EDUCATION BOARD,

Marlborough Express, Volume XI, Issue 877, 20 December 1876, Page 7

EDUCATION BOARD,

A meeting of the aliove Board was held at the Lifcprary Institute on Saturday last. There were present, Messrs Seymour (m the chair) John T. Robinson, Paul, Ward, Hodson, and the Hon. Captain Baillie. The minutes of the previous meeting were confirmed. chairman's statement. The Chairman said he had opened an account with the Bank of New Zealand for the Education Board. The old Picton Board had paid into that account the sum of £90 Is lOd, and the ffavelock Board Ll3 2a 4d. He had been informed by the Manager of the Bank that two of the accounts were slightly overdrawn, the Blenheim Board to the extent of 8a 3d, and t the Spring Creek Board to the

amount of Ll6 3s 4d. He (the chairman) Siad thought it better to give a cheque for the total amount so a3 to start with a clean sheet.

Mr Robinson explained that owing to a cloneal error the account of the Blenheim 80.-iivi was ma-le to appear as if it were overdrawn, while m reality it had a small credit balance. The Chairman stated that he had obtained LBOO from the General Government, wherewith to carry on Education for the present. KEEERANGU. A report was received to the effect that the schoolhonse at this place required to be newly roofed with iron and that some other slight repairs were required. It appeared that the land tin which the building stood belonged to Messrs InT. Edwards & Co., and after ordering the n> cesaary repairs to be done.it was decided that the Chairman should communicate with. Messrs N. Edwards & Co., with the view of ascertaining whether the title could not be handed over to the Board. , . KAIKOURA. It was resolved that the Chairman request the Local School Committee to obtain estimates and plans for schools buildings at Kaikonra, to be submitted to the Board at its next meeting. PIG'TON. It was estimated that the Schoolhouse at this place required painting at si cost of L2O, a new porch to cost L 5, and a stove to cost 30s. It was resolved thab the stove and the porch should be provided, and that the question of painting stand over for further consideration. It was also resolved that the schoolhouse m Kent-street should be painted. WAITOHI. The Board agreed to effect certain slight repairs at this schoolhouse, the cost not to exceed LS 10s. HAVELOCK. Resolved that the Teacher's residence and Schoolroom at this place should be painted and shingled. The question of increasing the accommodation was deferred. KArrrxA. Resolved that the schoolroom at Kaituua should be painted and lined, and that a porch should be erected. BERWICK-TOWN. Resolved that the teacher's residence m connection with this school should be painted, and that the roof and windows of . the schoolhouse should be repaired. TUA MARINA. The schoolhouse at Tua r Marina being m an exposed position it was resolved that ail estimate should be obtained of the cost of removing it to the Education Reserve, a short distance M off. MARLBOROUGH TOWN. The repairing of this schoolhouse was postponed, but the matter ■will be considered at the next meeting. GROVE TOWN. Resolved that the f schoolhouse should "'be painted and otherwise repaired, and that the dwelling of the teacher be repaired. SPRING CREEK. Resolved that the schoolhouse should be repaired and paiuted, and the Teacher's residence shingled. It was also decided to fence m the section on ■which the school stands. ANNUAL INSPECTION. The Chairman said that on all sides the facb t'jat the inspection was not to take place till after Christmas seemed to he creating great dissatisfaction, aud knowing this he had telegraphed to Mr Lee asking him to come over before Christmas, and Mr Lee had replied to the effect that, "as per agreement " with Mr Seymour he would hold the examination at the be>gining of the new year. On one occasion Mr Lee asked him (the Chairmau) at Wellington whether he could hold the examination after Christmas, and he replied that he did not know, but that he would let him know whether that arrangement would do. When he came to Blenheim he found that snch an arrangement would not do, but he did nob write on the subject to Mr Lee, who now seemed to think that an agreement had been made. Mr Lee had always examined the Marlborough schools m his holiday time, and he could not say what prevented him from doing the same thing this year. He promised to come m January, but thab was an incom »aient time.

The Hon. Captain Baillie thought that an inspection after Christmas would not be of the slightest use.

Tha Chairman pointed oat that most of the superior scholars might not reburn to school after tho holidays, and that, therefore, there would only be the backward pupils to examine. After a short discussion as to the advisability of obtaining the services of another man — say the Nelson Inspector — it was resolved "That it is inexpedient to have the school inspection m the mouth of January, and that the Chairman communicate with Mr Lee to know whether he can inspect after 31st March next." BLENHEIM. It was reported that the Blenheim Boys' School house required repairing and ventilating, ami also that the teacher's residence should be enlarged. The Board resolved that the residence should be enlarged, and that the schoolhouse should be properly ventilated ; the question of repairs to the lattor place bomg allowed to stand over. The board then adjourned.