EDUCATION BOARD.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 7864, 15 May 1891, Page 6

EDUCATION BOARD.

The ordinary meeting of the North Canterbury Education Board was held yesterday. Present—Messrs T. S. Weston (chairman), W- Montgomery, R. Meredith, T. H. Anson, H, W, Peryman, A. Saunders, P. Westenra, J, Joyce, and E. G. Wright. The business authorised by the Chairman and transacted since the last meeting was approved. The Buildings Committee reported that:— On the application of the Mason's Flat School Committee, a new grate was allowed. An explanation was received from the master at Bromley as to the damage said to have been done to the cooking range, A new range was granted. The Wakanui School Committee forwarded resolutions passed at the meeting of householders, affirming the need for the proposed new school, and recommending the eastern corner of Reserve 759 as a suitable position. It was resolved to acquire a site in the locality recommended. The Saltwater Creek School Committee applied for a grate for "their schoolroom. The Clerk of Works was •directed to report on the matter to the Chairman, who was empowered to act. The Clerk of Works was directed to report upon an application from the Greendale School ■Committee for a concrete tank. The sum of 30s was allowed towards the cost of fencing off a part of the Barr Hill school ground for the use of the master. ■A letter was received from Mr Holland, Greendale, asking when the new school would be proceeded with. It was resolved to call for tenders at once ; also, to invite tenders for the Alford Forest side-school. On the application of the Glenroy School '•Committee, 200 macrocarpa were allowed for a shelter fence. The Clerk of Works was "directed to get the school buildings at Seafield and South Malvern painted as soon as practicable. The East Christchurch School •Committee applied for renewal of fencing at the main school and for other repairs. The Chairman reported that he had visited the school, and had arranged for such repairs and drainage as were found necessary, on the strict understanding that the -School Committee would keep the premises in order for the future. On the application of the Kimberley School Committee, painting the buildings was authorised. The Clerk of Works reported that he had arranged for the closets. Mr .Weston reported that he had visited the main school, and' found very great need of better ventilation of the in■iant's room. The room was overcrowded, and he had authorised the School Committee to rent a room in the Colonists' Hall as a means of relief for the present. The Clerk of Works was directed to see to the im•provement of the ventilation. • A letter was received from the Sumner School Committee, stating that the proposed addition to the schoolroom was quite inadequate, and asking for a washhouse at the master's -house. It was decided to build a second room instead of lengthening the present one. {The sum of £5 was allowed for a fuel shed which might be used for a washhouse. The Darfield School Committee asked to have rooms in the master's house repapered. The Clerk of Works was directed to arrange for the work with the contractor for the repairs. The Riccarton School Committee again applied for renewal of their boundary fence. Mr Weston undertook to visit the school with the Clerk .of. Works, and to report on the matter. The Oxford East School Committee applied for an addition of 15ft at the east end of the infants' rooms, instead of 10ft at the other end The matter was referred to the Board. An offer from Messrs Harman and Stevens of an additional acre and a half at Waltham was considered, and the purchase recommended to the Board. A letter was received from the Little Akaloa School Committee respecting the purchase of a site for the side school. The matter was deferred for more information. On the report of the Clerk of Works, covering the roof of the master's house at Longbeach with iron was authorised, and it was resolved not to shift the windows at Ashton. On the report of the-Clerk of Works, rebuilding a chimney at the main school, St. Albans, was authorised. The following tenders were accepted : Hororata, rebuilding chimney, A. J. White, £9 15s; Killinchy, repairs and painting, J. Bennett, £79 17s; Normal School, asphalt- j ihg, G. Cookson, £30 15s 6d; Fendalton, closets and painting, G. P-_-ieand.Qo.,j626. The report was adopted.' r "witn the addition that the Secretary be instructed to arrange for the completion of the purchase of a site for a side school at Little Akaloa, Mr Joyce explaining that he had seen Mr Sbuttleworth, who had interviewed the Commissioner of Crown Lands and had obtained the land desired.

In respect to the application of the Oxford East Committee for an addition of 15ft to the infant room Mr Meredith explained that 10ft would be ample if there were a rearrangement of classes, if not 15ft would be required. Mr Peeyman said the Inspector recommended the rearrangement of the classes. It was agreed to accept the tender of Mr Geo. Keats for £85 for the additional 10ft. The Appointments' Committee reported eh April 29th, the following appointments -were made :—Doyleston,- Miss A. Ingram, mistress; Southbridge. Miss J. Menzies, assistant mistress; Courtenay, Robert Dyaart, pupil teacher; Leeston, Walter Tipler, pupil teacher. Winchmore—With reference to the master's application for rent allowance, it was resolved to ascertain what -accommodation there was in the neighbourhood of Winchmore, and to what expense -the master was put for board and lodging. {The application for an assistant teacher at Xauriston was considered. It was resolved to authorise the employment of Miss Thome for six months, with the pay of a fourth "year pupil teacher. The letters from W. -.turns and the North Canterbury Educational Institute, referred to the Committee by the Board, were considered. It was left to the Chairman to frame replies in accordance with the view taken by the Committee. The following appointments were made on May 6th :—- _?erry road, Mr W. -Kennedy, master, * Barrhill; Mrs Hurst, -sewing mistress. Inspection reports were received from Dr. Anderson, the consideration of which was deferred till the next meeting. The following appointments were made on _Jay 13th:—St. Albans, Miss Jessie Menzies, infant mistress; Rangiora, Mr S. Smith, assistant master ; Gebbie's Valley, Mr H. ;J. Ryde, master; Normal School, Mr J. Sutherland, master of model school. A letter was received from the Lauriston C-eamitteeobjectingto the proposed arrangement for an addition to their teaching staff, and recommending Elizabeth Johnston for appointment as pupil teacher. It was -resolved to appoint Miss Johnston. Mr Meredith reported that he had visited the "View Hill and Woodside Schools, and that after conferring with the respective Committees and Masters he made the following recommendations:—That an assistant mistress be appointed to the Woodside School, •and that tne junior of the two pupil teachers now at Woodside be .transferred to View HilL At the end of the year the engagement of the other pupil teacher at WoodBide would terminate, and both schools would then have their proper teaching staff. The . recommendations were adopted. Inspection reports were received from Mr Wood on Doyleston, Southbridge, Rakaia, Little River, Lakeside, Sedgemere, Selwyn, Dunsandel, Wmslow, Grantham, Kennington, Newland, Dromore and Hinds; and from Dr. Anderson on Southbrook, Rangiora, Fernside, Ashley, Loburn, Woodend, Darfield, Annat, Kowai Pass, Russell's Flat and GlentunneL The reports were ordered to be forwarded to the respective Committees, and in several cases special attention was called to matters noted by the Inspector. The report was adopted, the matter of the transfer of teachers in connection with Woodside and View Hill schools being referred back to the Appointments Committee.

A supplementary report of the Appointments Committee was taken in Committee and dealt with.

The report of the scholarships examination, 1891, was adopted, excepting the clause relating to the allotment, which was referred to the Scholarships' Committee. The report appears elsewhere. The. application came again before Board from Mr Johnstone, of Hakatera station, who desired aid in the education of his children.

The Board, after some discussion, decided to accede to the request, Messrs Wright and Anson dissenting. The solicitor's opinion which had been taken on the matter was to the effect that the scheme might fairly be considered as one started by private enterprise, and might be assisted under sect. 88. There would be no doubt about the matter if Mr Johnstone extended his scheme to take In all the families in the locality.

The Board decided that as School Committees had not been elected for the Medbury, Burnham, Pendarvis, and Waikuku districts, advertisements should be published of the date and place when and where elections should be made.

Objections were received to the election of the School Committees of Ashburton, Kirwee, Doric, West Melton, and View HilL

The elections at Ashburton, Kirwee, and View Hill were validated, and it was decided that fresh elections be held at Doric and West Melton.

In reply to a request from the residents of Eiffelton, the Board agreed to allow them to retain that name.

In answer to a letter from tho Board, Lieut. -Colonel Gordon wrote agreeing to the resolution of the Board suggesting that he should inspect the schools on the subject of drill, and he expressed his willingness to render the Board any assistance in his power. The Chairman and Mr Joyce were appointed to consult with Lieut. -Colonel Gordon on the matter. ■*

A letter was read from the East Christchurch School Committee, enclosing a resolution that the election as introduced by the Act was inefficient and useless, and asked that it be forwarded to the Minister of Education.

It was decided to ask the Committee to submit to the Board the alterations they deemed necessary, and the Chairman, Mr Saunders and the Secretary were appointed to revise the Act, and suggest amendments and omissions, and report to the Board. The St. Albans Committee suggested the appointment of truant officers. It was agreed to draw the attention of the Committee to the compulsory clauses, and advise them to enforce them.

The Secretary of the Wellington Education Board wrote, suggesting a Conference of Inspectors and representative teachers to meet the Minister of Education and Inspec-tor-General to discuss matters appertaining to the syllabus and the school work of teachers and Inspectors. It was decided to acknowledge the letter, and decline to agree with the suggestion. Communications were received from the Board's Auditor, declining to pass the payment of £5 (in two cases) as salary of Secretary. It was decided to point out that under the Act a Secretary who was not a member of the Committee might be paid. The Sydenham School Committee wrote suggesting that a professional musician should be appointed to teach singing in the State schools, and the letter contained a long list of reasons.

The letter was referred to the Appointments Committee.

The Board disposed of some minor matters and then adjourned.