EDUCATION BOARD.

Press, Volume XLV, Issue 7124, 21 July 1888, Page 6

EDUCATION BOARD.

An ordinary meeting of the Jnorth Canterbury Education Board was held on Thursday afternoon. Present —Messrs W. Chrystal (Chairman), A. H. Cunningham, E. G. Wright, T. li. Anson, T. S. Weston, A. "W. Peryman, J. Ruddenklau, and C. C. Bo wen.

The business done by the Chairman was approved. The Appointments Committee reported, in reply to an application from the Ashburton Forks School Committee, for the retention of the mistress, it was resolved that as the average had not for a considerable time been up to the requisite number, the previous decisison should be adhered to. The Little River School Committee having reported that there was no one in the school qualified for appointment as pupil teacher, it was resolved to advertise. A letter was received from the Oxford East School Committee giving further information respecting the employment of Mr Daries. Two months' additional leave was given to Miss Weir, of St. Albans, without salary. In reply to a letter from the German Bay School Committee, askin"- for all the applications, in order that they might select a married man, they were informed that all had been sent which were suitable, and none kept back but those against which there was some valid objection. If the Committee were noc satisfied, it was suggested that the Board should advertise The Waikuku School Committee forwarded a letter from the master, giving reasons why the removal of the pupil teacher should not be insisted on. It was decided that she might remain for the present. The Kaikoura Town School Committee reported that Miss Matheson, pupil teacher, wished to resign on account of ill-health, aud naked for an assistant, as there was no one available for appointment as pupil teacher. The resignation of Miss Mailieson was accented, and it was decided to advertise for an assistant. A letter fro:n the Kaiapoi School Com luitcee. taking exception to some remarks in the 'inspection report, was referred to Mr Wood. h\ reply to mi application, from the East Christchurch Committee for three more pupil teachers, one was authorised at the South belt school, and one iv place of Miss Paul, resigned. There appeared no occasion for a third, as the main school had the full number allowed by the scale. A letter was received from the same School Committee, expressing their disapproval of the Inspector's recommendation as to the arrangement of the stc.fi" in the side school. In reply, it was resolved to explain the principle on which these schools were organised, viz., that the principal mistress should take the position involving the largest share of work and responsibility, that is, the infant department. The following appointments were made:—Southbridge, Miss L. McKee, mistress; Saltwater Creek, Mrs Howie, mistress ; North Road, Samuel Ferguson, pupil teacher; Kaiapoi, Edith Howe, pupil teacher. Inspection, reports were received —From Mr Wood, on .North road, main and side, Suniner, Governor's Bay, Ciiarteris Bay, Teddiugton, Port Levy. From D. Anderson, on Elgin, Tinwald, Winslow, l-'leraington. Ashton, Longbcach, Hinds, Longueach, Hinds, Ashourcon Forks, Mayiield (main and side), Lismore, Mount Somers. From W. Hogben, on Broadtield, West Melton, Halkett, Aylesbury, Courtenay, Glentunnel. The report was adopted. The Buildings Committee reported:— Mr Wright reported that he had visited the Harewood Road School. He recommended that the proposal to move to another site be not entertained; that a new room, 30 x 20, be added at the northea3t end of the present building ; and that a new closet aud the sum of £5 for gravelling be allowed. The report was approved. Mr Peryman reported on the application for improvements to the infants' room at Bromley. He recommended a new window at the end of the room, the removal of part of the gallery, repairs to the spouting:, and an expenditure of £4 for gravelling. The report was approved. The repairs recommeuded by the Cierk of Works, Spreydou, Oxford East School, were authorised; tenders to be called for. The sum of £i was allowed to the School Committee of Akaroa for the material required for repairs to the fencing, they undertaking to pay for the labor. In reply to an application for a wasb,-house and for painting the picket fence at New Brighton, it was resolved that the former could not be allowed, and that there were no funds for painting. The sum of £3 was allowed to the School Committee at Alford Forest for stopping a leak in the roof of the master's house, and for a new gate. The Westerlield School Committee reported that the pipe in the well wanted driving deeper, and that the site as pegged out did not correspond with the land conveyed. The Clerk of Works was directed to report I about the well. It was resolved to ' ask Mr Kawdon whether any arrangement could be made respecting the site. The Clerk of Works was directed to report las to repairs said to be necessary at the Lincoln school, to the roof and floor of the infants' room and the roof of the master's house. The View Hill School Committee ! were authorised to call for tenders for fencing, the a 'joining proprietor having aareed to pay halE the cost. The West Melton School Committee forwarded the required information about the well, and asked for a urinal as recommended by the. Inspector. The sum of £1 was allowed for i the urinal; the other matter was deferred ■ till there should be funds available. The Lismore School Committee forwarded a I statement of small repairs required at the house. They were all considered incidental except a leakage in the roof, the repairing of which was authorised. An extra incidental grant of £12 was allowed to the Ferry Road School Committee toivards the cost of scavenging. An application for painting and for some lepairs by the South Rakaia Committee was deferred till there should be funds available. An alteration in the .cillery at Tinwald, recommended by the Inspector, was authorised. The sum of £3 was allowed to the Lauriston School Committee towards the cost of renewing the dividing fence. A letter was read from the Chri.stchurch East School Committee complaining that necessary repairs were not attended to. The Clerk of Works reported that all the repairs authorised were finished or in hand. The question of the sewage pipes was considered, and the substitution of 6in pipes for 4in was agreed to. Closet-pans for the South belt School were allowed. The memorandum from the Department respecting the use of schoolrooms for purposes of amusement, such as dancing, was considered, and it was resolved to send a circular to all School Committees as requested. A letter from Mr Hoban, of Mason's Flat, respecting the way in which •iancing was carried on iv the schoolroom there, was referred to the Board. An application was received from residents ut New Brighton for a new school, for which at present there were no tunds available. The Clerk of Works reported that he had visited the Flemington .school. He found the chimney in good condition, but choked up with birds' nests; the fence and gates entirely decayed, and the master's house in need of papering. It was resolved to allow the School Committee £2 for a ladder and £5 for gates and papering if they would find the balance. The following tenders were accepted :— French farm, repairs, B. White, £35; Mount Somers, repairs, Barnes and Smith, £5-1 ; Templeton, repairs, G. Calder, X'll 7s. An account from H. Pyne, for pump, &c. at Templeton, £7 8s Gd, was passed or payment. The report was adopted. The East Christchurch School Committee wrote concerning certain repairs Which wer* said to be necessary. Mr J. T. Smith, who had written the letter, complained of the want of attention on the part of the Board. Mr Pkrymas, Chairman of the Building Committee, stated that the statements were unfounded. More attention was paid to this Committee than to any other. The Chaibman endorsed Mr Peryman'a remarks.

Mr Wright said that perhaps some of -the difficulty arose from a want of knowledge by the School Committees as to what they had to do with their incidental fund. It might be as well if some definite rules were laid down as to the class of works that should be done out of the incidental fund.

It was ultimately agreed that in this instance the letrer be simply received, and that the Buildings Committee be requested to suggest the incidentals a School Committee shall be expected to meet.

Mr Cckxingham stated that he had read the reports, and found them satisfactory.

Mr T. Iloban, of Mason's Flat, complained bitterl/ that the practice of dancing was being carried on in the schoolroom, to the damage of the 3cbool, and he drew a horrible picture ot th results.

Mr Perymax pointed out that at one school the furniture was much damaged by being left out in the wet after the school had been used for dancing.

The Chairman said the Government had issued a circular that it would not rebuild schools burned down through dancing being carried on in them.

Mr C. C. Bowen would like the Committees to be written to suggesting the advisableness of dancing being suppressed. Mr Wright would like to see something done by which the use of the schools could be restricted for amusements.

Mr Anson would have all the schools remonstrated with.

I: was agreed to remonstrate with the Committees, aud also to communicate with the Government, asking for power to place certain restrictions on the schools. The request of the Dartield School Committee for a schoolmistress, was acceded to. Mr Wright then brought forward his motion— *' That in future the Board meet only once in each month for the transaction of ordinary business," the further consideration of "which had been postponed for the benefit of the new member of the Board.

Mr Bowen* had seconded the motion. Mr Weston moved as an amendment by way of a compromise—" That the Board meet once every three weeks."

Mr Anson seconded the amendment. Mr Wright said that, as the general ■wish seemed to be in favor of meeting every three weeks, he would accept the amendment.

Mr Ci'xxiNCHAM moved further —"That no alteration be made in the times of meeting." This amendment was not seconded. The motion to meet once every three weeks, from the 19th July, was carried. Mr Bowen" moved—"That the question of salaries of Inspectors be considered, with the view of paying them iJl.'iO." He had taken the amou.it as a reduction proportionate with the other reductions which had been made.

Mr I'eky.mas asked if it would b$ wise to continue in the absence of Mr Sauuders. Mr Bowes did not wish to take advantage o£ any member's absence, but he was opposed to Mr Saunders" motion. Mr Wkioht said that as the opinions of members v.-ere not thu same, it might be as well to postpone the matter. He was of opinion personally that two Inspectors were sutlicieiit. He would like to see a liberal salary paid them. He moved the adjournment of the discussion. Mr Westo.n seconded this, which was carried.

Mr Cunningham moved—" That in future all applications by teachers for ap poiutinents to schools be consUlered by the Hoard after being submitted to the School Committee requiring such teacher." Air UuDUK.vKi.Ar seconded the motion, which was opposed by the Chaiuman, Mr Westos, and Mr Wkiuht, aud negatived, the mover and seconder only voting for it. The Board then adjourned.