SECOND EDITION.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXIV, Issue 135, 11 June 1900, Page 3

SECOND EDITION.

EDUCATION BOARD,

♦ The monthly meeting was held this morning. Present — Messrs Seymour (Chairman), Baillie, Litchfield, Fell, Mills, Redwood, Parker, McCallum. Accounts were passed for payment. The monthly financial statement showed a credit balance of £1413. The finance, it was said, was slowly improving. GENERAL. Mr J. Duncan was elected the Board's representative on the Board of School Commissioners m place of Mr T. Carter, deceased. The architect reported on the improvements being carried out on theBorough School grounds. The architect's recommendation as to the heating of the Boys' classroom was adopted. The appointment by the Executive Committee of Mr Robert McCallum as teacher at Okaramio, vice Miss Brewer (appointed to Blenheim) was confirmed. The Blenheim Committee were granted hat-pegs for the Infant sohool. The same Committee recommended that the midwinter holidays extend from June 2?nd to July 9th. — Received. The Onamalutu Committee asked for a grant for the filling up of a big hollow on the school ground. — The Committee was authorised to do the

work, the Board's grant notto exceed £15. WORKS. The Works Committee reported the letting of a contract to Mr Marfell at the figure £25 10s, for the fillingup of the hollow around the Borough School residence. They also reported having received an urgent request from the Renwick Committee that an insanitary ground hollow under tne school be drained, and having ordered the improvement to be effected at a cost of £14 103.— The action of the Committee was approved. Capt. Baillie reported on the delapidated state of the Waitohi school. — Resolved that the architect visit the school and report. HOLIDAY REGULATIONS. The Executive Committee submitted a draft of regulations with regard to school holidays, andreoommended that before it be considered it be sent out to the School Committees for their approval or otherwise. TRUANOY. The Committee forwarded the Truant Officer's letter suggesting the extension of his jurisdiction over the Grovetown school so that his supervision of the Blenheim school might be complete. The Board agreed to the suggestion, appointing Mr Thomas Truant Officer for Grovetown, with an addition of £8 a year to his salary. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr Mills, that the Truant Officer be requested to send m a'monthly report to the Board. COMMITTEES. The Canvastown Committee wrote with regard to the planting of trees m the school grounds. Resolved to reply that the Committee had power to expend money m this direction, and that m the case of a grant for itself, the Board would have to be satisfied that the trees would be cared for. With respect to a request of the Cullensville Committee that the teacher be not allowed to let a portion of the school residence, the Secretary was instructed to point out that such action on part of the teacher would be contrary to the Board's regulations. A number of. small requirements were provided to the Cullensville school. A tender of £7 10a for the construotion of & eohool window was referred to tne Cullensvilla Commit* tee, with a request for an estimate of cost. The correspondent at Deep Greek forwarded the name of Mies Hay« ward, Tabaka (Nelson), with a request that her appointment as teacher be confirmed. — Complied with. A clock was granted to the Deep Greek Bohool. The appointment of Miss Winchester as teacher at Flaxboume was confirmed. Half-a-ton of coal was granted to the same school. The nomination of Mr J. Kennedy as a member of the Grovetown wag agreed to. Blackboard, ohrtlks, and maps were granted to Hopai Eohool. The resignation of Miss Rosalie Williams as teacher at Matlborougfctown was received. — The resignation was accepted, the Secretary to ooe« vey to Miss Williams the Board's appreciation of her cervices ; and it was resolved to take steps to fi 1 the vaoancy, PIOTON SCHOOL. The Picton Committeo wrote asking that the Board appoint a deputation to visit Picton, and make an independent investigation into school matters there. A lengthy discussion ensued. Mr Fell said it was asking a good deal of members to give up a day and go to Picton ; but the matter was a serious one. The Board could not close its eyes to the fact that the circumstances of the recent election of the School Committee proved the i existence of real dissatisfaction. He recommended the Board to v;sit [ Picton, and moved to that effect. Mr Mills pointed out that the Committee's letter was of a very vague character. It did not say definitely what the Committee wished the Board to enquire into. He suggested that the Committee (though of practically the same personnel as the Committee whose complaints were disposed of by the Board before the recent election) should formulate any complaints and charges, and send them to the proper quarters. Then, if necessary, aotion would be taken by the Board. He moved an amendment m that direction. Mr Litchfield agreed with the remarks of the previous speaker. He remarked that he, as a new member, knew very little of Picton school ft? • affairs. Mr McCallum said he would decline to act on a committee m this important matter. He thought the whole Board should make the investigation. Finally Mr Mills', amendment was carried.