BOARD OF EDUCATION.

Auckland Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 273, 19 November 1887, Page 3

BOARD OF EDUCATION.

A meeting of the above body was held at 2 p.m. yesterday in the Board's office, Victoria Arcade. There were present: Messrs Luke (chairman), Carr, Lennox, Upton, Udy and Cooper.

Cjiaibjian's Report, r—This report was read and adopted. Amongst other matters it stated that tho Newton East School Committee had been requested to furnish particulars re the late caning , case in order that thoy might be forwarded to the Minister of Education.

Training College Visiting Committee. —The report of this Committee recommended : In reply to Mr Jeune's letter, your Committee report that the reasons given by the head master for closing t'Jft free night school on the oceasicw of the public inquiry held by tMT Newton School Committee are satisfactory ; also that Mr Reed be relieved at his own request from nightly attendance at the night school, and be replaced by Mr W. H. Newton until the midsummer vacation. With regard to the letter from the City Schools Committee relative to the stoppage of salary in the case of teachers absent from duty without permission, the Committee recommended that a reply be sent to the effect that the Board is prepared to consider any recommendation for salary which the Committee may make in special cases of teachers absent without leave.—The first two clauses were adopted. The last clause was adjourned on the motion of Mr J. M. Lennox, as he wished to bring forward a motion dealing with the matter. He gave notice that he would move as follows:—"That the following alterations be made in clause 19 of the regulation. After the word ' obtained' and before the word ' every' in the second line, the foL lowing be inserted: ' All teachers absenting themselves from dutyshallhavetheirsalaries stopped during such absence. Any cases of hardship arising from this regulation may be considered on application to the Board.'" Mr Cooper favoured the report of tVie Committee being adopted, lie thought that the school committees were the proper pei-sons to state whether or nob a teacher was entitled to payment for absence. Mr Upton thought that such a resolution as that proposed by Mr Lennox would press very hard upon some teachers. The Chairman thought that the Committee ought not to interfere with teachers' salaries. That was a matter entirely for the Board

School Management.—A letter was received from the Government, asking for the views of the Board upon the following points: (1) As to raising the age upon which the capitation allowance is paid. (2) As to the payment of fees for higher standards. (3) Whether your Board can make any suggestion as to the most economical working of tha Act. (4) If your Board can suggest any alteration which would improve the syllabus. The letter further stated that tho Committee proposed asking their inspectors, also the various teachers' associations, for their views upon the above points.—The consideration of the letter was adjourned for one week.

Christmas Holidays.—Mr S. W. Hill wrote protesting against the shortening of the Christmas holidays. A number of letters were also rend with regard to the midsummer vacations. The Auckland branch of the Teachers' Association wrote protesting against any reduction. . Mr O'Sullivan also wrote pointing out that owing to the examinations coming on during tho holidays, some teachers would be required as supervisors. A letter also rcadfrom the Chairman of School Committees, favouring the curtailment of the holidays. Mr Cooper considered that the holidays were not too long. They would bo doing a wrong both to teachers and scholars in reducing the holidays. He considered that the teachers wore a very hard-worked class, and required some consideration. The truth was, that some parents would rather have the children at school all the year round than be compelled to keep them under their own eye. They seemed to think that the State should train their children altogether. He would favour an eight weeks' vacation at Christmas instead of the few others duriug the year. Eight weeks would afford an opportunity for the teachers to go into the country. He therefore moved, " That it is inexpedient to shorten tho midsummer holidays."— Mr Lennox moved as an amendment, " That the request of the united committees be complied with." He thought that the children were better in school than cramped up at home. Ho looked upon the request of the Chairman as the voice of the people. While he thought a great deal of their teachers, he must say that they had easy times. If they could not work 202 days of 5£ hours a day in the twelve month, or 126 days at 8 hours a day, then the teachers had no right to be getting so much money for so little work. He would certainly say let the holidays be shortened.— Mr Upton supported Mr Cooper's motion, as he thought tha shortening of the holidays was inexpedient at present. For financial reasons alone he should approve the amendment.— Mr Udy said that he would vote for the amendment. Hβ thought that it would be no injustice lo shorten the holidays, at the same time he thought it unjustforteachersto.be compelled to study for examinations during vacations. He would like to see the midwinter holidays entirely stopped, He thought that the Board should pay some notice to the voice of the school committees.—lheChairman said he would vote for Mr Cooper's motion. He would, however, be very sorry to see the midwinter holidays stopped. That was a nice break for the teachers. He drew attention to the regulations dealing with tho length of the holidays which had been formed after a conference of school committees. Clause 18 of the Auckland Educational Act reads as follows with recard to the holidays:-" Class I. In all Schools within a radius of three miles from the Auckland Post-office, and in all other schools which have an average attendance of 100 or more for the last preceding quarter —Christmas, from the Friday next before Christmas Day to the Monday following January 29th (both days excepted); Easter, a week; midwinter, a week (the last m Tune); Michaelmas, a week (the last in SeDtember); also, the following single holilaK Good Friday, Queen's Birthday, the ShdayofthePrinceofWales,andanyother holidays public which the Committee may think it desirable to observe. Class 11. In all schools beyond aradiusof tyranniesfrom She Auckland Post Office and having an average attendance under 100 for the last weeding quarter: Christmas, 4 weeks; Sterwo week; Midwinter, one week; Mtehaelmas, one week. Committees of Schools in Class 11. may at their discretion Kγ than seven weeks nor more f »Swy tut th « amendment. Mr Kk'o £™ hi/oMtb* vote In favour of the m &Xs£SHOO P^Me M r, H. PU, .«d Thompson and White tendered a was t^f^S. clerk of works, at a to appoint Mr Gross Alwrig ht offered bWy of the clerk oiwSs, on account ofboiM thereby ro ? lieved from certain duties.