HAWKE'S BAY EDUCATION BOARD.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 50429, 4 May 1878, Page 2

HAWKE'S BAY EDUCATION BOARD.

I Thursday, May 3. The Board met at 11.30 a.m. Present — The chairman (J. D. Ormond, Esq.), Miss Herbert, the Rev. D. Sidey, Captain Russell, Mr Harding, and Mr Lee. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The Chairman said that the sub-com-mittee appointed to confer with Mr Hislop had mot him on the previous day, and were engaged for some time in consultation with him on all the subjects upon which Mr Hislop's advice was required. The committee were very thankful to Mr Hislop for the information, he was able to give them, as it would save an emormous amount of correspondence, besides which the information Mr Hislop had supplied was very useful. The department at Wellington, it appeared, had been very much in the dark as to the school buildings in this district. Now, however, they understood the position of the matter, and it would be brought under consideration. With that view the subcommittee had agreed to get a schedule prepared of all the school buildings in the district, giving a full description of them. A very important subject which was discussed with Mr Hislop was the question of finance. Mr Hislop pointed out that in districts like this, that were sparsely populated, the cost of education was greater than in such a thickly populated place as Canterbury. Here the average attendance was about 30 per school, while in Canterbury it was 1)0. In the latter district there were some very large schools, thus affording I the opportunity of effecting a large saving upon the capitation allowance, which could go towards the support of the smaller schools in up-country districts. Here, on the contrary, there was no opportunity for saving anything, as thoro were no very large schools, and therefore the capitatiou allowance would not be sufficient for the requirements. This was a matter which should have the consideration of the board. He did not propose that they should deal with it that day, but that they should consider it prior to arriving at some conclusion about it at their meeting on the 20th instant. Probably it would ba found advisable to treat small schools under the provision of clause 88 of the Act, which empowered tho board to give aid to schools which were started by private enterprise, on condition that such schools were conducted in the same way as other schools that were under the control of the board. In effect, that in places where there was a small population the people would have to do a good deal for themselves in educational matters, receiving such assistance as the board could give them. The board was in tho difliculty that it had not suHiciont funds at its command for the requirements of the district, and it would have to arrange accordingly, and provide tho moat efficient teaching that could be given for the money they had to spend. Another subject that had been discussed with Mr Hislop was as to the distribution of the public library fund. It was found

that what had been proposed to be done hero was much the same as the course that had been adopted elsewhere, which was to give pound for pound on the subscriptions received by each library. Mr Hislop had suggested that a condition should bo imposed requiring that the library should be of a permanent character, and that it should be open free to the public. With respect to the classification of teachers, it appeared that there was a difficulty in getting accurate information. As the board were aware, the department had taken steps for obtaining the necessary information from the teachers, and when that was done the Government would proceed to frame those regulations in Council which were contemplated by the Act. The sub-committee thought that in respect to this matter the board might adopt one of two courses. One was to make appoint 1 ments on condition only that the teachers undertook to pass an examination for certificates. The other course was to have a preliminary examination of teachers by the inspector, assisted by a sub-committee ; not, however, with the view of giving the teachers any status, but to afford assistance to the board in deciding upon the eligibility of teachers proposed to be appointed. Tho next matter was with regard to the supply of books to schools. The sub-committee came to the conclusion to recommend the board that the parents of tho children attending the schools should supply them with books. It would not be a great tax upon them, considering that they were getting their children educated free of charge. It would also relieve the board slightly, if the masters could arrange with the parents of the children to give a small sum for the stationery, <fee. That was a plan that was followed in Otago, and it was found to work well there. The next matter was with respect to the two trust schools. This was not a question for the board, but he mentioned it so that it should obtain publicity and come under the notice of the conductors of those schools. They would have to put themselves into a position to get the proceeds of the educational reserves set apart for secondary education. Those schools, he might mention, would have to be open to inspection in order to be qualified for scholarships. With respect to school buildings, Mr Hislop had left for the board's inspection plans of the schools in Otago and Wellington, which appeared to be very suitable to this district. Another subject he had to bring under the notice of the board was as to the school fund for the committees. The idea the sub-committee had on that question was that the same course should be adopted as in other places, which was that a fourth of the amount indicated by the -Act to .fee applied to those purposes would suffice, and would be what the board would be able to afford. It was therefore proposed that 2s 6d per head on the average attendance of scholars should be allotted to the committees. There were two great subjects which the board would have to deal with. One was as to school accommodation —to proceed to erect sohools where they were necessary ; and the other, how far the board would be able to carry on the schools on their present basis. He would bring those subjects before the board at their next meeting. A telegram was read from Mr Kenrick, stating that he had forwarded a letter resigning his seat on the board. Some conversation ensued as to the course that would have to be pursued, which was ascertained to be a recapitulation of the whole course of nomination and selection by the school committees, just as in the case of the election of a new board. The following letter from Mr Colenso was read : — A letter was read from the Waipawa school committee, stating that further accommodation than what was at present available for the children attending school in that district, was required, and asking for a grant of £500 for that purpose. It was decided that the. letter should be considered when the question of school buildings was brought before the board. Wiiipukurau, May 1, 1878. Sir,— l have the honour to call jour attention to the following. 1 should not, however, write did I not know from Hkk.vld of this morning:, that the Education Board meets again to-morrow, and that my name in connection with my late oiliec had been prominently before tho Board yesterday. I note what you are reported to have said in your opening address, vU., "that in considering the applications received, they should consider whether the late Inspector should not be induced to accept office ;" also the question put by Captain Russell,—" whether there was any probability of Mr Colenso continuing to hold the uflice :" and, further, your reply thereto. It is wholly owing to the foregoing that I no write. For I had supposed (wrongly perhaps),— that having resigned my late office on !Ust March, (but contingently on Bth April,) and the late Board having subsequently ollieially asked me to continue in olfiee until :iOth April, to which I had immediately assented, —that the way was open for the new Board, meeting on that same day the 30th (if thai c?to,<r), to ask mo further and at once to remain in office ; or to ask me to withdraw my resignation ; to either of which I should have assented. For, although repeatedly requested (by many, too. whom I have long known and highly respected,) to withdraw my resignation ; I failed to see how I could possibly do no, that resignation having been by the late Board officially accepted. However, (having made this explanation,) I write now to say, that,— owing to the very numerous strong and pressing requests made to me (both personally and by letter) by till the old experienched Teachers of our schools, <uid by several of the newer ones, together with the still stronger solicitations and persuasions of many of our oldest and principal settlers and also those of their children, — I am willing to continue to hold the oflice of Inspector of Schools, if such is the wish of the Board. Ami as I am now here at this place, and am anxious to visit the Porangahau School before that 1 return to Napier, (having already inspected all the other southern ones,) f should much like to have the reply of the Board at once and by telegram ; for, if the Board accept my proposal, I leave hence immediately (weather permitting) for Poraugahau, as 1 can not well come back again to go thither in the winter ; and if on the contrary the Board should decline it, then I return to-morrow to Napier. [ have, &c, (Signed) \V. Colp.xso. The Chairman Board of Education, Napier. It was decided that the letter should come under consideration together with j the applications for the inspectorship. I The Chairman asked what was the wish | of the board with regard to the matter of school buildings 'I Should it be considered I at the next meeting 1 I Captain Russell thought so. | The Rev. Mr Sidey said there was the ; important question of building one large school for Napier to be considered. Mr Lee : And tho two schools at Clive to be amalgamated into one. The Chairman said it no doubt was desirable that that should be done, but it would involve the building of a new school-house. He had talked with Mr Hislop on the subject, and no other conclusion could be arrived at than that the board, with the money at its command, could do no more than provide school accommodation in places where there were now no schools at all, and no means of hiring any buildings for the purpose. The position was difficult, because tho board had no means. If large school buildings could be erected, the funds at the disposal of the board could be considerably economised. This, however, could not be done, particularly when there was such pressing necessity for school accommodation. Miss Herbert said that in some cases she had no doubt that local assistance could be given. There was Waipawa, for instance, where more school accommodation was much needed ; she believed that a fund could be raised there for the purpose, if the board would assist. The Chairman said there was provision in the Act by which local aid could be made available. The Rev. Mr Sidey said that if the people in such places could be informed what amount could be given to them, they might then set about to supplement it. He still thought that the building of a large school for Napier was an urgent matter, nnd that it should be considered at the next meeting- of the board. The Chairman thought that the Minister would authorise the board to go on with building a school for Napier. If the present system of education was to be continued, school buildings must be provided. It would be no use to wait for Parliament to make provision, as no doubt it would be well on to July before

it would assemble. The only way therefore was to get authority to go on with what was required, and, as he had remarked, ho believed that the authority would be given. He had been thinking that the matter would be somewhat facilitated if the board were in poasession of full information as to what was required in all the districts. At present the board only got information on the subject by driblets. Miss Herbert thought that perhaps when the school committees saw in the report of the board's proceedings that such information was required, they would furnish it. There was a Scandinavian settlement near Mr Bridge's, where thoro were 40 children — had an application come in from there for a school ? The Chairman thought he knew about that settlement. He was afraid that all the board could do in such cases wtfuld be to grant aid. Miss Herbert did not believe the poor settlers could raise any money for the purpose of providing schools. The Rev. Mr Sidey was afraid they would have to reduce salaries. The Chairman : And lose some of the best masters. He did not think there would be any need for such a course. The necessity of concentrating schools was, however, very obvious. The Eev. Mr Sidey moved, "That at the next meeting the board consider the question of school buildings in the district, with the view of providing for absolutely essential repairs and additions to existing schools, and also decide what new school buildings should be built." The motion was seconded by Captain Russell, and carried. On the motion of Mr Lee, seconded by Mr Harding, it was resolved, "That the chairman communicate with the Government, representing the financial position of the board, and asking the authority of the Government to enter into a contract for the building of a common school at Napier, it being certain that the fund at the disposal of the board will not enable absolutely necessary schools to be provided in country districts, and also what is necessary in Napier." The board then took up the matter of distributing the public libraries fund. The Chairman did not think they could do much, as they only had £179 to distribute. Mr Sidey thought they should appoint a committee to ascertain whether the condition of permanency attached to all the applications. The Chairman would be inclined to divide the money in a rough and ready sort of way, and impose the condition that the libraries receiving subsidies should be permanent. There were four applications for small amounts, and if those got pound for pound, the remainder could be shared equally among free libaries. The Napier Athenaeum was of course out of the question. There was an application from Miss Herbert — what would the library be termed ? Miss Herbert said that the books were circulated among the settlers in the bush; she would term it the Bush Settlements' Library. It was resolved, " That the public and school libraries be aided as follows, subject to an undertaking being given in each case that the use of the books be open to the public free of charge, and that the library be a public library :—Waipukurau, Hastings, Meanee, Hampden, Wairoa, Bush Settlements, and Ormond, £19 6s each ; Petane, £10 103; Tamamu, £13 2s ; Puketapu, £11 ; Porangahau, £10." The competitive plans for schools, as well as those left by Mr Hislop, then engaged the attention of the board for a short time, but it was deemed better to consider them after the question as to school buildings should be disposed of. Mr Lee moved, " That the consideration of the plans for school buildings be postponed to next meeting of the board, and that copies be made of the plans left by Mr Hislop." The motion was seconded by Mr Harding, and carried. On the motion of Mr Harding, seconded by Mr Lee, it was resolved, " That a payment of 2s 6d a head on the average attendance for the month of April, at each school, be paid to the school committees as a school fund." The question as to the inspectorship of schools was then dealt with. The Chairman asked whether the board would now consider Mr Colenso's letter. Mr Lee said he would be inclined to reply to it in the negative, unless the board could not get anyone better, and he thought they could. The board were acting for the general good, and whatever the feelings of the members might be for one who certainly had done good service, yet they were bound to look to what was needed for effectively carrying out the system that was being established. He questioned very much whether Mr Colenso knew anything of the several standards which the Government required should be those to which the pupils should reach. In fact, the board required to have some one who was thoroughly acquainted with the system, and, moreover, one more suited to present circumstances. He said this without antagonism to Mr Colenso, but he could not help feeling that with a new man they would make a fresh start. The Chairman asked would Mr Lee move a resolution on the subject. Mr Lee said he would merely propose that Mr Colenso's letter should be taken with the other applications sent in. The Rev. Mr Sidey thought that would be the best course. Mr Harding considered that it would be unfair towards the other applicants, after giving them so much trouble, to put their applications on one side. j The board then proceeded to deal with the applications. The Chairman said that the subcommittee had selected three applicants, as appearing to be more suitable than the others, but if the board wished it, he would read the letters of application and testimonials of the others, though it would take a very long time. It was agreed that it would be unnecessary to go again through the work that had been done by the sub-committee, and the question was confined to the three applicants, who were, Messrs Dickson, of Hokitika ; Hill, of Christchurch ; and Anderson, of Auckland. The letters of application and testimonials of these were read, and, after some consideration, it was decided that Mr Hill would be most suitable for the office, with Mr Dickson next, the following resolution being passed on the subject, on the motion of Captain Russell, seconded by Mr Lee :— "That the chairman communicate with Messrs Hill and Dickson as to the salary to be attached to the office of inspector ; also as to when the duties could be assumed." The Chairman asked how Mr Colenso's letter was to be answered. He supposed that as it was to have been considered with the other applications, and the board had decided to selecfc two, rejecting the others, that the decision applied to Mr Colenso's letter also. Miss Herbert said that Mr Colenso had done good service, and that it should meet with recognition. The Rev. Mr Sidey quite agreed. Captain Russell, Mr Harding, and Mr Lee also concurred. The Chairman said no one could be more sensible than himself of the value of Mr Colenso's services. Would the board authorise him to convey to Mr Colenso an expression of their opinion 1 The following resolution was passed on the subject, on the motion of Captain Russel, seconded by Mr Lee : — " That the chairman convey to the late inspector, Mr Colenso, the sense of the valuable services he has rendered to the cause of education in this district." The board then had a conversation on the subject of the duties attaching to the officers of inspector and secretary, and adjourned to the 20th instant,