BOARD OR GOVERNORS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXIX, Issue 9997, 28 March 1893, Page 2

BOARD OR GOVERNORS.

ORDINARY MEETING. An ordinary meeting of the Board of Governors of Canterbury College was held yesterday afternoon; present, Mr P. de C. Malet (Chairman), Hons W. Montgomery, W. C. Wulker and J. T. Peacock, Captain Garais, Messrs H. R, Webb, L. Cohen, W. Chryetall, E. Westenra, G. G. Stead, E. W. Pereday, P. D. S. Neave, T. W. Stringer and J. V. Colborne-Yeel. Apologies were received for the absence of Messrs A. E, G. Rhodes and J. V. Ross. THE HIGH SCHOOLS, Pursuant to notice, Mr Stead moved—" “That it bo a recommendation to the College Committee to enquire into and report on the number of school books used in the various classes in the Boys’ and Girls’ High Schools.” It was undoubted that the cost of books was a very important matter to the parents of children attending school, and while the Board could not control the primary schools or private schools it could set an example in this direction. Prom enquiries he had made he had no doubt that the cost of books was double what it should be, and in many cases parents had been unable on this account to allow their children to remain at school. The motion was seconded by the Hon W. C, Walker. The Hon W. Montgomery said that the Committee had had the matter under consideration, and had received letters from the head master of the Boys' High School and the lady principal of the Girls’ High School. Perhaps it would be advisable to read these letters for’the information of the Board. Mr Stead said that he was unaware of the receipt of these lettars, but while he had every respect for the opinions of the head master of the Hoys’ High School and the lady principal of the Girls’ Hi«4| School, he thought that the making its enquiries, should go further afield, and consider the subject in all its bearings. The motion was then nut to the meeting

making its enquiries, should go further afield, and consider the subject in all its bearings. The motion was then put to the meeting and agreed to. Pursuant to notice, Mr Stead moved—- “ That it be a recommendation to the College Committee to enquire into the expediency of introducing a class for typewriting and shorthand writing in the Boys’ High School.” Ho said that since he tabled bio motion be had learned that there was already a class for shorthand writing at the school, and he would ask leave to amend hie motion by the omission of the part referring to shorthand. Leave was granted, and the motion was amended accordingly. Mr Stead, speaking to his motion, said that typewriting was entering more and more largely into every walk of life, and the boy who bad acquired skill in the art would have the best prospect of achieving success in after life.

The motion was seconded by Mr Veel. The Hon J. T. Peacock would not oppose ; the motion, but he understood that facility] in typewriting could be acquired in a very] short time, and the Committee should con-| eider the best time at which pupils should* take up the work, so that the curriculum! should not be disarranged unnecessarily. | The Hon W. C. Walker was sorry thql the motion had been amended, as ha cow eidered that the teaching of shorthand; should take a prominent pact in tb| curriculum of the school. i Mr Stringer and Mr Stead said that Mi Peacock was in error in supposing tha| typewriting could be learned in a shore time. On the other hand, it was only aft# much practice that reasonable facility wity attained. | The motion was then put to the meeting and carried. The letters received from the master of the Boys’ High School and th® lady principal of the Girls' High School, A to the cost of books and the frequency d* changes, were read, and referred to th| Committee. A discussion took place as to the scojj® of the inquiry into the school book question to be conducted by the College Committee. 7 The Hon J. T. Peacock said he thought it would be advisable that the inquiry should be conducted by an independent Committee, and not by the College Committee. He certainly thought that A& Stead should have a seat on the Committee. He had heard numerous complaints m regard to books. 'J The Chairman pointed out that tqe motion had been passed, and that the matter was now in the hands of tfe College Committee. | HIGH SCHOOL BOARDS. The following gentlemen were elected members of High School Boards:—fer A. H. Westenra, Akaroa; Mr J. Johnstop, Bangiora; Messrs J. Sinclair and B. p. Studholme, Waimate. | BOABD OB’ ADVICE. jf - Mr H. Overton was elected a membei|of the Board of Advice of the Lincoln School of Agriculture. $ vacancies. a The Chairman reported that he hadjiecoived Mr T. W. Maude’s resignation aq a member of the Board. % On the motion of Mr Westenra, seconded by the Hon W. C. Walker, the resignation was accepted with regret. Attention was drawn to the fact t|at, under Clause 6 of the Standing Orders of the Board, Mr L. Harper had ceased t$ be a member. >1 It was resolved that nominations f off the vacancies should close on April 15, ais an election take place on April 29. | SCHOOL OB AGRICULTURE. A The Chairman said that at the last Meeting of the Board it had been resolrdii to appoint a Commission in England to make the selection of a director for the Sohqbl of Agriculture at Lincoln. The necessary papers had been sent Home by the prat opportunity, and the Agent-General)j(Mr Perceval), Mr John Tosswill, a gentleman well-known here. Lord Onslow, the Jate Governor o£ the Colony, and Mr P. Cunningham, who would leave for England by the Tainui next month, had been asked# to act on the Commission. The Commission had been authorised to re-advertise,| or not, as it should think fit. The whollof the papers and testimonials had been jprwarded to it, and the present applicants for the Directorship had been informed accordingly. I COLLEGE COMMITTEE. | The following report of the College Committee was read :—“ The Committee recommends the Board—(1) That on the recommendation of the Professorial Council, the exhibition for Latin awarded do Mr W. S. Harris at the end of 1892 fete tranferred to Mr J. Bannister, who ws® proxime accessit to Mr Harris, the latter student having left the Colony. (2) That Professor Brown be permitted to appoin| a graduate to assist him in the routine duties of his Chair for the two terms of the year 1893, the name of such assistant to be submiStad to and approved of by the Chairman; the expense of the assistant tej be borne by Professor Brown, who isfcolm responsible for the work of the assistant. 1i The report was adopted. i MUSEUM COMMITTEE. 1 The Museum Committee recommendedthat Mr Alexander P. Morrison should be appointed demonstrator at the School of Engineering at a salary at the rate of ,£l5O per annum, the appointment to be subject to three months' notice in writing on either side. The report was adopted. LIBRARY COMMITTEE. The following report of the Library Committee was read -The Committee recommends the Board—(1) That the Committee be authorised to call for tenders for an addition, 48ft by 32ft, in brick to the Library, at an estimated cost of .£6OO. (2) That the Committee be authorised to accept a tender for the work approximately at the sum named above. The report was adopted, MISCELLANEOUS. The Chairman reported that Captain Hatton, the Curator of the Museum, had undertaken to give lectures on biology during tho current year, there being at present a vacancy in the lectureship on that subject. The Hon W. C. Walker said that he had seen a statement in the papers that Professor Biekertoa had discontinued the delivery of what were known as “popular j

lectures ” in consequence of the action of the Professorial Council. He would like to ask if the Chairman knew anything about the matter. . The . Chairman said that, officially, na knew nothing. Prom what he had heaijljM however, he believed that Professor JBickei-* ton’s colleagues did not agree that it was advisable the lectures should be continued. The Hon W. Montgomery said that the Professorial Council had no power to pre* vent Professor Bickerton giving fches* lectures. Mr Stead thought it might be as well for tbe Board to look into the matter. That the lectures had been very popular was shown by the large attendances at them. The Chairman pointed out that tbe matter of giving permission rested entirely with the Board, should Professor Bickerton make application. The Chairman announced that he would shortly leave the Colony on a visit to England extending over some months. He had discussed the question as to whether he should resign the Chairmanship with several of the members, and they had advised him not to do so. However, he was quite in the hands of the Board. The members knew tbe interest be took in tbe College, and, if they so desired, he would not resign; hut if, on the other had, they thought he should vacate his position, he, would be happy to make way for a better man. The desire was expressed that Mr Malet should retain the Chairmanship, and, on the motion of Mr Stead, seconded by the Hon W. Montgomery, leave of absence for nine months was granted to him. The Chairman stated that there was a motion on the minutes authorising him to give the custody of the keys and seal to Messrs fieetham and Westenra, and those gentlemen were also empowered to sign cheques. The meeting then terminated.