EDUCATION BOARD.

Otago Witness, Issue 2490, 4 December 1901, Page 13

EDUCATION BOARD.

The Education Board met on Tue&day afternoon, the Rev. P. B. Fraser (chairman) presiding. All the members were present — Messrs D. Borrie, W. Snow, James Sim, J. Mitchell, W. Nicolson, T. Mackenzie, M.H.R., R. Peattie, and A. Marshall.

A DEPUTATION FROM KAITANGATA,

A deputation consisting of Messrs James Hislop, A. Blackie, and Dr Fitzgerald, and representing the Kaitangata School Committee, waited on the board to urge the institution of a septic tank in the school grounds in preference to spending the £25 voted on repairs to the pchool clo=ets. The Chairman pointed ovt that the architect's estimate of the cost of a septic tank was £136.

After some discussion Mr Mackenzie moved — " That the Borough Council's attention be called to section 53 of ' The Public Health Act, 1900,' and that they be requested to state what action they purpose taking to provide for the removal of nightsoil from the school." It seemed to him that if they were going to undertake the construction of septic tanks — which might be an excellent thing for them to do — they would require a much larger grant from the Government. IL would, however, free the local body from any responsibility. In the meantime, however, something should be done by the local authority. Mr Peattie seconded the motion. Mr Nicoleon moved as au amendment — ' That consideration stand over till ' the school committees' allowance 1 ; are considered." The amendment on being seconded was put and negatived. Mr Sim, moved as a further amendment — "That the request be granted." — This lapsed for want- of a. seconder. Mr Marshall moved — " That the repairs be carried out as suggested by the architect." — This was afrio lost. Mr Mackenzie's motion was then put and carried. AX OFFER 3TBOM THE AET SOCIETY. Mr Joachim, piesident of the Art Society, wrote as follows: — "As it may be of some educational advantage for the school children to see the pictures in the Otago Art Society's exhibition, I write to say the society will admit any of the children from the Fifth and the Sixth Standards of the board's schools free on any morning between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. until the gallery closes on Friday next provided they are accompanied by a teacher from each school." — The offer was accepted with thanks. SUNDRY REPAIRS AND IMPROVEMENTS. The following claims for half cost of improvements were granted: — Alexandra (repairs to fence and residence), £2 ; Broad Bay (draining and improvisig ground), £2 10s ; Glenkenich (repairs to fencing, etc.), £6 ; Miller's Flat (painting inside of residence), -£1; Otakou (fencing), £3 3s; Tokomairiro (repairs to building), £2 Os 6d ; AVetherstones (painting, etc., to residence), £5 7s 6d. ■

GENERAL,

An application fi'om the Allanton Committee for a bell to cost £5 9s was declined. Regarding a school site at Remoana it was decided to write to Mr D. Rakatapa asking him to obtain the consent of the Maoris to transfer of the site to the Government, so as (o obviate the necessity of removing the fcchool from that site. The request of the teacher at Heriot to be allowed to lease the residence was declined. The Seacliff Committee were allowed to cut down certain trees on the school ground and plant a hedge. It was agreed to have the repairs required to the drains at Albany street effected during the summer holidays. A letter was read from the Forbury Committee, requesting renewal and repairs to fencing, at a cost of £8 10s. — Agreed to. The architect reported on the state of the JDuhback SJchool. — It was' decided to call for alternative tenders for the sale of the Nenthorn School, and for its removal to Dunback, the architect to report on the value at the next meeting of the board. An application was received from the Balclutha Committee for additions to the residence. A report on the matter was read from the architect. — The request was declined, but the architect was instructed to attend to the ventilation. The Secretary commenced to read a letter from Mr Eason, of Katea, when exception was taken to its phraseology, and the board declined to hear more of it. It was decided to repair the shed at Leith Valley, estimated to cost £7. The Kurow Committee asked for the enlargement of the infanta' room, and forwarded a lengthy letter from Dr Stevens on the matter. The committee's letter, was referred to the inspector who last visited the school, and the doctor's lettei to the Keports Committee. The secretary was granted leave of absence to attend a conference of secretaries of Education Boards, to be held in Wellington shortly. The Ravensbourne Committee made application for additional assistance for the completion of grounds and buildings. The architect reported on the state of the roof of the school. — The Chairman remarked that the amount of money the board had given to this school was enormous. — The Secretary reported that it had cost £1470 19s during the past two years. — The committee were referred to their own chairman's letter of October 1, 1900, and the application was declined.

THE TROUBLE AT WABEPA

The Kaihiku Committee recommended that a site be secured on section 1, block LXXXVIII, Warepa. TFie architect reported on the buildings. Settlers at Warepa station wrote, asking for a definite reply to their proposal to purchase a site and erect a school if the board would supply a teacher. The Warepa Bush settlers asked that the old school be given them to remove and reerect at their own expense, and that the board should supply a teacher. — A good deal of discussion " ensued. Eventually Mr Borrie moved—" That the petitioners foi a school at the railway station site be asked if the erection of a school at the cross roads, between blocks LXXXI and LXXIII, on the eastern side of Moa Hill, will suit them, and that the Kahiku residents be asked if they have any objection to the removal of the school to that place, and that consideration of the erection of the buildings be put off till next meeting." — This was duly seconded and agreed to.

MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS.

The Inspector reported on an application from Ardgowan for the establishment of a school. The Weston Committee also wrote on the same matter. — It was decided to send the inspector's report to the Weston Committee, and to defer consideration till next ttMtinfr

A reply was read from the Port Molyneux Committee on a proposal to close the school, and it was decided to take no action in the matter.

A letter was received from Mr Kiixgan, of Wanaka, asking that the W-uiaka School bo removed to a site mitable for both Wanaka and Maungawera. — Consideration deferred, pending a reply from Maungawera. An application was received from Glenledi for the re-opening of the scbool. — Inspector Bossence reported that when he was last at Glenledi there were nine children of school age, and there was a probability of an increase in the near future. — It was decided to give the settlers the option of subsidising the school, and thus assisting in the maintenance of the teachei.

Mr Stenhouse, head master, Lawrence, apnlied to retain the services of Miss Hay, as aa ex-pup 1 * teacher.— The request was referred b^ck for further information.

A letter was read from the Tuapeka Flat Committee asking that a month'? salary be paid to Miss Isabella Cormack, who had kept the school up after her sister had received another appointment. The Secretary read the following telegram from Mr Hogben, secretary to the Education Department: — "With reference to the request that December quarter's capitation be based on June quarter's attendance. I am directed to state that Government will not take any action at -present." Mr Jack, teacher at Maerewhenua, wrota asking that his salary should be 'paid on the average attendance of the previous quarter. He stated that sickness was very prevalent, but he had frequently kept the school open for the benefit of the scholars who attended. His salary for the previous month had been £8 odd, and for the month previous to that £11 odd.— Mr Mitchell suggested that the letter should be sent to the Minister. The Government were making a great profession in Parliament about doing justice to the teachers, and this was how it was working out. He moved in the direction he had suggested. ■ Mr Snow seconded the motion, which was carried.

Mr W. Davidson, teacher at Mornington, applied for permission to move a room at the residence. — The request was granted, provided the board was not involved in any cost regarding the work. The Chief Inspector reported adversely on a number of the school residences in Central Otago, and recommended that the architect should be instructed to visit the district and report. The following tenderg were accepted: — New class room, Tapanui — Messrs Shepherd and Potts, £363; new school, Waihemo — W. H. Clai'k, £192 10s; additions to residence, Naseby— J. Drake and Co., £126 15s; new outhouses, Naseby — Jas. Mitchell.. £43 ; new outhouses, Caversham— Peter Jansen, £135. The board then went into ?ommittee.

The Education Board met again on Wednesday afternoon, at 2 o'clock, the following members being in their places': — Rev. P. B. Fraser (chairman), Messrs D. .Borrie, W. Snow, W. Nicolson; R> Peattie, Jv Mitchell, and A. Marshall.

BESIGNATIONS AND APPOINTMENTS.

The following resignations were accepted: — William Bannerman, head teacher, Kyeburn; Blanche A. Murray, head teacher, Sutton; Oswald H. Trochon, pupil teacher, School of Art.

> Appointments were made as follow: — A. E. -Barraclough, head teacher, Bannockburn, vice Smith (left the service) ; Blanche A. Murray, mistress, St. Leonards, a new appointment.

GENERAL.

A statement was laid on the table by the secretary, and which was prepared at the request of the department, showing the teachers entitled to receive a share of the special grant-in-aicl made by Parliament in 1900. The amount to be distributed was £2074- Bs, and apportioned in sums ranging from £1 to' £38. — The statement was approved by- the board and "ordered to be sent on to the department. The Chairman reported having visited Alexandra in company with the secretary and authorising the erection of a tent for the temporary accommodation of the children till a permanent building could be erected, and also recommended the erection of a room for the infant department, tenders to be called for the work at once. — Approved.

The proposed scholarship regulations were brought up. The Chairman explained that the regulations were only tentative, and suggested that they should be adopted for one year. — The regulations were approved (MiMitchell dissenting) and recommended for the consentTof the Minister.

The Chairman moved, in accordance with a notice of motion tabled by him, to rescind a resolution passed by the board taking exception to the action of the Education Department relating to the Eweburn School. — Mr Nicolson seconded the motion, which wjls agreed to. Accounts amounting to £5677 15s 4d were passed for payment.

The next meeting of the board was fixed for Friday and Saturday, December 6 and 7.