EDUCATION BOARD.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1977, 6 October 1886, Page 2

EDUCATION BOARD.

The monthly moving of the B ar 1 took place yesterday Posen! : Mr Saym mr. (chairmin), Gap*. Bailite, and Messrs Hutcheson, Henderson, Parker, Lambert, and MuNib. SPUINGLANDS The following tenders were received for ereeiiug a new school at Spnnglanls: Peter Connell L 139 7 s , Harding amt Brent L126.M Hegglen Ll 17, F. Wats n Lilt), John Brookes L 124 10' Gl, A. Toop LIIG I s, Jackson and W.lliams 1.130, Aston and C> L 137, Jas. Wo'dlnm Ll3l 9s 6:1, Jas Ilowa d Ll3O, R. Dixon Li3s, J. Storey L 143, G. Nicholl Ll2O A. Peddie Ll7l 14s, Fulton and Matthews Ll3l 10s, Hughes and Paul LI3I, Jas Simpson L 175 10s. R. Brewer L 139 10 s. The lowest tender was accep’el. FINANCE. L-tter from the Tr asiuy stating that L 225 for inspection and capitation had been paid to the Boar i’s ace milt. EXCHANGING INSPECTORS. Letter from the Otago Education Bond asking the Marlborough Board’s opinion upon the desirability of exchtnging Inspectors. Gonsideta’ion of tho question was defe red. INSPECTOR'S REPORT. A report, giving the results of school inspections, was received from the Inspector and was ordered to be printed, BLENHEIM SCHOOL PLAYGROUND. A letter was read from the Blenheim School Committee complaining of.thc stagnant water lying about the playground, and asking that the evil might bo remedied McssrsHealy (chairman) and Renfrew, members of Committee attended, explained that LlO or Ll 5 was all that was required for present purposes. The latter stated that the drains were choked by an accutnaia iou of refuse from Mr Lucas’ house, and that the children were compelled to drink sewage water. It was resolved that tenders sltou'd he called for the necessary work, the cost not to exceed L2O. HARDING-LUCAS ENQUIRY. The C immilteo appointed t > enquire into and report up in this nnttrr sent iu their repo t. The chirges made by Miss liar ling and dealt wi.h by the Committee, and which which were nude by Miss Harding in consequence of a resolution of the Soho d Committee calling upon her for an explanation of the failures of girls to pass the Standards under her charge, were as follows : —(1) That Miss Lucas imperfectly grounded the children before tnoy vvero sent up to Miss Ilardi ig ; (2) That Mr Lucas helped his sister’s children iu the e rumination by erasing wiong figures aud supplying correct ones, ami L>y workings sum for a child ; (3) That Mr Lucas came to her house and threatened Miss Harding; (4) That Mr Lucas and o her teachers distracted Miss Harding’s scholars’ attention at the last examination by chatting and laughing iu front of the class ; (5) That Mr Lucas presented children a second time in the same Standard they had already passe i ; (G) that I lie boys and girls did not work under Ihe same advantages, aud that, therefore, the results caunot he comp tred. because the work at the boys’ examination was uol fairly and honestly done. The Committee reported as follows :

“ Ist Charge—From the evidence we are of opinion this cliaige has not bcea disproved.

*' 2nd Charge—From the evidence we are of opinion that this charge has not been disproved. “3rd Charge—We are of opinion that after Mr Lucas’ interview with Miss Harding she did not in consequence send her intended letter of the. 25th March, 18S5 to the Coimni tee in explanation of lai ures in her clas--.

“ 4th Charge —We are of opinion tint a grave disturbance did t ike place during til i last examination of the 4th Stumbl'd by pupil teachers from o'.hor parts of the school being present, aud exu ting uv r their gucc-s3 in having passed thoir examinations The Committ c are of opinion that the Inspector should have been pre.ent. “ sth Charge—We arc of opinion tut the boy mentione I in this charge as having been put back is sufficiently explained by .Mr Lucas ; bur that the schedules for 18S4, ISBS, and ISSG clearly show that pupils were passed a sec ill time in the same Standard,

•'Gth Charge—Fro m the c inflicting nature of the evidence in tin's charge wc are unable to form any definite conclusion.

“ The Commi'tee wou'd further s'.a't; : That after carefully reviewing tlie evidence on the various charges we are forced to the conclusion thht there Inve been grave irregu'aritie-in the schools ex'enliug over a considerable periu 1 of tim ; a.d that- it is not desirable l> have more than one te teller of a family in a school where three or more teachers are employed ; and that it is desirable tint t'ne Inspector should take ch trge of the class s during iximina ion and nut ietvc the room at all during the examination ; that no other teacher sh mid be allowed iu the room while children are under examination, hut only the one in charge of such class.”

Mr Lambert moved that the report Ic adopted. Mr Parker seconded and Mr Hut lerson opposed the motion. Tin Committee might lie perfectly right in the conclusions to which they had arrive), and after consideration he might or miitht not agree with their views. He cuuid not, however, commit himself to all tint the report contained without further looking into the matter.

Mr Ilutchoson whdst in favor of receiving the reporr, thought the Hoard should further consider the mat er before taking definite action. Captain 13 tillie pointed cut tint d' s repot t contained r< flections o i thejnspretor, and that officer should fee the report before it was ad ipted by the BojH. The Chairman pointed out tint t ;,? Board had as yet h id no opportun I} - 1,1 looking into the evidence. Mr Ik-nclsr* son moved That the report be received anil ordered to 1 e on the table.”

o<pt Biillie seconded. Mr Hutcheson th.ugli: the matter of too serious a nature to be dealt i!i f<j this olLhand m inner.—Mr L Gilbert if Mr Henderson’s amendment were carried it simply meant that tiro l( winked at serious irregularities. —Some exception having been taken to the wards *• not disproved ” used by the Cumuh'.tcv in their report. Mr Renfrew explained that the bciii' mittee had used the words from a fear 0 * the lav of libel ; the Committee “aJ actually been threatened with a prosecution for libel.

Mr Parker accused Mr Headers m ot i dcfibuiate iutentiun to shelve the reportMr Henderson denied this ; >f amendment were carried anybody icabriug up the matter at any time. ( Tne amendment was put with ue to** lowing remit : Aye 3 (3) : The Chairman, Mr !i son, Oapt Bailhe. , Noes (3) : Messrs Lambert, Parker at Uutcbesou. , r The Chairman gave Lis oaaiing vote w the amendment. , ..

It was resolved that a cop} of R. Committee’s report be sent to tin la*?*'

tor, requesting an explanation. ~ Mi Parker gave notice of motion tor ' consideration of the report ai me at meeting of the Board, asking tnat matter should take price fence. , , Captain Baillie thought it wouii

j r 6 ,\; a" to give c n-ider tion of the re- .,,,-» | r i i '1 ni'i*. Mr Parker said then it would be pir 0 !T from meeting to meeting i I t was resolved altogether. The matter th n in I’l" 'l- - MISTKESS A I'i i was receive ! from the Chair. nl ,ii o f the Hchcot Committee enclosing n ; \ of i icsolii ion asking the B<> rd to ( ~H for applications fora 11 a 1 Mistres*, 1,, Ii ve sole charge o f . ami respon&i 1 iiity |,r Ivor's Tiit; Cliaira an having titled lha‘ ns ~,, u i's of I,l l ii k.n 1 must he d alt with l, v notice, c insiileration or the conimit(„,,o ri commendat on was deferred, Mr [1 nderson giving notice for next meeting th t the committees rccmiimeudjlion he laki'ii into consideration then. Accounts— The following accounts mcm; passed for p.yment : —lnspector’s, Teachers, and Soar tary’s salary for Get ; li *; ccor’s travelling expenses I.H(j Ills, Unpi rs and Birloymm L 4 5 s Bd. Gird Rahone Ills (id, Iv.rll and M‘Kenzie llshl, I). Claik hit (is, Scholarship L2O, and K. Ji Ill'S LO3 15s. The I'oard then adjourned.