AUCKLAND EDUCATION BOARD.

Evening Star, Issue 7875, 6 April 1889, Page 4

AUCKLAND EDUCATION BOARD.

The Auckland Board of Education have re-elected Mr J. W. Upton as chairman of that body for the ensuing year. Mr Upton delivered an address showing the improvements which had taken place in tho Board's position during the past twelve months. He said that when he took tho chair a year ago he made up hia mind that he would signalise his year of office by putting the staff in something like proper order if it could be done; therefore ho sot his face against keeping teachers in their employ who were not up to the minimum standard required, and resolved to get rid of them as soon as possible. A year ago, through the inefficiency of the staff, the Board had been compelled to retain in their service no less than 70 teachers more than their own regulations prescribed. They had now got rid of theso. In April, 1888, the unclassified teachers in the service of the Board numbered 67 ; [to-day they numbered 10. As a result of doing away with surplus teachers,

the finances of tho Board were beginning to get into order, and the effect had been that there had gone to credit to the extent of LI,OOO in six months for salaries which they did not need to pay. In respect to pupil-teachers, a year ago they had 31 ex-pupil-teachcrs who had achieved only partial success ; to-day they had 20. There were 17 unclassified a year ago ; to-day they had 4_ao that in all departments the Board was in a much more advantageous position. Mr Upton regretted that the proposal for an amendment of tho regulations, in order that country districts might have a share in the scholarship! offered by the Board, had not been agreed to. This proposal, which has originated from Mr Murray, teaching at Kaukapapa, was most excellent, rid he hoped a measure of that kind would become law. Mr Upton stvongly opposed the suggested abolition of Board 3 of Education and the establishment of a central departmert in Wellington. The three inspectors have reported that owing to the largeness of the. district and the number of schools, they cannot do the work of examination unaided. The appointment of another inspector was suggested at the meeting yesterday. The matter is to be considered on Friday next.