BOARD OF EDUCATION.

Press, Volume XLVI, Issue 7360, 12 July 1889, Page 3

BOARD OF EDUCATION.

An ordinary meetangof the North Canterbury Education Board was held yesterday afternoon. Present—Messrs H. W. Peryman (acting Chairman) A. H. Cunningham, E. G. Wright, T. H. Anson, T. S. Weston, P. Westenra and J. Ruddenklau. The business done by the Chairman since the last meeting was approved. An apology was accepted for the absence of Mr Chrystall. The Building Committee reported the following business:—An application was received for an additional room at Waikari. It was considered that the addition was not immediately necessary, and might be deferred till the spring. Meanwhile the Clerk of Works was directed to report how it could best be made. The New Brighton School Committee represented the necessity of obtaining a vote for the school. It was resolved to make enquiries about the matter. Letters were received from Mr Foley again urging the need for a school at the Hill Top, and from the Little River School Committee approving of the site proposed. It was resolved to take steps for acquiring five acres for a school site. The Glentunnel School Committee again \ applied for payment of the account fori bricks. It was resolved to pay such amount as it would have cost the Board to supply bricks, and to leave any balance to be defrayed by the Committee. The Hampstead School Committee forwarded an oiler to sell a section of land adjoining the school site for £31, which it was resolved to accept. The Christchurch East School Committee called attention to the; Inspector's recommendation that the floors in the main school should be graded, and also to the insufficient size of the drainage pipes. The Clerk of Works reported the same cause of complaint at the Normal school. It was resolved that there were no funds for the grading. The Clerk of Works was directed to get larger pipes laid both at Gloucester street and the Normal school whenever funds would allow. The Broomfield School Committee objected to the way in which the contract for re-hrlcking the well had been executed. They were informed that the Clerk of Works would look into the matter when he went to pass the work. The sum of £2 was allowed for shifting the closets, complained of as being too near the buildings, at Sumner. The Mayfield School Committee reported that the master had put up a straw shed near the house, which was thought dangerous in case of fire. The master explained the position of the shed, and that it was required only during the winter months. It was resolved to let the shed remain till September on the understanding that it would then be removed. A bell was allowed, the Ashley School Committee to pay for fixing. An application for planting at Ashley was declined on the giound of want of funds. The Clerk of Works was directed to report respecting an application for drainage at Opawa. The Clerk of Works was directed to report upon the state of the roof at View Hill, which was said to be in great need of repair. The Barry's Bay School Committee again applied for an enlargement of tbe schoolroom. It was resolved that there were no funds at present, and that the re-opening of the school at French Farm would probably have the effect of relieviug the Barry's Bay School. In reply to applications from the Halkett School Committee, it was resolved that no grant could be made for planting, and that the school buildings should be painted in September. A letter was received from the Selwyn County Council, enclosing a letter from the South Malvern Road Board to the effect that they objected to their funds being used for the protection of the school grounds at Glentunnel. It was decided to let the matter stand for the present. The Oxford East School Commibtee applied for a filter, the water from the tanks being of a disagreeable taste. It was pointed out that tiie roofs had been covered with iron, and that probably the tanks wanted cleaning. On the application of the Southbrook School Committee, the Clerk of Works was directed to have the inside of the long room painted. In reply to an application from Dromore for planting, it was decided that there were no funds available. The following tenders were accepted :— Southbrook, painting, J. Bradley, £19 7s 6d ; Banj<iora, painting, B. Good and Co., £53 18s; Woodend, painting and repairs, Forbes and Walley, £87 ; Fernside, painting and repairs, Forbes and Walley, £57; West Melton, painting and repairs, Anderson and Co., £43 10s; Springston, painting and repairing house, G. Mazey, £25; Little River, addition, Petrie and Co., £135; Little Akaloa, painting and repairs, H. Priest, £18 os 6d; drain's Bay, painting and repairs, J. Hay ward. £24; Governor's Bay, painting and repairs. T. Hall, £25 9s 6d; Leßon's Bay, painting and repairs, J. Hayward, £38; Kaiapoi, painting, J. Bradley, £42. The Clerk of Work 3 reported that the well at East Christchurch, was completed satisfactorily, with an excellent flow of water. The Clerk of Works reported that the buildings (main school), Pigeon Bay, needed painting, and the roofs covering with iron. It was decided to bring the matter forward again when some of the work now in band was disposed of. The sum of £2 was allowed to the Glenroy School Committee for a chimney pot. The Clerk of Works reported about the concrete tank at Gebbie's Valley. It was resolved to pay for the work that had been done, and to call for tenders for what was required to complete it. On the report of the Clerk of Works, drainage as recommended by him was authorised at Ferry road.

The Chairman said that a statement of accounts showed that on the building account the liabilities were in excess by £350 13s 3d. On the maintenance account there was a credit of £1693 13s lOd. Economy had been the order of the day, so much so that last quarter there was a credit on the latter account of £1325 9s lOd, so that the Board had economised to nearly the extent of the excess on the building accounts.

Some discussion took place over the question of planting, and Mr Wright moved—"That it be an instruction to the Building Committee to consider, at its next meeting, if it be possible out of the funds available to meet the applications which have been made for small sums for planting school grounds."

The motion was seconded and carried as an instruction to the Committee, and the report was adopted. The Appointments Committee reported the following appointments :—Hororata, Mr George Quartermain, master; Waikuku, Mr T. E. Tomlinson, master; Richmond, Mr J. T. Hutchinson, assistant master; Aylesbury, Mr W. T. Gilmore, master; Doric, Miss Kate Walker, mistress (sole charge); Loburn North, Miss Ellen M. Bowron, mistress. The Appointments Committee's report was considered and dealt with in Committee.

Upon the motion of Mr Anson, it was decided that it was inadvisable that any schoolmaster should become a member of a School Committee.

A letter was received stating that at the Ashley school Bible reading took place between 11 and 11.30 a.m. on Thursdays. The letter also stated that this course had obtained for flye or six years, and no complaints had been made.

The letter caused a little discussion, after which it was decided, on the motion of Mr Weston and Mr Anson—" That it is inexpedient for the Committee of the, Ashley School to allow the Bible to be read as a class subject during school hours, inasmuch as it would amount to an infringement of the Education Act."

Mr Wright then moved,'as the Act had been vindicated—" That the Ashley Committee be informed that they will not be Infringing the Act, provided they alter, the time-table and declare the hours on Thursday to be from 9 to It 1 a.m." It would then be open to the Committee to carry on the Bible lesson from 11 to 12.

Mr Westenra seconded the motion, which was carried.

Several letters were read, stating the names of Committees which had been elected without ballot, because the number of candidates nominated did not exceed the number required. It was decided that a circular should be sent to all Committees, drawing attention to the 6ich section of the Act. providing for the election of Committees by ballot.

The Board attached its seal to several contracts and certificates, and then adjourned.