EDUCATION BOARD.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXIX, Issue 226, 24 September 1895, Page 2

EDU CATION BOARD.

The ordinary meeting of tho Education Board was held to-day. Present, Messra Talbot (chairman), Colvin, Look, Mnginnity, Phillips, Hursthonso, Best, and Major Franklyn. Stanley Brook. A report was presented regarding the state of this school building. No recommendation was made regarding the buildint; itself, but new desks were wanted. Regarding the propossd new school up the valley, no reoommendation was made by the Committee. The Board adopted the report, granted 10 new desks and thanked the Committee for its inquiries. Inspector's Report. Chief Inspeotor Harkness reported on the schools in the Collingwood district; the country schools were favourably mentioned. Mr Mttginnity moved that a copy of the Inspector's report he forwarded to the Collingwood School Committee and that the Committee be requested to call the particular attention of the teacher to the remarks of the Inspector regarding the instruction of arithmetic. Carried.

Uncertiftcated Teachers.

Some discussion took place respecting unoertifioated head teachers in the course of which Mr Hursthouse pointed out that there wore very many small sohools in the Nelson Education district with salaries from £30 to £50.

Major Franklyn and Mr Phillips spoke on the necessity of teaohers being certificated, Griffith's Mill

Mr Colvin reported recommending that the Board acquire a site for a school building at Griffith's Mill.

On the motion of Mr Hursthouse it was resolved that the Secretary apply to the Government for the two acres of land recommended.

It was resolved to pass for payment an account for desk's used at Griffith's Mill. Secretary's Report. The Secretary read his usual report. Finances. Mr Maginnity (treasurer) placed on the table the following statement of the Board's finances. Building Account. Cr £ S. d. By Balance in Union Bank of Australia, Limited . . 768 11 3 Loss Unpresented Cheques . . 26 0 0 £742 11 3 General Account. Gr £ s. d, By Balance in Union Bank of Australia, Ltd., inclusive of Fixed Deposit matured, £500 and interest thereon, £5.--, 920 17 10 „ Capitation allowanoa for September advised but not yet paid 1662 16 3 2483 14 1 Less Unpreaented Cheques.. 35 3 10 £2448 10 3 An explanatory note accompanying the statement showed that out of Building account the sum of £911 had been authorised ; out of General account the sum of £428 5s was due to Government, being receipts from School Commissioners, and the payments of the day, being salaries, &c. amounting to £1463 178 2d, making £1892 2s 2d. The sum of £83 Bs, scholarship refunds due by Government, would shortly be received, when the balance would stand thus—

£2448 10 3 Less payments as above . . 1892 2 2 556 8 1 Add amount of refunds due by Government .. „ 83 8 0 Balance to credit . . £639 1G 1 The Chairman said it seemed that what surplus the Board bad was getting less and less.

Api>licatio7is for leacherships. It was decided to submit the following applications for appointments to the local School Committee concerned : Pakawau Teachership, Miss A. Benke and Mrs Jennings. There were two other applications. Upper Moutere, A lot of correspondence was read in connection with school matters at Sarau school, and the physical capabilities of the schoolmaster there. Mr Robinson wrote stating that he nad received much benefit under medical advice.

It was decided to accept Mr Robinson'H resignation as from the end of March, and to recommend the Committee to accepr, the voluntary services of Miss Kobinsou to assist in the school.

"Crushmff an Inquiry?" Major Franklyn asked the Board by what authority the Secretary had written to Miss Keuyon informing her that her services would be dispensed with unless the school attendance improved. He asserted that it was not within the province of the Secretary to give such notice without bringing the matter under the notice of the Board.

The Secretary said he had done it with the intention of carrying out the Board's by-laws. Ho had no reeling in the matter beyond carrying out the Board's instructions.

Major Franklyn then asked why the Doveaale School Commmittee had not been informed that such a letter had been sent. He considered the notice given illegal. The Secretary said that it had been an omission on hjs part that he had not so advised the Committee. It had been his intention to do so,

Mr Kenyon, who waited on the Board, said the Secretary might similarly give notice to a headteacher, and the result would bo tho closing of a school without any reference to the local Committee. Sir Hurst house considered the Secretary had acted lightly in giving Miss Kenyon the notice under the Board's instruction. He pointed out that this only applied to the case of probationers. Mr Phillips took a similar view. Mr Maglnnity ugveed that it would save friction if, in such cases, the Board were first referred tq.

Major Franklyn asked further " Was it the usual custom of the Board to dispense with teachers services' without consulting the Committee ?

Mr Hursthouse submitted as a point of order that Major Franklyn must give notice of his intention to ask such a series of prepared questions. Mr Colvin said the Secretary had admitted having made a mistake in so far as he had not advised the Committee.

Major Franklyn asserted that the Board wanted to crush an inquiry into a grievance. The Chairman asked Major Franklyn to withdraw this. He iuled that notice must be given by Major Franklyn. Mnjor Franklyn then submitted to the Chairman's ruling, and gave notice that he would ask the questions at next Board meeting. Other questions by Major Franklyn were briefly as to whether the Board had given tho Secretary any speoial authority to send notice of dismissal to a teacher without such authority beinn recorded in the minutes; could any official of the Board give information relative to removal of school furniture from Dovedale schoolroom withont permission of tho Committee i that the Board paid for ov is the Board still liable for oost of removal of such furniture ! would the seoretary explain why certain ollieial correspondence from the Dovedale Committee to the Board re custody of school fnrniture was not submitted 'to the Board, and why the Secretary replied to bucli communication apparently at his own discretion '! Other Grievances. Mr Kenyon then complained that tho Inspector had made Hying visits to the Dovedale School and had taken furniture therefrom without reference to the Committee, He went on to say that the school was very inadequately furnished, especially with desks. Mr Maginnity said that the matter complained of appeared to be of long standing. Mr Kenyon said that was not the Cominitteo'a fault as they had writton to the Board about it,

Retention of Services. Major Franklyn moved that Miss Kenyon's services be retained for the present, and that tho matter be brought up again at the December maeting of the Board,

This was carried. Lower Wakefleld. This Committee urged that the Lower Wakefied Boys' and Girls' Schools should not he almalgamated.

Major Franklyn strongly supported the Committee.

Mr Maginnity asked how that would affect the policy of economy. Mr Hursthouse said that there was a great waste of teaching power as thinga existed in suoh schools at present. Mr Lock moved as an amendment that t'io matter stand over for the present to further consider it.

Mr Maginnity said that the amalgamation of schools had worked with rnarvelloiH success, especially in Wellington. The girls had their separate playgrounds. Amalgamation had proved more economical, and more efficient instruction was given

Mr Lock's amendment was then put and declared carried on the voices.

Major Franklyn called for a division and tbis being taken he was the only member to vote against the amendment On its being declared oarrled Major Franklyn remarked that there were only two members of the Board favourable to sobool Committees.

Mr Maginnity and Mr Look took exception to this remark as casting an aspersion on members.

The chairman asked Major Franklyn to refrain from such observations.

Major Franklyn said he had always obeyed the chair. Little Orei/.

On the motion of Mr M&ginnity it was resolved that the question of appointing a new teacher be considered after the examination.

Appointments.

Miss Steven was appointed probationer at Burnett's face, Miss M. Brereton to teachershi p at Woodstock, and Mra Williams to Karamea.

Major Franklyn moved that the Board advertise for a successor to Mrs Williams at Bockville the salary to be as per scale for the first quarter and £72 per annum afterwards.

Mr Hursthouse doubted whether a sohool was necessary at Eoekville. There were only eight children. Tbe ohairman said that the Board would havo to do something in the way of amalgamation as their schools were increasing and entailing greater expenses. Major Franklyn's motion was loat, Legal Opinions.

The Motupiko School Committee forwarded a bill of costs amounting to £15 6s 9d expenses incurred in connection with the recent action taken by the Commiatfie against the parents of children who had not obtained exemption certificates for their children.

Mr Lock thought; the Committee had no claim on the Board for such expenses. To grtfttt the payment would establish a dangerous precedent, besides which he believed the Committee had money, at least there was no evidence to the contrary.. Mr Phillips admitted that the Committee had taken the action in a just cause, but fea>ed to establish a dangerous precedent. Mr Maginnity said that the Board had really landed the Committee in the costs by its action in granting examption certificates to the parties, who, when Interviewing the Board at its last meeting, actually had the Committee's summonses in their pockets. Mr Hursthouse expressed himself as surprised that the Board had granted the exemption certificates, though he did not blame the Board for any action decided upon in his absence. Mr Colvin was also astonished, especially at Mr Lock's action in granting exemption certificates and then opposing the payment of the Committees ex-

penses. * Major Franklyn said the Board had brought the Committee into " this meas." He moved that the amount be paid. Mr Lock in reply said exemption certificates conld not have been refused in the end. He pointed out that the school affected was a private one, and the Committee had incurred nearly all the expense before it ever came to the Board. Mr Colvin epoke strongly on the Board having grantad the exemption certificates —the Board had made a great mistake in interfering a second time. The motion that accounts be paid was then put and carried. Inspectors' Reports.

Mr Lock moved pursuant to notice that the Board rescind its resolution by which it decided not to publish Inspectors' reports in future. In doing so he said that the matter had not received the consideration which it demarded. He had received letters from eight) different school committees giving their reasons why the report should be published as in the past. The Town Schools Committee had also expressed a decided opinion in favour of the publication of the reports. Mr Look himself argued that the patents of chil dren were entitled to the fullest publicity and the information given would be an incentive to improvement in the teaching at the schools. He did not attach much importance to the fact that it was not the practice in other parts to publish such reports and he urged that Nelson should lead the van in this as it had done in other Educational matters.

Mr Hursthouso said lie had received a communication from the Wai-iti School Committee expressing regret at the Board's decision. He himself thought that the few Committees which had taken this course had misunderstood the true position. He opposed the publication of such reports, as, to his knowledge, it created a morbid taste and jealousy. He knew of no good resulting by the practice —but evil. Mr Phillips thought the only publicity given to the reports might be at the time of the annual meeting of householders

Mr Best said the detailed report need not bo published. Inspector Harkness pointed out that this was what the Board had decided, namely, to publish the general report without giving details. Mr Coivin thought a general report amply sufficient. He opposed the motion.

Major Franklyn said he had consistently supported the publication of the reports, but the Boara apparently " impregnated with new fangled notions of the new Inspectors" had decided otherwise. He regarded the decision of the Board to cease publication of the report a retrograde step as this was an age of publicity. Mr Maginnity said the matter had already been thoroughly thrashed out. It was no argument to say that the practice had boen long continued. The Board in the interests of the people had decided not to continue the practice which created an idle curiosity in people ■■who wanted to see how much wor-e their neighbours were, It was " bunkum" to talk of the injustice done by not publishing the reports. Mr Lock replied, stating that no reasons had been advanced why the reports should not be|published— simply becausetheopponents to his motion had no case. The motion was then put and lost, only Mr Lock and Major Franklyn voting for it. Mr Lock: Well, th:.t finishes It Mr Hursthouse : It was finished before. This has been a sheer waste of timeThe Board thon adjourned till 2 p.m. < ruant Officer. Mr King, recommended by the local Committee at Pangatotara, was appointed Truant Oflicer. Accounts. Accounts were considered and passed. Miscellaneous. A grant of £2 was made to the Appleby Committee for pauering purposes. Major Franklyn weed the necessity for a sehoolhon.se at Hope. It was resolved thnfc the application be one of the first for consideration under the next allocation for expenditure. The question of a new chimney forMotupipi was referred to the Inspectors. It was decided to pay Mr Eves on the average attendance of the present quarter. An appliontion for a wood shed at Baton was not entertained.

A bonus of £10was granted to Mr Austin, of Roofton, who had taken temporary oharge of the sohool.

Major Franklyn and Mr Colvin supported an application for an enlargement of the teaoher's house at Keefton.

The application was acoeded to, the cost not to exceed £100, and the work to be tendered for.

John Craig contractor for tho Granity Creek Sohool was allowed a fortnight's extension of time.

A tender for cohool fenoing at Waitahu was submitted, but its Board considered the price too high and deoided to inform the Committee that the Boavd adherod to the grant already made for the work.