EDUCATION BOARD.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1841, 16 January 1880, Page 3

EDUCATION BOARD.

The ordinary meeting of the Education Board was held yesterday. Present—Mr Inglis (chairman), and Messrs Stevens, Tancred, Montgomery, Duncan, Saunders, and Webb.

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed.

The secretary then read the usual statement of appointments made and expenditure authorised since last meeting of the Board. Reports from the inspectors were laid on the table in reference to various schools within the educational district of North Canterbury. The Chairman said there were a good many applications for improvements and additions to school accommodation, which would come up again when the whole question of school expenditure came under consideration. Pupil teacher agreements were presented, and the seal of the Board ordered to be affixed.

A deputation of residents in New Brighton waited upon the Board in reference to the expenditure on the New Brighton school, which was at present to some extent in debt, and the deputation sought to have this liability wiped off. Having stated their case the deputation retired, and subsequently the Board resolved to vote £lO for the school.

A letter from the Lyttelton school committee was read regarding the appointment of a mistress of the Infant School, recommending the appointment of a lady applicant who possessed the necessary qualifications to establish the Kindergarten system of education in the school.

Mr Webb was of opinion that if the school had a good infant mistress that department would increase very considerably, and the lady who applied for the situation was willing to instruct the other teachers in the system throughout the school. The Board decided to allow the Lyttelton school an infant mistress, thus confirming a former resolution.

Mr Stevens asked when it was likely that the Board would have definite information as to whether the Kindergarten system had proved a colonial success. He supposed they would he able to arrive at such a result.

The Chairman supposed so, and was understood to say that the system had hitherto been worked under considerable disadvantages. He presumed the Inspector would report upon it. The next matter considered was the reconstruction of the teaching staff of the Upper Heathcote school, in regard to which it was resolved to communicate with the committee.

From the Southbridge school committee a suggestion was received that in view of the increased average of the school, the master, Mr Andrews, be allowed an additional £ls per annum. The Chairman read a statement showing that the average attendance at schools in the educational district of North Canterbury was 11,364. Correspondence was read between Mr J. Ollivier and the education department, in reference to the audit of the school committees’ accounts on a general system. The Chairman thought a general system such as Mr Ollivier proposed would be a very great improvement. Mr Stevens considered it desirable thaf the Board should have the responsibity of directing the audit, rather than that the committees should be able to appoint any one whom they chose.

After some discussion, during which the members generally spoke in favor of the suggestions contained in the correspondence just read, Mr Stevens moved —“That the Board recommend that the regulations be so amended as to confer upon the Board the duty of appointing auditors for all the school committees within the district.”

An application was received from the Opawa school committee that the name of the school should be changed from “Hillsborough ” to “ Opawa.”

The Board resolved—“ That in future the school should be known by the name of the Opawa school.” With reference to an application from the drill instructor for prizes to distribute among the children for proficiency in that department, the request was refused. An application was also received from the drill instructor to be allowed to continue his private classes. The chairman was requested to inquire into the matter, and report at the next meeting. Messrs John Grigg and E. G. Wright were re-elected members of the Ashburton High School Board.

The sum authorised by Mr Duncan to be expended on the Normal School was approved. A report from Mr Lambert, architect, of work now in hand was laid upon the table. The Board at this stage went into committee.