EDUCATION BOARD.

Evening Post, Volume XII, Issue 125, 24 November 1875, Page 2

EDUCATION BOARD.

The regular monthly meeting of the Education Board wjis held this morning. Present— the Hon. C. J. Pharazyn (chairman and treasurer), Hon. W. Gisborne, Rev. J. C. Andrew, Rev. J. Ross, Messrs. Bunny, Beetham, and Toomath. Mr. Bunny said that Mr. Walter Johnston and himself had consulted the other members of the Roman Catholic community, as arranged, with reference to the Terrace" school. He wished that Mr. Johnston could have been present, as he had ma.de some minutes in the matter, but, as that gentleman was absent, he might state that the Roman Catholics, for the reason already stated^ objected to accept the Terrace school in lieu of the two present schools, but would be willing, if the Board built a new school, to be under the control of the Roman Catholic body and taught by the Christian brethren under the supervision of the Inspector^ not to call on the Board for any salaries- for a term of say ten years. This would save the Board some £600 per annum in salaries. . Mr. Ross thought this opened up the whole question oT*denominational education, which they would have to face sooner or later, and might as well deal with at once. Mr. Gisborne considered it would be better to establish two classes ot schools, as contemplated and provided for by the act : one, as at present, in which clergymen of all denominations should be allowed to give religious instruction ; the other, on the principle in vogue at Nelson^ to be conducted by the denomination to which it belonged, the Board giving aid on certain conditions, under the special clause in the act. He quite agreed with Mr. Ross, that they must meet the denominational question sooner or later. Mr. Ross was strongly opposed to the principle of subsidising denominational schools.' If they began that, there would be no end to it. It would lead to the multiplication of denominational schools, which would be at war with one another, and then the Board in the end would have to buy them up and undenominationalise them, and that would be very expensive and cause much heartburning. Mr. Bunny could not see, if any denomination had sufficient children to support a school, why they should not have one, or- why the Board in that case should not subsidise it as provided by the act. It would save a world of trouble and expense. Mr. Ross would strenuously oppose any such course. He was an out-and-out undenominationalist, and almost a secularist. He would rather see a purely secular system, , leaving religion to outside instruction. Mr. Toomath remarked that all the Board's schools were open to Roman Catholic clergy to , give religious instruction therein, but the | Roman Catholic schools were not open to clergymen of other denominations. Mr. Bunny said the Roman Catholics were quite satisfied with the present arrangement and did hot require any change. It was the Board that wished to make an alteration. Mr. Ross thought they should give the six i months' notice now, and then consider the I position with regard to their future course. The Chairman pointed out that the motion of which Mr, Beetham had given notice, would meet the present subject of discussion. A long discussion ensued, relative to the terms of the' motion and the practicability of amending it. Ultimately, it was agreed that Mr. Beetham should move it as it stood, and Messrs. Andrew and Gisborne should move amendments in accordance with their views. Mr. Bebtham then 'moved, pursuant vto notice, (1) -That inasmuch as the Terrace School is the property of the Board, the class rooms, other than those specially used for Roman Catholic religious instruction, be placed at the disposal of other denominations tor religious instruction, and that in the event of the Roman Catholic Committee declining to accede to this, (2) that six months'' notice be given of the termination of the present agreement. " ' Mr. Andbbw moved as an amendment that the first clause be struck out, and that the second be altered to read as follows : — That six months' notice be given to tibe Roman Catholics and Church of England, of the termination of the present agreement. Mr. Gisborne moved a further amendment to the eflect that the following words should be added : " And that this Board will be prepared to give aid in certain cases to denominational schools under the power and on the conditions stated in the 21st section of the Wellington Education Act, 1871." Mr. Bunny moved that the debate on the whole question be postponed until the last meeting in January. He should strongly oppose terminating the present arrangement, unless on the understanding that aid would be given in some such way as proposed by Mr. Gisborne. If all aid were withheld, it meant that the Roman Catholics, although they had to pay full rates and were precluded by their principles from, using . the Board's regular schools, yet were to be deprived of all aid from those rates towards their schools. Mr. Ross would prefer to see the present plan continued, which appeared to work very well. Mr. Gisborne seconded Mr. Bunny's motion, wbjch was carried. A letter from Mr. Hurley, in reference to recent arrangements, was referred to the Inspector, to report on by next meeting. A memorial wifo presented from the teachers on the Board's staff to the effect that the month's stipend at present retained in hand, should be paid to them and in future should not be withheldIt was pointed out that under the present system teachers were put to expense in proeurmg school necessaries, apd ti&t often they

had to ask for advances from the Board in consequence of a month's salary always being kept back; and ultimately it was was resolved, on the motion of Mr. Toomath, that the prayer of the memoralists be aceedea SlstMareli th ° current finnnci al year, It was decided that the Terrace school should &.ro^ at A e r tegjmiing of the year, and M . rs - Youn &» lnte of Kai'toki, should be the head master and mistress. A large amount.of routine business was gone through. • ° The Board was still sitting when we went to press.