BOARD OF EDUCATION: CONSIDERATION OF THE EDUCATION BILL.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXVIII, Issue 4611, 4 June 1872, Page 3

BOARD OF EDUCATION: CONSIDERATION OF THE EDUCATION BILL.

The adjourned special meeting of the Central Board of Education, for the consideration of the Education Bill, was held yesterday at 3 o'clock. There were present his rtonor the Superintendent (in the chair), Dr. Nicholson, Messrs. W. J. Hurst, G. M. O'Rorke, and W. Swanson. The minutes of the former meeting were read and confirmed. The Chairman explained the object of the meeting. — Dr. Nicholson moved, "That in the opinion of this Board no portion of the public funds, whether derived from the general revenue of the colony or proviuce, or from special rate on the whole population, ought to be devoted to the maintenance or support of denominational schools ; also, ifc is inexpedient to include iv the curriculum of subjects prescribed or permitted to he taught in any public school the practiced any religious .observance, or instruction in religious subjects; and that such instruction or practice, if desired, should take place altogether apart from the time of teaching in the public school. Therefore this Board deems thatjthe section 53, and those parts of sections 54 and 55, {sub-section 2, of the Education Bill, 1872, relating to the abovementioned matters, ought to be expunged, as being contrary to sound policy, aud calculated to impede rather than promote education within the colony." — Mr. O'Rorke said he was not prepared to go so far as that. He thought all schools should be aided and supported. — The Chairman suggested that they should look at the earlier part of the bill than the 52nd or the 53rd section. If anything was wrong with the earlier portions it would be best (to go through it systematically. — Dr. Nicholson had no objection to that course, but he thought the principle he had referred to was one which should Dot be overlooked in the consideration of the bill by the Eoard. — The Chairman said when the whole expense was shifted on to Provincial School Boards he saw no necessity for having a Minister of Education, and a Secretary to him. It would only tend to place a large amount of patronaga in the hands of the General Government. Were he not in the chair he would move a resolution to that effect. He did not believe in a Minister of Education. The law should be laid down which was to be obeyed, but if it were left in the hands of a Minister it was a political consideration whether a school rate would be enforced or not. — Mr. Swanson thought it was very necessary to have some responsible person in the Assembly to be held responsible for the educational state of the colony. — Mr.Hurst moved, ' ' That, inasmuch as the main duties in respect to education are required to be performed by our Provincial Boards, it is unnecessary, and only tends to increased expenditure and patronage, that a Minister of Education, a Secretary to the Minister, and the Inspector of Schools should be appointed by his Excellency the Governor." — In answer to a question by Mr. Hurst, the Chairman said it was an easy matter to obtain all the information about the schools by writing to the Provincial Secretaries. The Government would then be furnished with all the returns that were required. It was preparing the way for a paid office in time. The whole purport of the bill seemed to be to leave all the duties and responsibilities on the Provincial authorities, and for the Minister of Education to take all the credit. — Mr. O'Rorke seconded the' motion, which was agreed to.—Mr. O'Rorko drew attention to the provision made for the election of School Boards. The provision made it vr as impossible to give effect to in this province. He moved, that the mode of electing School Boards will be impracticable in this province ; and that the Board recommended that the non-official members of the Board shall be chosen by the Provincial Council. — Mr. Hurst seconded the motion, which was agreed to. — Clause 9 was then considered. A variety of opinions were expressed relative to the vesting of the Grammar-school trusts. Some were of opinion that the Grammar-school trusts would come under the operation of the bill if it came into force ; others were in doabt as to what the meaning was. — The Chairman thought it was not contemplated to use that trust, although the wording of the bill was capable of being so construed. — Dr. Nicholson considered it was contemplated to take hold of this trust along with others. — The Chairman drew attention to the fact that a large amount of property had been set apart for education purposes in the Waikato and other districts, but which had not yet been vested in. the Education Board. — Dr. Nicholson moved that section 9 should be made clear, so that no endowments set apart for Grammar-school purposes shall be affected. — Mr. Hurst seconded the motion, which was agreed to. — Dr. Nicholson took exception to one of the provisos in the 44th clauae, viz., the one which made the exhibitions open to the scholars of any school within the province. — Mr. O'Rorke considered this was one of the besb provisos in the bill.— The Chairman considered the proviso a good one. It was desirable not to extinguish private teachings. If a teacher thought he could advance scholars faster than at the Government school, he would be entitled to do so, and have the right of sending his pupils to the Govern- j ment school, and carry away the scholarships if they were able. He thought this was a very wholesome proceeding. No difference should be made between the rich and poor, but the scholarships be awarded " to the cleverest boys, whether they belonged | to rich parents or poor parents. — Dr. NicholI son thought only a portion should be set ' apart; for such purposes, which Mr. Swanson endorsed. r-Th© Chairman said that would ; be unfair, as the parents of boys attending I private schools 'would contribute to the school rate, and take nothing for it. It would be but right that the children of all; parents who paid rates should be capable of competing for scholarships. — After the discussion was continued some time, Dr. Nicholson moved, " That at least one-half in number and value of all scholarships to be given: by *ny Provincial Board, to bo tenable in any grammar school "within any province, shall be restricted to the competition of pupils of. the public or free school*." — The motion* wait seconded and carried. — The meeting was then adjourned until Thursday evening at 7 o'clock.

We deilre to make known to oar nnmerom cmtoraerj tbat yre have rejnored onr stock of man's and boys' clothing from 98 and 08, Queen-street, to the HaHppal Mart, corner of Queeo-and Wjndh»m-ttrtet?, Weri we «« *Bl|ingr erery article in men* aud boy»' oloUilng tA t «ttraorain»rilr lowprtcw. Mw's Pag**, Oajatea,and,'iaosalti. from Su.; men's fashionable taee^UiW»*nd Yesti, 17s. 6d. ; black ploth coats, !M."Cd(d;*tj.VroolCWmeiin shirts, 4«. 94 ; stout je»w •Wrtl,tt.Ba:;g6da tilt batl, Bs. M. A very lKgt WMortment of ««, oollars, *0,-B. as» J, R. Va»«.-