BOARD OF EDUCATION.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 148, 24 November 1874, Page 4

BOARD OF EDUCATION.

Monday, November 23. The Board met at the usual hour. Present—Messrs C. C. Bowen (chairman), J. N. Tosswill, J. Inglis. The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. PAPANUI. A letter was read from the chairman of the school committee forwarding a petition, signed by three of the members of the district school committee, asking the Board not to sanction the appointment of the master of the Papanui school, as the feeling of the district was decidedly against the appointment. A deputation, comprising Mr Haskins and three others, waited upon the Board to support the prayer of the petition. The chairman said that unless the appointment was an incompetent one, the Board had no power to interfere, as the selection of the master rested entirely with the committee, therefore it was that the Board could not interfere in this case. Mr Haskins said that the deputation waited on the Board on behalf of the ratepayers, because they felt that the place was now getting very populous and rising in importance, and they desired to have the very best man they could get for the school, even if they had to pay money out of their own pockets. ~, The chairman hoped the master would have a fair trial; he was qualified under the regulations of the Board, and further than that, he had resigned his appointment elsewhere. Mr Haskins wished to point out that the deputation wished to put plainly before the Board the position they took up. They did not wish to say one word against the master, but they wished to be able to get a trained master with high qualifications. The chairman said that the committee had forwarded the petition of several members of the committee but with a recommendation that the prayer should not be granted. The deputation would see that the Board was bound to recognise the Executive of the ratepayers—the committee. They had appointed the master and the Board could not interfere. He hoped, however, that the new master would have a fair trial by the inhabitants of the district. PIGEON BAY. Mr Pitcaithley waited upon the Board with respect to the conveyance of the site for the Pigeon Bay school. The Chairman pointed out that until the conveyance was signed to the Superintendent it was illegal for the Board to pay any money. Mr Pitcaithley wished to know if he could take possession of the master’s house, as Mr Hay required the house now occupied at the end of the present month. The Chairman pointed out that it was impossible for Mr Pitcaithley to take possession of the house until the site had been duly conveyed to the Superintendent. BUSINESS DONE BY CHAIRMAN. The business done by the chairman during the week was approved by the Board. HALKETT. Captain Halkett waited upon the Board with reference to a site offered by him for school buildings in the district. Ultimately it was decided that Captain Halkett should write and lay the matter before the Board. PREBBLETON, A letter was read from the local committee forwarding a plan of proposed additions to the school, and asking for permission to call for tenders for the carrying out of the work. The plan as forwarded was approved by the Board, and it was decided that the committee should be instructed to call for tenders for the erection of the proposed alterations. TEMUKA. A letter was read from the local committee, stating that Mr Kowe had been appointed as master and Mrs Rowe mistress of the Temuka school, subject to the approval of the Board. The Board sanctioned the appointment of Mr and Mrs Eowe to the school. EAST CHRISTCHURCH. A memorandum was read from Mr Hammond, sub-inspector of schools, opposing the proposed removal of the partition between the two rooms in the Barbadoes street school.

The secretary was instructed to forward Mr Hammond's memorandum to the committee for their information.

LYTTELTON. A letter was read from the Borough school committee, forwarding tenders for the erection of custodian’s cottage, and recommending the acceptance of Scott Brothers’ tender for £tiß6.

The Board agreed to accept the recommendation of the committee, and sanctioned the acceptance of the tender. Mr J. S. Willcox was appointed as clerk of works.

KAIAPOI. The Rev W. W. Willock and Mr E. G. Kerr, members of the Kaiapoi Borough school committee, waited upon the Board with reference to the school staff, and suggesting that a re-distribution should be made of the teaching staff. The Board sanctioned the appointment in the boys’ school of an assistant master besides the head master, also pupil teachers. In the girls’ school the Board sanctioned the appointment of an assistant mistress, together with two pupil teachers. HALSWELL, The application of the local committee for permission to employ an architect to superintend the alterations in the school buildings, was agreed to by the Board. WEST CHRISTCHURCH. A letter was nc : vrl (‘•run the district committee, enclosing a .ci i from Mr Elwin respecting the report of the sub-inspector on the Durham street school. It was resolved to refer the letter to Mr Hammond, for his remarks thereon. SELWYN. A letter was read from the local committee, stating that they had appointed Miss Jaggar as assistant mistress, and that the Temuka school committee, where she was, had agreed to her going. The Board sanctioned the appointment. EAST CHRISTCHURCH. A letter was read from the local committee, asking permission for Mr C. F, Exall to teach in the Music Hall, under Mr Taylor, to qualify himself for examination in January next. The request was granted. SOUTHBRIDGE, A letter was read from the chairman of the school committee, stating that Mr Ferguson, the schoolmaster, was ill, and his medical advisers forwarded certificates that jest was necessary. The chairman recoin-

mended that Mr Ferguson’s salary should go on during his absence. The Board decided that three months’ leave of absence should be given to Mr Ferguson, and his salary continued during that time. TIMARU. A letter was read from the borough committee, stating that Mr Mahon had been appointed as assistant master temporarily. The secretary was instructed to reply that it would bo necessary for Mr Mahon to forward his certificates to the Board of Examiners. PLEASANT POINT. A letter was read from the district committee, stating that Miss Opie had been appointed as assistant mistress, subject to the approval of the Board. The Board agreed to sanction the appointment, subject to Miss Opic’s passing an examination at Timaru in December. TIMARU. The plans and tenders for the erection of the head-master’s house at Timaru were received, but, owing to coming in too late, the consideration of them was deferred until next meeting of the Board. ASHBURTON. Mr Egbert Mayo’s appointment as pupil teacher of the second year was approved by the Board, RESIGNATION OF THE CHAIRMAN. The Chairman intimated that he should send in his resignation as a member of the Board to his Honor the Superintendent during the present week. He was not certain whether he should be able to attend the next meeting of the Board, but would endeavour to do so as long as possible. His movements, however, were so uncertain, that he was not able to say how long he should be here to attend the Board meetings. The Board then adjourned.