BOARD OF EDUCATION.

Auckland Star, Volume XVII, Issue 201, 27 August 1886, Page 3

BOARD OF EDUCATION.

The Board met at 2 p.m. to day. Preaont: Messrs S. Luke (Chairman), Udy, Carr, Goldie, Lennox, Upton, and W.. P. Moat.

Teachers. —The Chairman reported that the following arrangements had beon made : —Miss M. Stilwoll, pupil tenoher Kauaeranga Boys' School; Mr H. Tidmnreh, Aratapu achool, classified as probationer. Messrs D. W. Jones and H. A. Hnßfack were informed that their applications for increases of salaries had held over till quarterly adjustmont. Protest he Scholarship Examination. —The following communication was le ceived from ths Thames Teachers Association : "I am directed by the memborß of tho Thames Teachers Association to ac» knowledge your telegram of Friday, that examination in history would be re-taken. Toey desire to tnauk the Board for the same, but leel that it i* their duty ts further approach the Board on the grammar anil English composition papers. They wish to point out (a) That when the syllables wi a under discussion the Board abandoned tie oth Standard code a3 being too severe ftr children of IS years. (6) That tho pr sent grammar paper is much more difficult thin those sot by tho Board's inspect).- from time to time at the Cth standard examination, (c) That the printed syllabus Eays "Analysia of easy complex sentencos, ea»-y derivations," but that tho poetry and prose sot cannot be considered easy complex sentences, nor can such words aa "a ona ment," "blackguard," "caitiff," "idiot," "chivalry," "quaint," be thought easy derivations. («i) That in the syllabus for English composition, it ia provided, "How to begin, end and address official, commercial or fnmilar letters, "but in the composition pipers set letters aeked for (1) official, asking aid to select books for the Free Library ; (_) — Businesp, undertaking a contract for kauri gum. (c) Thai tho time specified on the grammar paper was too short for the amount of work to bo done. They very respectfully request the Boards' consideration of the objections. They are not rheant to be either factious or ob:-tructious, but are made with a view of assisting to bring about a final settlement of the question. Neither do the teachers wish it to be thought that they in any way attack the examiher, but they cannot help feeling how necessary is their examination who|have come in contact with the children, and "are able to measure their powers. Letters on the same eubjeot were read from Mr Adam, Head-master of tbe Thames High School, and Mr D. O'Donogbue, teacher of Tuakau School.—Mr Upton said it was evident that the Board had made a mistake in departing from their established rules, but it was too late now. It was decide to acknowledge the reteipt of the letters, Mr Lennox stating that the action taken by the Board had no disrespect to Dr. Posnett. He objeoted to the formation of scholarship classes, which gave an undue advantage to pupils at city schools. The Board generally expressed the opinion that the practise of holding of scholarship classes in school hours was a great evil, but it was decided to suspend action pending the receipt of further correspondence. Wade.—The tender of Mr Chester, £0, for painting this school, was accepted. The highest tender was £17. Awittj.—This was an application for a teacher's house. It was decided to consider the matter as soon as funds are available. , Kaihu —This was an offer from Mr Kiddell of a house for teacher's, in exchange for land now offered for sale by Crown Lands Board. Writer waa requested to state price required for house. Kaukihohore.— Matter of school improvement waa referred to Mr Alright to report. ~ ~ Kawakawa.—There was an application for increased accommodation, there being 140 children on the roll, and only accommodation for 120.-Consideration deferred. School Examination. — Tho recommendation of the inspectors to examine country schools in summer and town schools in winter was conaidored and deferred.

The gold-repeater watch worn by Nelson at Trafalgar ia now in tho pocket of a " distinguished " Anglo-Australian. Australian oranges and wines, in course of shipment to London, have, been plundered by the crew of the a_s. Sorata. Another testimony to the growing importance of the colonies. An agitation has been started in Melbourne to urge the abolition of duty on gristing oats in bond, aa has been granted in the case of wheat.