EDUCATION BOARD.

Evening Star, Issue 7614, 17 May 1888, Page 3

EDUCATION BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the Education Board was held this day; present—Dr Brown (chairman), Messrs T. Dick, H. Clark, J. Green, J, Macgregor, and Dr Hislop. FINANCE REPORT. The report of the Finance Committee was adopted, as follows : Your Committee, having considered the various matters referred to them, begs to make the following recommendations : Kurow : That this school ce treated as a full-time'school from the date of the next examination of the school by the inspec.or.—Kyehurn ; That the application for a full-time school be deferred in the meantime. -Applications for Schools: That the applic tion from the settlers at Hildcrthcrpe for the establishment of a school be declined : lhat the memorials from Windsor and Inch Clutha be referred to the inspectors for report; and that a school be e tablhbid at To Kara hi (Marewhenua), on condition that a site of not less than five acres be secured free of cost to the Board. Lauder; That the application from residents for a grant in aid for carrying on a school bo agreed to m terms of section S8 of Education Act.-Evans Flit: That the application of the Committee for the continuance of the services of the mistress till the end of September he dodt with at the July meeting. Uuntroi n : That the appointment of a mistress bo sanctioned, and that the erection of an additional class room and an addition to the residence ho agreed to.—West Taieri: That the recommendation of the cleik of works for the protection of the school buildings he agreed to.—Ngapara: That the application for a mistress he doclinid. —Wakarl: That the application for the appointment of a pupil-’cacher be deferred for another quarter. —Normal: That, as recommended by the Professorial board, exhibitions he awarded to W. Burnside and A. Crawford.— George street; That the head-teacher of the George street School i e informed that the Board resolve to adhero to their so.la of salaries as at (present fixed, and that if any increase in the staff becomes necessary owing to increised attendance, the Board will he prepared to grant ihe same. At the same time the Board d < not wish to encourage an attendance of over 750 at any school. —That the following sums bo gianted for improvements of buildings: Naseby, LC 10s; Round Hill, L2 10s. IMPROVEMENT OF SCHOOL GROUNDS.

The Chairman said it would be remembered that at the last meeting he had made some remarks with reference to the state of school gardens and surroundings generally, and that the Board had referred the matter to Dr Hislop and himself to consider and report on. He had now to report that they had drawn up a circular on the matter, and he would read it to the Board with a view of their approving of it and ordering that a copy be sent to every teacher. The circular was as follows : The Education Board have had i heir attention directed to the fact that throughout the Otago district a considerable number ot pub'io school buildings and their surroundings presenter cheerless and untidy appearance, and the Board regret very much that, with few exceptions, no attempts have been made to enclose the school grounds with live fences, or to plant them with trees or shrubs, ami, that ihero are few school gardens worth of the name—a tidily kept one being quite a rarity. It may bo urg-d by the teichers as an excuse for this state of matters, so tar as they are concerned, that there is no statutory provision for the repayment to the teacher, in the event »f his leaving, of any outlay made by him on the permanent improvement of the school property. The School Committee and the settlers, who have a considera le interest in the matter, could no doubt do very much to encourage and substantially assist the teacher to improve the appearance of the school buildings and g.-ounds by the planting of trees, shrubs, and live fences for shelter and ornament, and by the formation of a fruit, fi iwer, and kitchen garden. But a very gn at deal might bo done in this direction by the te "Cher himself, by the putting forth of a moderate amount of personal effort. Because of the fitness of the thing, and because ot the benefit he would himself derive from the exercise, the Board would urge upon every teacher in occupuion of an official residence the duty and the advantage of devoting a portion of his spare time to the formation and cultivation at least of a small garden. Thu good i xomple set- by. the teacher in this matter would undoubtedly exert a beneficial influence upon Ids pupils, and through them upon the families of the district; while, at the same time, the very tact of the toicher practice ly manifesting a desire to render the -choot premises attractive and becoming would, m m >st instances, induce the School Committee and the friends of the school to encourage his efforts and render him sails antial assbtarce. It is extremely desi able that the public school shou’d become, to the ur atvst po sible extent, a source of good Influences. The Bsard do not consider it unreas mable to expect also that the teachers should take such an interest in the school premises as to tie willing to expend some little personal effort in keeping them in good order and rep dr. ExpericnoT his shown that a fair a "count of watchfidness on the part of the teacher over the conduct of the solulars will do very ranch lo preserve the school property from injury, and that by any relaxation of such attenticn even the newer buildings, furniture, fencing, etc., soon become untidy, disfigured, and out of repair. The timely I xrenditure of a few minuts now and again ty the teacher in driving a nail or two, in fixing a rail or a wire, or in putting in a support to a post, would frequently render a fence secure for a coiisidti.able time, which, if neglected, would sr.on become uscltss. Tue tame may be said as regards the securing of a shingle, a hoard, or a piece of spouting, the clearing out of a drain, and the attention given to the hinges and f istenings of (loots, gates, and windows. The inspectors have been directed to report very fully in each case on the cmdition of the school buildings, furniture, fences, etc., and the attention that appears to bo given by the teacher to their maintenance in good order aud repur. The highly satisfactory and c-etmaMo condition of some of the public'ohool properties shows what can be done by teachers who are actuated by proper motives rogv ding the Important matters referred to in this mum nndum Hv order of the Education Board. P. G. Pryde, Secretary.

The circular was approved of, and in structions were given for it to be sent out; also for the school inspectors to report on the manner in which the psoposal is carried out at future examinations. ACCOUNTS. Accounts amounting to L 0,082 9s lOd were passed for payment. RESIGNATIONS RECEIVED. James Methven, head-teacher, Kaihiki ; Kenneth M’Donald, do, Brighton; Mungo Alison, do, Hawea; Marion B. Cowie, first assistant, Mosgiel; Mary Mant, pupilteachcr, Kaikorai. appointmf.nts made. James Methven, Maungatna ; Henrietta Hilgendorf, do, Tuapeka Flat; Jessie M’Gregor, do, Tarras ; Marion B. Cowie, mistress, Anderson Bay. disputed elections. Correspondence was read in connection with disputed elections of members on the following School Committees, and theßoard s decisions on the various oases _ were as follow Flag Swamp, fresh election to be held on June 4 ; Bannockburn, election declared valid; Ravensbourne, fresh election on June 4; Waitahuna, fresh election on June 4; Whare Flat, election declared valid. FRESH ELECTIONS. The 4th of June was fixed for the election of Committees for the following districts, in which the elections had fallen through owing to the small attendance of householders Adams Flat, Blackstone, Circle Hill, Crookston, Gimmerburn, Glenkenich, Moonlight, Oamaru Middle, Tuapeka West, Tuapeka Mouth, and White Sow Valley. THE TEACHERS’ INSTITUTE. The Educational Institute’s secretary wrote asking the Board to recommend Committees to grant the usual week’s holiday in June to enable teachers to attend the annual meeting of the Institute. —Agreed to.

THE KAIKOKAI SCHOOL AFFAIR. On the reading of the Kaikorai Committee’s resolutions, The Chairman asked if any member had a motion to propose. Mr Dick said that three members—Mr Fraer and the two gentlemen who wore members of the House of Representatives—were absent, and it might be advisable to hold the matter over till there was a full meeting. He would move—" That consideration of the matter be postponed for three months.” The Chairman asked if there was any seconder ; if not, the Board would have to pass on to the next business. After a long pause, Dr Hislop said he would second the motion pro forma— in order to allow the matter to come before the Board. , , Mr Green remarked that at one time the Board had been distinctly asked by the Committee to defer the matter, but declined to do so ; whereas now, if the motion was carried, the matter would be deferred for three months longer. That would bo doing exactly what the Judge had blamed them for doing—they had been blamed for vacillation, although ho did not consider that they had evinced any vacillation. The motion was lost on the voices, and the Chairman asked If there was any other m tTOi.ARK asked what the Committee tW Mr Maccrecor said that they asked for an Inspection “of the school by inspectors other than the Board’s inspectors. Mr Clakk suggested that the Board should adhere to its former opinion. The Chairman said that in deference to the judgment in the Supreme Court, the Board had decided to hold the matter over till the new Committee should be elected, but now there were no new facts before them, and nothing to induce them to alter their views. He would move to the effect “That a change in the head-mastership of the school is necessary, and that the Board adhere to their former resblution in the matter,”

Dr Hislop objected to any reference to a previous opinion of the Board; they should take action from to-day now that they knew the proper steps to take. Mr Green said he would move inat the Board having considered the reply o the Committee to their communication, re solve that it is essential to the educational interests of the Kaikorai school district that the services of Mr M'Lauchlan bo dispensed with ; that his engagement be terminated on August 31 next; and that the secretary be directed to send intimation of this resolution to the Committee and to Mr M'Laucblan.” The request of the Committee to be supplied with an independent report on the school resolved itself into this : That the Board’s inspectors were either incompetent, or else partial and not in the habit of reporting according to their judgment. To such a conclusion he objected, as not having the slightest ground for color. He was sorry that the Board should have to take such action as he suggested ; but the interests of the educational system demanded it.

Dr Hislop seconded the motion, saying that he agreed with much that Mr Green had said. The calling in of outside persons to inspect the school would be unfair to their inspectors, and would be, indeed, tantamount to throwing them overboard, and acknowledging that the Board themselves doubted them. He resented the Committee’s proposition very much ; he resented it very keenly—in fact, it might be characterised as a piece of impertinence. Mr Macgreoor said that as he was a new member he had had no connection with the matter, but he felt called on tocxpreshis opinion. He agreed with the terms of the motion, for there was no course open to the Board but to dismiss Mr M’Lauchlan. As to the Committee’s request, he consideiel it preposterous, and the Board, he was sure, had every confidence in their inspectors. In face of the evidence before the Board and of the inspectors’ reports the Board were not only justified in dismissing Mr M Lauchlan but would actually be guilty of a dereliction of duty if they did not take such action. Mr Dick said he did not agree with the motion. When they found that the Raikorai district held a very different opinion on the matter they should pause before passing such a resolution. Five out of the seven members of the Committee were in favor of Mr M'Lanchlan, which indicated that the very large majority of the householders in the district were in his favor. He did not deny that the Board had power to override and defy the householders, bu he would tell them that they could not know the requirements of the district so well as the residents there did. ror years past the reports on the school had been good, the proportion of passses had always been high, and as to Mr M’Lauchlan’s personal character, there was not a breath against it—he was trustworthy, respected on all hands, and thoroughly qualified as a teacher. The Chairman said that after Mr Dick’s remarks he would exercise a silent vote. They had had before tnem the cool and carefully considered opinion of Mr Carew, and from that he would read four extracts, as follows: —“It * s almost impossible to follow up all Mr M’Lauchlan’s explanations, and I feel compelled to remark that he shows a habit of attempting to shield himself from blame by imputing blame to others to an unreasonable degree. . . . With the admission made and the evidence before me, I think it must be taken as clearly shown that the Board, in the action it has taken in reference to Mr M’Lauchlan, has been moved to do so in consequence of the reports from time to time of the Board’s inspectors, made in the course of their duties. Whether these reports were warranted must in the main depend on the question whether the inspectors have acted in a fair and impartial manner towards Mr M’Lauchlan and the Kaikorai School, for their ability has not been questioned. . . . After careful consideration of the whole evidence, I can see no reason whatever to believe that either of the three gentlemen who from time to time examined, inspected, and reported upon the Kaikorai School has shown any unfairness or injustice towaids Mr M’Lauchlan or his school.” He would now put the motion. The motion was put and carried, Mr Dick alone voting against it. CLOSED SCHOOLS. Inspectors Petrie and Goyen reported that they found the Teaneraki and Taieri Beach schools closed on the occasion of their recent visits, and that the head-teachers had not sent notice of their being closed in terms of Regulation 20.—The Board decided to censure the teachers, and that if any similar cases occur in future, the Board will deal severely with them.