EDUCATION BOARD.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 785, 26 November 1873, Page 2 (Supplement)

EDUCATION BOARD.

The usual meeting of the Board was held on the 14th. The members present were His Honor the Superintendent, and Messrs Turnbull, Gillies, Turton, and the secretary Mr Hislop. SADDLE HILL. A deputation consisting of Messrs Pride and Finney appeared in support of an application for Llb'o, to be expended upon further additions to the present school-house. It was stated that the present building was 23ft. x 16ft., in which thirty-eight children were taught, and that six other pupils were preparing to attend the school. After discussion, it was referred to the Government for its favorable consideration. CAVERSHAM DISTRICT. Mr Stout appeared in Support of a petition from the inhabitants of the Lower Caversham, praying for the establishment of a school in that district. The petition set forth that there were ninety-five children ready to attend school. The attendance at the private school established in the district was thirty-five ; the total numbering of children living in the district being 172. Mr Stout explained that a piece of land had been given for a school, free of charge, by one of the residents. He thought the petitioners would be satisfied with some small assistance in the meantime. Mr Hislop suggested as a matter of courtesy that it should be constituted a Government school district, provided the Caversham school committee offered no objection. Such a step might be taken on the distinct understanding that it gave the teacher of the private school no claim to be regarded as a Government teacher until he had passed his examination in the proper way. Mr Stout believed he was quite willing to qualify himself in that way. It was accordingly agreed to erect it into a school district, pending which it should be placed under direction of the present Caversham School Board; provided always that the school committee offered no objection, and that the sum to be advanced for a building be supplemented by local contribution. OTEPOPO DISTRICT. An application was made for a sum of LSO to complete certain alterations in the school building, and also for the appointment of another pupil teacher. The question of finance was referred to the Government, and, on the recommendation of the Secretary, the proposal about the pupil teacher was agreed to. THE GOLDFIELHS. Applications were received from Clyde and Arrowtown for alterations to buildings, both of which were referred to Government. A similar application fromNaseby was also disposed of in a similar way. From Koxburgh an application was received for a sum of L 75 for similar purposes. The Secretary suggested that if the Roxburgh Committee agreed to go under the two thirds rule, the application should be complied with. The suggestion was adopted, and a resolution to that effect minuted. THE CHANGE OF SCHOOL BOOKS. A communication was read from the Green Island School Committee protesting agains the proposed change of school books as a hard ship upon families in the district who were not desirous of any such change being made. His Honor : We had better submit that to Bishop Moran. Mr Gillies : There is a good deal of truth in what is stated in the communication. The Secretary : The idea on this subject is very much exaggerated. Only two of the books presently in use will be discontinued. If judiciously brought about, the change will be wholly imperceptible. Rather than advise the Board to alter the policy agreed upon, a policy which was well considered, I would suggest that three months more be allowed for giving effect to the change. Mr Turton : Why change the books at all, if the teacher does not want it? His Honor : We want to take away all ground of objection to the books. We want to remove every possible objection that we can. The Secretary : There is merely a change of two books involved in the question, and if judiciously brought about it cannot possibly be it burden upon any one. The schools have got to the Ist of April to give effect to the change. That is still four and a-half months, and they have already had four inontlw to make the change. If that is not enough it would be better to extend the time still furthejr—say to the end of June. His Honor : Then we will record a minute to the effect that the Board cannot depart fi»m the regulation as laid down, but that when the Committee may require it, the time within which the change has to be made may be extended to July Ist. The Secretary : The change has met with the approval of the body of the teachers. As practical men, they look upon it as the only means of removing the objections that have been raised. I know that most of the teachers have been preparing for the change, and as a rule, it is being given effect to : when the pupil is done with the one book, the new one is substituted. A minute was then recorded to the following effect:—On the grouuds stated, the Board agrees to extend the time for completing the change to 30th of June next. PINE HILL, AHURIRI, CATLIN's RIVER, &C. Applications from each of these districts were read and considered. Subsidies to the extent of L 35 per annum were voted to each of them. An application from Blackstone Hill was dealt with in like manner. ELECTION OF INSPECTOR. Mr Donald Petrie, senior classical master, Scotch College, Melbourne, was elected by the unanimous vote of the Board. The meeting then adjourned.