AVANGANUI EDUCATION BOARD.

Manawatu Herald, 27 September 1878, Page 2

AVANGANUI EDUCATION BOARD.

(by our special REPORTER.) i The usual monthly meetimg of the Wanganui Education Board was held at the Board room, Taupo Quay, Wanganui, on Wednesday last. Present— -Mr W. Watt (chairman), Rev Mr Ross, Messrs Sanson, Dalrymple, Peake, Duthie, and Jones. Tho miuutes were read aud confirmed. NOTICES. A discussion took place as to [ whether sufficient notice had been given by Mr Duthie of a motion he intended to bring on; he having forwarded his "notice of motion" to the Secretary after last meeting. No resolution was arrived at. CORKESrONDENCE. The inward correspondence was very voluminous, consisting of over fifty letters, many of them of almost interminable length. Several occupied fiv-i aud six closely^written sides of foolscap. Included in the correspondence was a letter from Mr Hislop, Secretary of the Education Department, re the Inspector's salary ; also, stating that the Government would recognise no Bunk overdraft for any amount exceeding the vote for building pur. poses, and declining to allow £500 as a special grant. Mr. 11. D. Macarthur, of Feilding, I forwarded a map to the Board of the site proposed to be reserved by the Corporation for the schoolmaster's residence. Mr. Scott, Chairman of the Hal combe School, forwarded several accounts for payment. The Chairman of the Kaitoke School wrote, protesting against the frequent and unnecessary removal of teachers. Major Noake, Chairman of the Mataiawa School, wrote very strongly upon the same subject, and claiming under the Education Act, the right of consultation before the appointment or removal of teachers. Mr Moor, of the Thames, applied for appointment as Head Teacher of tho Wanganui School, should a vacancy occur. Several letters were read, regarding teachers' salaries. The Chairman of the Bulls Committee wrote, explaining that the teachers were uuable to teach military drill to the scholars, and suggesting Ihat drill instructors should be appointed by the Board. The other correspondence was of no genoral interest. MOTOA SCHOOL. Mr Walker, Chairman, wrote, stating that Mr Haslitt had been ap-. pointed teacher, and that he had been compelled to pay several sums of money himself which were owing when he took office. GOVERNMENT GRANT. A letter having been read from the Department of Education, refusing the grant of £500 asked for, Mr Sanson said the Secretary's letter had probably not been sufficiently explicit in setting forth the needs of the Bo ird. He moved the appointment of a Committee to draw up a respectful letter to the Government, pointing out the exceptional circumstances of the Wanganui Edus cational District, with regard to the teachers' salaries, building fund, and Bank overdraft, and requesting a special grant of £500. Mr Dalrytnple seconded the motion, which was carried. I FOXTON SCHOOL. A letter was read from Mr Flower, Chairman, stating that owing to the limited accommodation, and consequent ill-health of several scholars, the Public Hall had been engaged till Christmas, at 30s per week ; also, that the Committee " absolutely declined " to make any further i alteration in the plana for the proposed alterations to the school. A telegram, dated the 23rd instant, was also read, stating that fie plans had just been received, and could not be returned for the meeting of the Board. An account for £28 for school furniture was also presented. Mr Foulis, Inspector, assured the Board, that the plans had been posted on Saturday, at 11 a.m. The architect had himself put them in the Post Office. He had visited the district with the architect, and the only alterations made had been to give more light, more ventilation, and to retain the same accommodation, l'he Committee had fallen in with tho wishos of tho Board, when he visited them. Mr D'*L-ymple said the letter was too dictatorial. The Board had de.

sired to moot the wishes of tho Com- , mittoo, but tlio latter had sent up I plain for £150, whon only £300 had j been voted. Two sittings ago, the ( altered plans represented £400, and he had mot a member of the Cora mittee who said if the Committee could have £350, and a promise of t another £50 next year, thoy would c do it. This the Board could not i promise. Seeing the dictatorial i action of the Committee, and tho re. fusal of the Government grant, he i proposed that the matter be post-,c poned till next meeting, when the j plans would be ready. i Mr Ross— Could not the Building | £ Committee arrange the matter ? ' Mr Dalrymple said they might. Personally, he objected strongly to ( the tone of the letter, as the Board ( had tried in overy way to meet the , Committee. The Chairman agreed the letter , was too dictatorial, but thought the . Board should meet rather than check them. The Committee at j Foxton was a very useful body. He had seen the architect, and found • that all possible had been done to ( smooth the difficulties. H6 thought if the price under the new plans was anything near the amount, the Board should at once do the work. Mr Duthie said the Board must | stand to tho architect's plans, and even if the cost were more, the work must be done. It was a pity such letters were written, as they were merely the outcome of a personal feeling. The Chairman thought the Public nail was a good place for the School, but as it was let for other purposes in the evenings, the price should not be so high. Mr Duthie thought that the rent wa3 a fair one ; and also that the claim for school furniture was reasonable. The Inspector remarked that the furniture was included in the vote which had been made. Mr Ross said the Committee should havo consulted the Board before either renting the Hall, or incurring the furniture account. The Chairman said the Committeo worked very hard for the school, and were a very intelligent body of men. They should be encouraged. Mr Duthie said tho Committee would feel much aggrieved, if the Board replied to the letter in the same tone. At the same time thoy had strong claims for consideration, as the Foxton School was taught at a smaller co3t than auy other iv the District. Mr Dalrymple said, that including the Motoa School, the Board lost money by Foxton. He moved " that the matter of the Foxton building be referred to the Building Committee, with power to act." Seconded by Mr Eoss and carried. Mr Sanson said the Foxton School was a highly efficient one, and moved — "That the money for furniture be paid ; also that tho rent of the Public Uall be paid whon due ; but that the Committee be advised not to act again, without first consulting the Hoard." Seconded by Mr Eoss and earriod. The Inspector said the money for the furniture had been well spent. The Foxton School was now the best provided in the district. [We are compelled to hold over the remainder of our report until next issue.]