BOARD OF EDUCATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XII, Issue 4409, 31 December 1875, Page 3

BOARD OF EDUCATION.

The ordinary fortnightly meeting of the Board of Education was held yesterday afternoon, in the office, Wyndham-street. Present : Dr. Campbell (in the chair), Colonel Haultain, and Messrs. Luckie and Prime. Minutes.—The minutes of tlie previous meeting were read and confirmed. Building Fund.—The following letter was read from the Colonial Secretary, in reference to this matter—" Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 20tk December, 1875.—Sir,—I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 18th ultimo, on the subject of the proposed expenditure of £20,000 for educational requirements in the Province of Auckland. In reply, I am directed by Dr. Pollen to inform you that the time for the abolition of the Provincial form of Government having been fixed as being the day next after the last day of the first session of the new Parliament, the Government did not obtain in the last session of the General Assembly the vote of £50,000 for school buildings which they proposed to ask. It is to be regretted, therefore, that the only assistance that can at present be given to the Auckland Board of Education must bo confined to the charge for teachers' salaries anil expenses, for which provision has been made in the Provincial Appropriation Extension Act, 1575.—1 have the lioror, &c., Aukelius M. Smith, Acting Under Secretary. To F. J. Moss, Esq., Secretary to the Board of Education, Auckland."—Mr. Luckie considered that this was a most important matter, and should be attended to. The health of the children suffered greatly for wd.nt of proper school accommodation.—Dr. Campbell said that this was clearly the case, for if they looked at the children's faces they would see they were like so much paste—not a drop of blood in them.—Mr. Luckie said it was a matter that demanded very earnest action. No matter how poverty-stricken they might appear, an effort should be made. He thought that the Government, whatever its opinions upon other matters might be, would approve of rapid action being taken in relation to this question. There was an absolute necessity for something to be done for the sake of the health of teachers and scholars, not to speak of the question of education.—Colonel Haultain said he saw the necessity of pressing the matter to the utmost.—Mr. F. L. Prime moved, seconded by Colonel Haultain, "That Mr. .Luckie and Dr. Campbell bo appointed a committee to draw up a statement shewing the entire deficiency of proper school buildings, and urging that steps be taken for their immediate provision."—Carried unanimously.

University Examination.—The following reply from the Chancellor, respecting the Grammar School students, was read :— " University of New Zealand, Christchurch, December 18, 1875. —Sir,—l have thehonour to acknowledge the rcceipt ef your letter, dated 10th instant, containing a copy of a resolution passed by the Board of Education, Auckland, with reference l-o certain students who were gazetted as ' having failed to pass,' and requesting that the Chancellor would state definitely the grounds for their having been so gazetted. I am instructed to reply that according to the old regulatiens xx,, clause 2:—'All students shall be required to pas 3 an examination in each year,' &c. (See page 42 of the calendar for 1875, first issue.) The Chancellor therefore assumed that all students who were under the obligations above cited intended to discharge them. Now, it appears, as he understands, that they intended to absent themselves from that examination ii contravention of the regulation. It would in this case have been perhaps more strictly correct to say (as although they had received due notice they eleeted to absent themselves) thai ' they had absented themselves, ' the effect of which is the same as' failing to pass.' The Chancellor had, however, ro means of knowing that they had intended to disregard the regulations. lam directed to recall to your notice the Chancellor's letter of the 10th of September, in which he entered more fully ioto the general subject of the undergraduate exrraination.—l have the honor, &c., F. AVjU.su, Pro-secrctary. To F. J. Moss, Esq., Cecretary to the Board of Education, Aucldand" Kaiwaka.—The appointment of Mr. Ncedhm as teacher, was approved. Holidays.—A memorial was read from certain teachers in the city schools, asking the Board to increase the holidays till tlie end of January. It was agreed to extend the holidays till the 24th January. Ghammae School.—The report of the Rev. S. Edger [on the classes examined by him was read and laid upon the table. A letter was also read from Mr. Mcßae, recommending the provision of standard class books.as prizes for the matriculated students at the Grammar School. This course was sanctioned, the books to be approved by the Scholarships Committee. Mano/ wai.—A letter was read, protesting; against the proposed removal of the Hakaru school. The subject was referred to the School Committee. Onehukga.—The appointment of Miss Bissett as junior assistant to the girls' school was approved. Corohan del. —Asking for £500 to be expended in building schools and schoolmaster's residence. Deferred till in possession of the building fund. Destitute Home Committee. —An appl : - catim was made by the above committee to placo their school in connection with the above institution under the Beard. It was resolved that the application be referred to the School Committee of City West No. 2, with the recommendation that they should take over the school as one of the common schools of the district. "VVangakei.—Asking an additional building grant of £16. The secretary was instructed to inform the committee that the Board can make no new building grants till in possession of funds for the purpose. Provincial Scholarships. —The reports of the Rev. E. S. Hassard and Mr. Sloman, the examiners, were read, and a scholarship awarded to A. Stevenson, as the successful candidate. The lad is a pupil of the Rev. Peter Mason.