EDUCATION BOARD.

Evening Post, Volume LIX, Issue 127, 30 May 1900, Page 6

EDUCATION BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the Board of Education was heid this afternoon. There were present — Messrs. J. R. 13 lair (Chairman), A. W. Hogg, M.H.R.. W. C. Buchanan, E. Fern, Il'.I I . Bradey, W. \V. AL'Cardle, J. Young, John Kebbell, and J. Robertson. -ur. Buchanan brought forward hismotion previously given notice of that the Board should change its day of meeting from Wednesday to Thursday, in j order to s>uil the convenience of country members, but as certain enquiries have jyet to be made, further consideration of the motion \viu> postponed. Mr. Kebbeil moved — "That the Gov- ' eminent be requested to obtain power | from Pnrliumeni next session to enable i it to advance money under the Government Loans to Local Bodies Act to Education Boards for the purpose of building residences where required for school teachers, and thai a- copy of this resolution be forwarded to Education Boardsasking for their support. The mover said it wns highly desirable that teachers should live near their schools, and he moved in the above dixection for the purpose of finding ways and means. Air. Bradey seconded the motion pro forma, but advised delay, as he saw certain difficulties in the "way which time might remove. Messrs. Robert&on, Buchanan, and M'Cardle opposed the motion as a borrowing proposal. Mr. Young, in supporting the motion, thought that if the diHicultics could be overcome the carrying of the motion would result in good to the country districts. Mr. Hogg, whilst thinking that the mover had done his duty in btinging the matter forward, could not support the motion on account of the ditucuHies in the way. The Board had no assured income, and could not give the Govern ment securitj' for repayment of loans. The conditions which prevailed in some of the country districts were also against the advisability of the Board constructing dwellings for married teachers in all places. The Chairman said the Board was in sympathy with the motive which led Mr. Keooell to put forward his motion, but at the same time, the proposal could not be entertained, as it tended to disarrange the whole of the prevailing system. He felt strongly that the Government should lend money urgently needed by Boards without making it necessary for the Board to take round-about ways of getting loans. After replying, Mr. Kebbell, by leave, withdrew his motion. A deputtr^on from the Kilbirnie School

— consisting of Mes«r«. J. H. Fairbairn, (chairman). F. Pen-in (secretary), and Bramiiyu. — waited upon the Boaul and complained of the in-"initi iv condition of the school's outbuilding 1 -. lucre;i,--ccl accommodation lor pupils in the s-chool ■« as ai'o ,ii>ked fur, owi.ig to the giowth of heUleinent in the dihttiet. TJic deputation further a«ked that the school should be lighted by gas and a gas cooking range provided, to enable the bctiing up of a cookery clas«. The Chairman inhumed the deputation that if it was found that there was absolute need for increasing the accommodation of the buildings, the request would be granted. The sanitary work would be attended to, but the putting on of gas opened up a large question which would have to be carefully considered by the Board. The deputation having withdrawn, the Board decided to postpone consideration of the matters brought forward by the Kilbirnie Committee until certain information was obtained. Mr. Hogg protested against the time which had been taken up by deputations fiom city and suburban schools during several recent months. He thought town committees should be treated the same as country committees, namely, they should send in their lequests in writing.