EDUCATION BOARD.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7143, 22 April 1885, Page 3

EDUCATION BOARD.

Tuesday, April 21. Present — Rev. P. Sidey (in the chair), Captain Russell, M.H.R., Mr Locke, M.H.R., Dr Spencer, and Messrs F. Sutton, D. Guy, T. White, and R. Harding. The first business was the election of chairman, and Mr Ormond was unanimously re-elected. _ CORRESPONDENCE. The following correspondence was read : — Froua Mr W. F. Knight, Tahoraite, reporting on the Kumeroa school to the effect that the brickwork was bad and much of the woodwork defective. — It waa resolved not to pay the subsidy voted by the Board until the defects mentioned were remedied to Mi* Knight's satisfaction. From the Kumeroa Committee, asking that Mr Hall might be retained as master. — From Mr Hall, offering certain

explanations. — The Inspector was requested to report on the matter.

From the Matawhero Committee, recommending J. Tidmarsh as pupilteacher, vice Miss Baty, resigned. — • Approved.

From Mr Woodbine Johnstone, Maraetaha, stating that the school he had built, though calculated to accommodate i 30 pupils, was now attended by 50, and more would attend if there were room. There was also urgent necessity for a teacher's residence, as no house could be rented. — Deferred. From theNorsewood Committee, applying for desks, &c— The required appliances to be forwarded.

From the Petane Committee, asking for a grant for the re-building of the chimney at the teacher's residence, and I for painting.— Deferred. " From the Port Ahuriri Committee, asking for forms and appliances. — Granted. From the same, recommending that Mr Heslin, second year's pupil-teacher, be allowed to go up for the fourth year's examination. — Agreed to. From the Waipawa School Committee, asking for additional accommodation, repairs, blinds, &c, also for such alterations as would secure the separation of the boys' and girla' playgrounds and offices.— The Inspector strongly urged the necessity for better accommodation in the grounds. — Deferred. From the Waipukurau Committee, recommending Mr A. Anderson as head master. —Approved.

From the 3ame, stating that though tho attendance had. fallen below the number which would entitle the school to an assistant mistress, that was due to sickness among the children, and suggesting that the question should stand over for a month, when, if the attendance improved, an assistant mistress might be appointed . — Approved .

! From Mr Holmes, teacher of the Havelock school, explaining that in consequence of his not understanding how to make up one of the "information tables " the per centage of passes did not appear to be sufficient to entitle the master to a bonus, while in fact it was i sufficient. — The Inspector endorsed Mr Holmes' explanation, and the Board agreed to grant the request. From the Wainui Committee, aaking whether the Board would object to the letting of the school-room for a quadrille club. — The members of the Board generally expressed disapproval of the proposal, and passed a resolution to that effect, but adding that the Board had always left the control of school buildings to the committees, and did not care to depart from the usual course in this instance. THE BUILDING VOTE. The Chairman said the only remaining business was the consideration of the allocation of the building grant. It would be remembered that the Chairman (Mr Ormond) and the Inspector were requested to draw out a scheme of allocation so far as the money available would go. The Inspector said he had drawn up a scheme, and had submitted it to Mr Ormond, but he did not know whether Mr Ormond approved it or not. Captain Russell said he wished to move that the Board resign, and leave the General Government tc« administer education in the district.

The Chairman ruled that such a motion could not be put, except as an amendment on a motion to adopt a particular scheme of allocating the building vote, which was the business before the meeting.

Captain Russell said that at the last meeting nothing definite was done, and he undorstood that the whole question was open.

The Chairman understood that the Board had decided to carry on its functions, but that a farther letter was to be sent to the Minister for Education, again urging the inadequacy of the building fund allotted to this district, and the chairman was left to draw up the letter. There was no minute to that effect, but his recollection was distinctly that such, an understanding was arrived at. Had he noticed it when the minutes were courmed he would have called attention to the omission. Several members corroborated the chairman's recollection of the matter.' The Inspector stated that the chairman was corrsct, but the motion which was passed at the instance of Mr Ormond was merely one adjourning the further consideration of the question. Mr Sutton said ho was still of the opinion that the Board would be justified in anticipating this year's grant. The grant they had in hand now was that for the last financial year, and the Board was perfectly certain to receive a grant this year, and if the works were put in hand now they would not be finished before the money was available.

Captain liussell said the Board's position was this : On the 17th of February last they decided that unless sufficient funda were granted to provide for urgent works they would resign and leave the Government to administer educational affairs in the district. The sum then in hand was £1755, and £1000 more was granted, making 'a total of £2755. The amount required to meet urgent wants was £7700, and at least £10,000 was required to place the Board in a proper position. The Government, therefore, had not provided the Board will sufficient funds, and he contended that the Board shonld carry out its expressed intention, and resign. Mr Sutton suggested overdrawing the Board's account, but the Government had distinctly refused to assent to that. [Mr Sutton: I do not propose to overdraw, but to anticipate this year's grant. The money will be available when wanted.] That was much the same thing, and he objected to it on principle, for the Board had no guarantee that there would be any grant this year. Besides, if that were done, the Board would be in just the same difficulty at the end of the year, as the attendance at the schools was rapidly increasing. He believed the only feasible way to obtain f und 3 was for the Board to resign. Tho Education Department would then be pestered by letters such as that just read from Waipawa, which showed a disgraceful state of affairs. As chairman of the Hastings committee he would personally write every week until he got some satisfaction. The G-overaineub would then be in the position that they must alter the system or give the required money, and they would give the inooey.

After some further discussion it was decided to postpone any action until Mr Ormond could be present. A motion that the Board adjourn until to-day was lost, and it was ultimately decided to meet next Tuesday to consider the proposed allocation of the building vote and Capt. Eussell's motion. A memorandum laid on the table by the Inspoctor stated that during the last quarter the number of children in attendance had increased 10 per cent., and the average attendance had increased 9 per cent. The Board then adjourned.