee and, representing his own as welt as the Anglican and Wesleyan Churches, requested the use of the main school for half an hoar one afternoon a woek for the imparting of Scriptural knowledge. It was not a new thing in the Colony for these concessions to be made. They only asked that half an hour a week be conceded for Scriptural lessons, . The question of denominationalism Would not be introduced. They did not intend to teach from catechisms, but would give lessons from the book of Proberbs and such like. The Revs. Dukes, Paige and himself would be responsible for the imparting of the instruction. He would ask that his request be ftiven full consideration. Mr Beard: Do you propose that the teachers assist you ? The Rev. Wool : No, Sir. We would undertake io give the instruction. The teachers could voluntarily assist if they wished. The religious element has not been eliminated from some schools down south. Io teach children an additional half hour would be sure to result in a failure. We therefore ask for a concession of half an hour.

The Chairman: The Act requires that five hours in each day shall be devoted to secular education. The Rev. Wood: I have then misread the Act, I thought that it was four hours.

Mr Beard : Would you propose to make it compulsory for the children to attend between the hours of 9 and 9.30, supposing you were to give your instruction at that time.

The Rev. Wood : Not exactly. It would be monstrous in any way to make it compulsory. The Chairman explained that Mr Jackson considered the proposal impracticable. Mr Jackson: The Act requires that we shall give five hours' secular instruction.

Mr Beard asked it' it would not be feasible for the various denominations to arrange to give their instruction on Saturdays. The Rev. Wool replied that he did not think" this would be convenient for Ministers. He would, however, have to censult his brother Ministers on this point. Mr Jackson stated that scriptural lessons had been given after school hours at Mount Cook School in Wellington.

The Chairman said he was favourably disposed to the proposal. He thought, however, they should give the matter full consideration.

Mr Williams: Would the religious instructions be confined alono to the Ministers of the three Churches named ? For instance, would there He any objection to the Salvation Army cooperating ? The Rev. Wood said he was willing that the Roman Catholic Church should have a say in the matter. The ministrations of the Salvation Army were, however, peripatetic, Mr Beard thought they should only consider the application before them. Mr Easthope : When do you propose beginning, Mr Wood ? The Rev, Wood: We expected that you would give us your reply by tha next meeting, We have no time fixed. Mr Jackson said he woul4 be glad to assist anythiog tending in the direction of mortl education. He would not, however, favour any additional task being placed upon the children. For instance, he would not care for the children to be given long religious lessons so that their memories would be taxed. Mr Beard did not think it fair to add on to the time of the school staff. Mr Jackson intimated tbat be was not prepared to relinquish the responsibility during school hours. The Chairman said the Act provided that the Ministers should be responsible.

Mr Daniell: All we can do is to give permission for the use of the school.

Mr Easthope said that whilst they could not compel the school staff to assist, they could not prevent them from doing 80. The Chairman moved, "That the request of the deputation that the use of the schpoj be granted for half an hour outside the school boars for the imparting of religious instruction be , • *~ » acceded «,«, Mr Easthope seconded.

Mr Beard suggested that the matter be held over till next meeting to allow of its receiving fujl consideration. The Chairman was prepared to hold the matter over. After further discussion it was decjdefll to reserve decision till 'meeting, ACCOUNTS. The following accounts were passed for payment when funds permit:— L. Nicholson, 6s 6d; W. Prangnell, £1 10s. TRUANTS, Some discussion took place on the question of certain children absenting themselves from school, but no action was taken. VISITING HEMBER. Mr Perry was appointed visiting member for the month, and the meeting then adjourned, i