BOARD OF GOVERNORS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXIX, Issue 10050, 30 May 1893, Page 2

BOARD OF GOVERNORS.

ORDINARY MEETING. An ordinary meeting of the Board of Governors of Canterbury College waa held yesterday afternoon; present —Mr H. E. Webb (in the chair), the Hons W. Montgomery, J. T. Peacock and W. C. Walker, Captain Garsia, and Messrs It. Weatenra, J. V. Robb,W. Chrystall, G. G. Stead, L. Cohen, T. S. Poster, E. G. Wright, E. W. Fereday, P. D, S. Neave and A. E. G. Ehodee. An apology for absence was received from Mr Sjpackmaa. The Acting-Chairman reported that Mrs Tanored had presented the Board with about 150 volumes of very useful works, and a vote of thanks was passed to her. The Acting-Chairman stated that Mr Gilby, Secretary to the Chairman, had resigned his office, in consequence of the Chairman’s departure for England. SCHOOL BOOKS. The College Committee having been requested to consider the question of the number of books in use at the Boys' and Girls’ High Schools, and also the expediency of introducing a class for tho instruction of type - writing at these schools, brought up the following report:—"The Committee having fully considered the question of tho number of books in use at the Girls’ High School and also at the Boys’ High School, is of opinion that the same are necessary for efficiently carrying out tho system of secondary education. As to the question of establishing a class for type-writing in the Boys’ aud Girls’ High Schools, the Committee considers that the subject cannot be taught during school hours without materially disturbing the course cf instruction given at the schools; and therefore it could only be taught as an extra subject to a few pupils outside of school hours, at an expense greater, the Committee believes, than instruction could he obtained apart from the schools.”

Mr Stead spoke at some length on the number of changes in hooka which had taken place at these schools during the last few years, and said he found that of twenty-one Latin books in use in 1891 only fifteen were retained in 1892 and fourteen in 1893, and as twenty-one books were still in use in 1893 the Board would see that seven new books had been introduced in two years on this one subject. Iu English there were twenty-seven books in use in 1891. Of these thirteen were retained in 1892 and ten in 1893. Thus in this subject seventeen new books had been introduced in the past two years. In Preach, of the nine books in use in 1891, ; seven were retained in 1892 and four in 1893, thus showing a change of five in the two years. In mathematics there were seven books in use in 1891. These were increased to ten in 1892 and to eleven in 1893. The fact was that out of eightyeight books used in the Boys’ High School —excluding writing and drawing books—there had been forty-five changes since 1891, or rather more than one-half the entire number of books had been changed during the past two years. Now he came to a comparison of the number of books at the Boys' High School with those used at the Girls’High School. He found that of the twenty-one Latin books used at the Boys’ High School, only five of the same books ware used at the Girls’ High School, whilst six different Latin hooka were used at the latter institution. Of the twentyseven English books used at the Boys’ High School, only four were used at the Girls’High School, twelve different books in English being used at the latter. In French eight books were used at the Boys* High School and only one of these at the Girls’ High School, whilst at the latter there were eleven different books iu use. There were eleven mathematical books m use at the Boys’ High School and only four at the Girls’, and again there were seven books on science used- in the Boys* High School, and only one at the Girls’. He then read the following comparison between Christ’s College and Canterbury College, showing the following list of books used in the two institutionss— Latin—Christ’s College IS, Canterbury College 21; Greek—Christ's College 8, Canterbury College 3; Mathematics— Christ's College 5, Canterbury College 11; English—Christ's College 19, Canterbury College 27; French—Christ's College 6. Canterbury College 12; Science—Christ’s College 3, Canterbury College 7. In Latiu, French, &e., Canterbury College used 81 books, whilst Christ's College used only 57. He questioned whether it was advisable to have so many books iu use as at present, and thought it was an unnecessary burden on the parents. Many people from this cause were compelled to take their children away from school earlier than they would otherwise do. The principal grievance of parents was that with these constant changes thoaa who had two or three children attending the school had to get fresh books for each one, as by the time one boy followed another upwards in the classes, and should be able to use the elder boy’s disused books, the books in that class had been changed. The Hon W. Montgomery said the question had been thoroughly gone into with the head-master, and it appeared to be necessary not to curtail the number of books at present in use at the school. The head-master avoided causing parents more expense than was positively necessary, and a suggestion had been made that this should be borne by the Board. Prom the evidence heard by the Committee he was quite satisfied that the head-master was thoroughly capable of judging what was best, and he should support the report of the Committee. The Hon J. T, Peacock said that Mr Stead had evidently taken a great deal of interest in the matter, and bad gone to considerable trouble, and he was inclined to agree with that gentleman. Probably it would be wise to refer the whole thing to a Select Committee. Mr Cohen said that there was no doubt Mr Stead, from statements he had received from parents, had approached the question believing he was ventilating a genuine grievance. He (Mr Cohen) contended that the changes had been in the direction of doing away with effete and useless books, and had been the means of introducing a graduating series of books. The books that multiplied most each year were the text books in literature, and these books must necessarily change. They were mainly cheap books. He maintained that there was no analogy between the Boys’ and Girls' High Schools in the matter of books. The internal working of one school, with its different subdivisions, could not be compared with the other in the matter of the number of books used. In comparing the numbarof books used at Christ’s College and the High School, it might bo said that the College would probably he glad to incur the expense for extra books if they could obtain the.same result .as the school under the management, of the Beard. In addition to what was said in the report;, the iCbramittee could give an' assurance that the question’“of. books was in a- vary satisfactory state, and the Committee had given the subject very careful consideration.

The Hon W. C. Walker thought tho Board -was indebted to Mr Stead for his action in this matter, and hoped that it •would bear .fruit. Ho was satiofied that the multiplicity of books was one of the greatest grievances amongst parents. At the present tame masters changed the boots very often, and the consequence was that both boys and parents suffered, the latter, of course, through their pockete. He was satisfied that the older scholars, with fewer books, did batter work than the scholars of the .present day with all the latest works.

The Chairman could bear,, out what Messrs Montgomery and Cohen hud said, and he was satisfied that Mr Bevaa-Brown was as economical ns possible. Mr Stead wished to rc-ply, but The Chairman ruled him out of order. Mr Stead than moved that the Board adjourn. This was not seconded. Mr Rhodes moved —" That the report bo referred back to the Committee.” Mr E. G, Wright seconded the amendment, and said that the parents who com-

plained of the expense of books were very short-sighted indeed. Mr Stead supported the amendment, because some members might have been, misled by bis opening remarks. Mr Montgomery had mistaken what he. had said in connection with costly books. Ha (Mr Stead) bad really said that fewer books should be need, and it waa not bis intention that they should be more costly. The Committee had pnt him in a wrong position. They invited him to the meeting" and then put him in the position of prosecutor. The only evidence token was that of the head master of the Boys’ High School and the Lady Principal of the Girls’ High School. He waa sorry that when he had mentioned a kindred institution that any member of the Board should have thought proper to make invidious remarks on that institution. He understood that the Lady Principal, of the Girls* High School maintained —and he thought rightlyfso—that herlschool was in every Way equal to the Boys’ High School, and yet there was not the same number of books used at that school.

Mr Cohen said' that it was quite true that Mr Stead had been put in the position of prosecutor by tho Committee, as the latter know nothing of any complaint*, and Mr Stead had initiated the matter. That being so, he was naturally asked to lead the Committee. His own idea waa that the report had been arrived at by the Committee after the amplest enquiry, and he thought it should be adopted. Tho Hon J. T. Peacock said, after what he had heard at that meeting, he thought they might as well do away with the College Committee, and let the teachers do as they wished.

The Hon E. C. J. Stevens said it appeared to him that the question of the cost of the hooka waa at the bottom of tha whole question. Ha askad tho Chairman to read a statement prepared by Mr Bevau-Brown as to the cost of books. Tha statement was to the effect that for a boy attending the school for, say, five years, the cpst of hooka would be First set 10s sd, second set 12s Id, third set 27s lOd, fourth set 37a fid, fifth set 4Ga fid. The average cost of a set would bo 2fis 10J. At this stage leave to withdraw the amendment was given, and tho report waa adopted. COLLEGE COMMITTEE. The College Committee recommended ? “ That Mr Arthur Dandy, Doctor of Science, be. appointed to fill the positioq.of lecturer on biology at the College, aud that he be asked to report himself on Feb. 1,1894, and that the salary commence on the data mentioned. Duration .of Terms and Vacations.—That the first term and lectures begin on March 10 (ia.the event of that day failing on a Sunday the term and lectures to commence on the following day. The term to extend to June 30. Four days' recess to ba allowed at Easter. The second term and lectures to commence on July 28. Lectures to extend to Oct. 24 inclusive; the College examination to follow, and the term to end on Nov. 7. That the necessary alterations be made in the next issue of tho ’College Calendar, 1 embodying the particulars of the resolution. That leave of absence for two terms, on account of ill-health, he given to'Mrs Lane, teacher of French at the Girls’ High School ; and that Miss Baber be appointed to carry on the work in the meantime for one term, at a salary at the rate of i>so pee annum. That Miss Stella Henderson and Miss Ellie Wilson he re-appointed teacher* in cooking at the Girls' High School for the second term, on the same basis as hitherto.”

The report was adopted, and it was decided to acquaint the Auckland University Council witn the alterations in the terms. MUSEUM COMMITTEE. The Museum Committee recommended that the sum of £lO should be paid as a gratuity to Mr A. Bleach, who had been as messenger at the Museum foe the past eight years, - his services having been dispensed with consequent on the reorganisation of the staff. On the motion of the Hon J. T. Peacock the amount was increased to £2O. LIBEABT COMMITTEE. The Library Committee reported that, in accordance with the authority given to the Committee, a tender had been accepted for an addition to the Public Library at a cost of £684. The report was adopted. SCHOOL OS' AET. The School of Art Committee recommended—“ That Mr S. Hurst Seager ha appointed to the position of part time instructor at the School of Art, at a salary at the rate of £l5O per annum, from Sept. 1 next; that Mr Thomas Cane.be appointed part time instructor at the School of Art, for the second term, at a salary of £33 6s 8d for that period; that the plans for an addition to the School of Art, as submitted by Mr Cane, be approved, and that the Committee be empowered to call for tenders for carrying out the same, and report to the Board.” The report was adopted. Thie concluded the business.