SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXI, Issue 7222, 23 April 1884, Page 6

SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

RANGIORA

One of the gentlemen elected at the annual meeting of householders, to serve on the above-named Committee having been declared by the Board’s solicitor to bo ineligible to act, a meeting of householders was hold at the schoolroom on Monday night to elect another in his place. There were about thirty-five persons present, and Mr A. H. Cunningham occupied the chair. The Yen Archdeacon Dudley addressed the meeting on tho desirability of continuing the present system of Bible teaching in the school, and proposed Mr Mcech as a candidate who would uphold that system. Mr W. Watorston seconded the nomination.

Mr T. Boyd said there was no doubt but that giving tho Bible lesson at the present hour, viz., from 11.30 to noon, was a direct contravention of the Act, and, being so, he thought it was his duty to oppose it. If the lesson were given either before or after school hours he would not say one.word against it. He was of opinion that the School Committee should consist of persons who would strictly carry out the Education Act, and ho would propose Mr R. Atkinson as a candidate.

Mr J. J. Robinson, in seconding tlie nomination, said he was not aware that it was the intention to bring up the question of the Bible teaching in the Schools, but as it had been brought forward he would like to make a few remarks. First, he would say that if the report of the last meeting of the Committee appearing in the newspapers was a copy of the minutes, as it wAs stated to be, the minutes were certainly very incorrect. In the report, Mr Boyd’s motion had been put before the public in such a form as to mislead them. The motion was “That the Bible lesson be discontinued ; ” but the words “in schoolhours ” had been left out, and an altogether different construction had thus been placed upon the question at issue, further than this, he, himself, was reported to have moved a resolution, in effect, that the Board’s permission to the lesson be asked for; but he did nothing of the kind. It was agreed that the Board should be asked whether they considered the Committee to be acting legally in allowing the lesson to be given at the present hour, and, although, as far as he could glean from the newspaper reports of the Board’s meeting, it was not put to them in,this way, they almost unanimously expressed an opinion that it was illegal to use the machinery of the school in providing for Bible instruction. Mr Cunningham said he did not see the report of the Board’s meeting, as he left Canterbury on the evening of the day it was held. The Board agreed that so long as two consecutive hours in each half of the day were devoted to secular instruction they could not in any way interfere with the School Committee. He would point out to Mr Robinson, that newspaper reports were not always correct. Mr Robinson thought the report referred to would be found to be pretty correct, and that giving the lesson at the present hour, and in the present manner, was a contravention of the Act, and therefore he felt he could not uphold it, although he had great veneration for the Bible. The Yen Archdeacon Dudley expressed himself as both surprised and sorry to hear Mr Robinson—the father of a family —speak against the lesson being given. Mr Robinson remarked that he did not care in the least about Mr Dudley’s opinion or sorrow. If the lesson was given before or after school, he should be very much in favour of it.

As no one else appeared to wish to speak, nor were there any more nominations made, a ballot was taken and resulted in the return of Mr Meech. The meeting then terminated. GUST. A special meeting of- the above was held on Monday evening; present—Eev N. M'Callum (Chairman), Messrs Crysell, Lee, Hassall, Tollatt, Jones and Sweetland. Correspondence was • received from the Board of Education, agreeing to allow the master to reside at Stoke, on condition that the master’s house would be partially occupied, and that the master be held responsible for the maintenance of the same. Permission was granted to the master to attend the sittings of the Supreme Court, he having received a subpoena requesting his attendance. The sub-Committee reported in regard to the water supply, that they considered one well would be sufficient for the requirements of the school, and that a draw bucket be used instead of a pump. It was agreed that the report be adopted. An account having been passed for payment, and instructions been given for various works to be carried out, the Committee adjourned.

KAIAPOI. The adjourned meeting of the Eaiapoi School Committee, called for the purpose of receiving applications for the position of infant mistress, was held on Monday evening ; present—Messrs Pamham (Chairman), Pashby, Moore, Fraser, Humphreys, and Coup. Mr J. L. Wilson was elected to fill the vacancy caused by ’ the retirement of Mr F. Eobins. Three applications for the post of mistress were received, and it was unanimously resolved to recommend the appointment of Miss Yesey. It was further decided to call for tenders for the supply of fuel, and it was agreed to close the school on Friday, May 2, for a fortnight during the potato-digging season. The Committee then adjourned.