Untitled

New Zealand Herald, Volume XV, Issue 5173, 15 June 1878, Page 5

The members of the Auckland Troop of Cavalry Volunteers entitled to land orders caa have them by meeting Mr. H. Hardington at the Junction Hotel, on the evening of Wednesday next, at 7 p.m. The City Council gives notice to the owners and occupiers of property abutting on Chapelstreet, between Cook and Welleslystreets, to drain their respective properties into the main drain in course of construction. The notices of church services to be held tomorrow appear in another column.

EDUCATION BOARD. The ordinary fortnightly meeting was held yesterday,—Dr. Campbell in the chair. Present : Colonel Haultain, Messrs. May, Prime, Luckie, and Moat. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Report.—The report of the Executive Committee was brought up aud adopted. Public Teachers.—An advertisement by Mr. Brabazon, teacher of a Public School in Auck land City West, was brought under the notice of the Board. The advertisement notified the holding of special classes by Mr. Brabazon. The inspector had written a minute to the effect that the dislocation of ordinary school work was improper, and that Mr. Brabazon had no right to advertise his school. —The opinion of the members was unanimous that the proceeding was improper, and that Mr. Brabazon must have forgotten that he was a public teacher under the Board of Education, who were the administrators of public funds.—Mr. Moat moved, and Mr. May seconded, " That no special classes for the preparation of pupils for scholarships or other purposes, should be permitted in a public school during school hours, and that no master of a public school should be permitted to advertise in any way the day school of which he was in charge."—Carried unanimously.

School Books.—The Minister of Education had asked for a recommendation as to school books, including not only those already in use, but as to others not in general use. The inspector had prepared a list, which was laid on the table, which, it was ordered, should be forwarded to the head of the department. Public Library Subsidies. -The Secretary said that a resolution had been come to at a previous meeting, to grant £1 for £1 to such libraries as were entitled to participate within the meaning of the Act. There were some libraries which had been established during the present year, but as the grant was made applicable to libraries existing during the year 1877, the persons having charge of such libraries wer* asked to furnish information to the Board of the amounts of subscriptions collected in each case. The question arose whether the libraries established during the present year could participate. He had prepared a schedule of the libraries which would be entitled. It appeared to be the intention of the Legislature that the distribution of the fund would take place under the late Board. There was a provision in the former Act which gave the Education Board power to subsidise libraries. The following was the schedule of libraries entitled to participate : Auckland Institute, £95 ; Bombay, £9 ; Cambridge, £25; Hobsouville, £15; Hokianga (Herd's Point), £15; Howick, £2; Kaitaia, £4; Kiukapakapa, £9; ditto, Children's Library, £15 ; Kawakawa, £26; Kirktown, £9 ; Lake, £19 ; Mahurangi, £9; Mahurangi Heads, £6 ; Mangapai, £18 ; Matakana, £3 ; Matakohe, £4 ; Mauku, £6; Maungatawhiri, £10 ; Maungaturoto, £5; Newmarket, £24 ; Ngaruawahia, £9; Omaha, £3; Oruaiti, £2; Otahuhu, £3; Pakuranga, £6; Papakura, £16 ; Port Albert, £5 ; Pukekohe East, £G ; Tauranga M«chauics' lustitute, £103 ; Te Arai, £3 ; Te Awamutu, £10 ; Te Kopuru, £36 ; Titirangi, £5 ; Tokatea Institute, £24; Tologa Bay, £8; Wainui, £6 ; Waipu, £12; Wairoa South, £11 ; Waiuku Institute, £12; Whakatane, £15 ; Whangarei Institute, £20. He had also prepared a list of otker libraries as to which the question of their title to participate arose. This he laid on the table. With regard to the Auckland Mechanics' Institute, there wa3 a correspondence upon that subject. This particular case was for the consideration of the Buard.—The list was referred to the Executive Committee.

Mechanics' Institute.—The Secretary read a letter from tho Hon. Mr. Sheehaa, dated Auckland, June 10th, addressed to the Chairmau of the .Education Board, to the following etfact :—"Sir, —I have the honour to address you in reference to the cubjoct of the division of the moneys voted in aid of public libraries in tbis Provincial District. I understand that the amount to be allotted to, the Auckland Mechanics' Institute will not be paid, as it does not come within the description of public libraries for which the vote was passed. At the time the vote was passed, it was understood that assistance should be given to that institution. The hurry of business at tho close of the session caused the matter to be overlooked. I have the honour to request that you will pay the sum allotted. The Government will authorise your action in this behalf, and will hold you harmless. The difficulty will be removed by the Legislature in the next seesion of Parliament, if necessary,—l have, &c, John Sheer as." —The Secretary said tho amount allotted to the Mechanics"' Institute was £175. They also asked that £120 might be paid in cash, and the remainder in books.—Mr. Luckie : I move that the money be paid. lam aware that it is much needed by this institution. —The Secretary (iu reply to a question) said he had asked Mr. Sheehan whetker the guarantee would be applicable to other libraries in a similar position. Mr. Sheehan replied that he thought it would.—Mr. Luckie : I was in Wellington at the time "the money was voted, and I remember perfectly that it was understood tke Mechanics' Institute should participate in this fund.—Several members of tke Board were of opinion that the guarantee given by the Hon. Mr. Sheehan was sufficient to cover the whole difficulty. It was also stated that there was a book account of the Institute to which the fund would be applicable.—lt was resolved that the money should be distributed upon the basis already determined by the Board.

School Contingency Fund.—The Secretary brought up the report of the committee on this subject, which recommended thit 2s 6d per head be allowed for large schools, and 5s per head for small schools, the fund to be applicable to the cost of cleansing, fuel, watersupply, and other purposes'. It was, however, intimated by the Board that the arrangement was to be considered provisional for the present.

Holiday. —The Inspector recommended that the holidays should take place in the first week of July, and that the training classes should get two weeks' holiday.

Aratai*U. — A site had been offered by the Sash and Door Company, to which some ob jecticis existed. Another site was now recommended. —Referred to the Executive Committee.

Auckland West. —Leave of absence was granted to one of the female teachers, indisposed through overwork.

Daugaville.—The appointment of Mrs. Wal kins, as sewing mistress, was approved.

Drivixu Ckekk. -In this case the school was to be enlarged, but some extra gruund was wanted, which must be referred to tke Reserves Commissioners. —It was decided that the enlargement of the school might proceed.

Kaiuu. —A sum of £7 6s was granted for certain repairs.

Matakoue. —A sum of £10 was granted for repairs of building used as a school.

Mauku. —This was aa application for a third sckool. It was Btated that in the latter part of kst year 19 children of the district attended the Patumahoe school.—Deferred.

Waiohka. —This was a memorial for a school. —The matter was referred to the iuspector to report upon.

Mercurt Bat. —A sum of £150 for repairs was required.—The secretary was instructed to ask for further information.

Oi'AHUHU. —This was an application for a "lean-to."—Consideration of the subject deferred.

Panmure. —This was an application for fencing. It had been previously reported that the fencing required would cost £70. Mr. Allwright said thit the feucing necessary for the protection of the school-house might be done for £30, what was applied for would cost £78. —It was resolved that at present there were no funds available for this purpose.

Religious Instruction.—The chairman of the Panmure Committee also sent the following letter to the Board :—" Panmure, 6th June, 1878. Sir, —I have the honour to inform you that at a meeting of the local school committee, on the sth instant, a dispute arose, and i\e meeting agreed to submit the matter for the decision of the Central Board of Education. One of the ministers of religion in the district, wishing to impart religious instruction to the children of his flock, requests that the children might be allowed out of school before the regular hour for dismissal, one day in the week. Some members of the committee consider religious instruction should not interfere with the hours allotted to secular instruction. The decision of the Board will be anxiously awaited by the committee. — I have, &c, Geo. Edwd. Ireland.—Secretary of Board of Education."—The Board were unanimously of opinion that the Act left no option to the Board in the matter. There could be no such permission granted.

TauI'IRI. —A communication from this district announced that the compulsory clauses of the Act had been brought into operation.

Pukbkohe. —The district offered to subscribe £30 for another school.—lt was resolved there were no present funds available for the purpose.

Pukete (Waikato). —This was a memorial for. a school.—The memorial was referred to the District Committee.

Kakamka. —Application for half-time school, Ordered that the consideration of the application be deferred.

Whangarei.—Two tenders had been received for school building. Others might arrive by next steamer. —Opening of tenders deferred.

Whad.—-A letter was received from Mr. Bollard, asking to be furnished with a letter sent to the Board by Mr. Lusk, relative to arrears of interest, also a copy of a letter from Messrs. Russell and Devore. He had applied to the Secretary of the Board for copies, but that officer declined to famish them. —The Secretary said that he volunteered to give Mr. Bollard every information on the subject, but declined to allow him to copy any documents. — Colonel Haultain : I thought we had settled and got rid of this question.—Mr. May : They say that the neglect was not on their part, and if Mr. Lusk had retained the money in his hands for a long period after he received it, and should have paid it over, then he had no right charge this Board for interest in arrear. I

should like to hear what Mr. Bollard says. — The Secretary read from Bollard's letter :—" I have good reason to believe that there are certain facts which, in the interest of public education, should be laid before your Board, and _ you should instruct your secretary to furnish me with a copy of Mr. Lusk's letter, also of the letter of Messrs. Russell and Devore."—Mr. May : If we have been paying money _ upon false representations, it ia, only right that the question should be opened.—Mr. Luckie : Mr. Bollard represents the mortgagors. The mortgagees were the persons whose signatures were necessary. Where is the release? Has the Secretary got it?— Secretary : No.—Mr. Luckie : Then we ought to have it. That will shew when the money was paid. That release was part of the whole process. Where else is the evidence that the mortgage has been paid ? I say distinctly we ought to have a copy of that release.—The Secretary: If the mortgage was registered ?— Mr. Luckie : Whether registered or not, we ought to have it. We want proof of the payment of the money we paid. That release is the evidence, the proof of the payment; it is a vouclser of the Board. If we saw the release we w«uldknow how far the statement was correct. — The Chairman : Mr. Bollard says there were no impediments in the way of granting the title. Russell and Devore say there were. Mr. Luckie : It will be well to know what were the causes of the delay. I think it was a mistake that we paid the money. —Mr. May : I think so now; I did not think so then.—Colonel Haultain : I do not think we are called upon to furnish copies of these letters for the purpose of substantiating charges that may be brought against the Board. —Mr. Luckie : The deed itself was dated the 7th January, 1875. A month after the time the money was paid by this Board. The money was not paid by Mr. Lusk until May, 1878. — Mr. May : I shall move that the request be complied with.— Colonel Haultain : I think it a bad precedent, and will move an amendment, "That Mr. Bollard be allowed to see the correspondence."— Mr. Luckie : If you allow him to see it you can't prevent him from taking a copy.—Mr. May : I will second Colonel Haultain's amendment if he will add, "and to take copies."—Mr. Luckie : And I suggest that the release shall be procured. —Colonel Haultain accepted the additional words proposed by Mr. May, and his resolution was passed to the effect, "That Mr. BolWrd be allowed to see the letters, and to take copies of them."

Great Barrier.—A letter was received from Mr. Blackburn, who said he had paid Education rates for several years, yet there was no school on the island. He asked the Board whether they would give a grant of books for hone use. —Mr. Luckie : There is a number of families on that island who are very badly off in respect to the means of obtaining education for their children. These families were separated by long distances from each other.—The Inspector thought it would be a good thing if the request could be granted. It would be very desirable if arrangements could be made to have an itinerant teacher on the island. -The Secretary was instructed to obtain further information.

Training Classes.—A recommendation was made that admission should be given to those who wished to become teachers. The Board had agreed that none should be admitted except those in their employment. —The question arose as to lfhat security could be had from those who applied for admission that they would become teachers.—Mr. Luckie : The proposal might lead to abuse, and admit persons whom the master was bound te instruct to the prejudice of those who had a bona fide claim to his instruction.—The Inspector thought that, upon payment of an adequate fee, the experiment might be tried.

Am para.—This was an application for a school.—The consideration of the memorial was deferred.

Kourowhero.—This was a memorial for a school.—Deferred.

Nklson-.sthbet. — A grant was made for a gallery for the younger pupils. Extra Clerical Assistance.—A grant of £15 was voted for this work.

This concluded the business.