AUCKLAND COLLEGE AND GRAMMAR SCHOOL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6213, 15 October 1881, Page 5

AUCKLAND COLLEGE AND GRAMMAR SCHOOL.

The adjourned meeting of the Board of Governors of the Auckland College and Grammar School was held yesterday forenoon in the Post-office Buildings. Present: Sir G. M. O'Rorke (in the chair), Colonel Haultain, Mr. Fenton, His Worship the Mayor, Rev. C. M. Nelson, Mr. Tole, and Mr. Peacock. Mr. Sloman, the acting head-master, was in attendance. The rr-inutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. The Classes in tiieSchool.—Mr. Sloman, in reply to Colonel Haultain, gave the approximate numbers of the classes in the day school as follow : —lst class, 17 ; 2nd class, 22 : 3rd class, from 18 to 20; 4th class, IS ; sth class, 20 ; higher classes, 23 to 30, 14 and 9. The total number of 1 scholars was 162. There 7 masters. He himself took a class when the French master was absent. Evexi-io Classes.—The discussion on this subject, postponed from the last meeting, was resumed. —Colonel Haultain, and the committee appointed for that purpose, had seen the acting head-master, Mr. Sloinan, in regard to Mr. Robertson's application, and as to whether it was desirable to divide the evening classes between Mr. Nicholls and Mr. Robertson. Mr. Sloman informed them that he understood from Mr. Nicholls that he did not suppose he was to take all the evening classes, so they had suggested to Mr. Slomau that he should come to the Board to give his ideas of tho best way of carrying on the evening classes. — Mr. Sloman said the great objection was to having a number of masters absent from the day school, in order that they might attend the evening classes. It would be better that one teacher should be appointed to this duty, but the circumstances of the case might be met by accepting the proposition of Mr. Robertson, who, he understood, proposed to take the ordinary day work and two evening classes, in addition to his tuition hours, 25 hours per week. That would do away with the objection of taking a master away from the day school. Mr. Nicholls objected to taking the whole of the evening classe as he would be withdrawn from social life, bnt if he would accept the terms as proposed by Mr. Robertson, and take two classes, the work could be met. Mr. Nicholls was prepared to do the full day's work in school, and take two evening classes. —Colonel Haultain said that, by accepting that proposition, the Board would abandon the position they had taken up, that the evening classes were part of the sohool work, for which all tho masters when called on should be available.—Mr. Clark said even so, if they receded from that position, it was not because of any pressure from the masters, but because of the difficulty arising from having masters absent from the day-school, or carrying on the work of the day- school with some of the masters absent.—Colonel Haultain said the boys were not always with one master. They were shifted about from master to master, according to the subjects they were at—classics, mathematics, or English—so that the difficulty was not so great. He understood Mr. Feuton's idea was that the boys should not be always under a master, but should have some portion of the day by themselves to learn their lessons. He thought their best plan would be to adopt Mr. Peacock's motion, and make no fresh arrangements until the arrival of the new head-master.—Mr. Peacock asked Mr. Sloman for his professional opinion as as to whether it would be desirable to make any fresh arrangements till the arrival of the new head-master. —Mr. Sloman said he saw no objection to going on as they had been doing till the new head-master had an opportunity to report.—Mr. Nelson said the terms of the trust were plain that the evening classes were part of the work of the school, and the difficulty must be met either now or hereafter.—Mr. Feu ton said they had been going in the wrong groove fer some time. The very term eveningclasseswas a misnomer, and calculated to mislead. It was a false phrase. The terms of the constitution were that the school must be kept open. Could not Mr. Sloman carry on the present arrangement or any other.— After some further conversation, Mr. Peacock's motion, proposed at the previous meeting, was put and carried, as follows: "That the Board, while it has affirmed the principle that evening classes are part of the work of the school, considers it undesirable to make permanent arrangements until the arrival of the head-master ; that the masters be arranged with temporarily on the previous system until that time, on the understanding that permanent arrangements will then be made." Propf.rty Committee. — Mr. Peacock brought up the report of this committee. Mr. Tole and himself, accompanied by the secretary and architect, had visited the properties the leases of which were now falling in in Parnell and elsewhere. They thought it desirable that most of them should be offered by auction for seven years, and nad fixed reserves. If these reserves were not reached, the Board could then repair, and let the houses. By the end of the seven years the houses would be worn out, and could be removed to give place to a better class of buildings. They recommended that the Exchange Hotel be put up now, so that the present occupier might have an opportunity of purchasing. Of course, after the preseut term wa3 expired, and a building lease granted, the Board would only receive ground rent instead of rent for the building, as at present.—Mr. Tole had raised the point whether Parnell, being a municipality, the Board might not lease this aud other properties for 60 years instead of 21 years.—Mr. Fenton said he did not see that the Board ought to raise that question. That was one for the purchaser. If he was dissatisfied with his title let the Board put it up for 66 years.—The committe'e recommended that some houses should be placed in an agent's hands to let until other properties fell in next August.— Finally, on the suggestion of Mr. Fenton. the whole question was postponed until next Tuesday. School Fees.—Colonel Haultain, in accordance with notice, moved, " That after the present term the tuition fee for students of the upper school shall be £9 per annum, and £8 for the lower school; and that, should there be two or more brothers attending the school, they shall each pay £8 per annum."—Mr. Peacock said already come to a decision on which would not take effect until next term, fixing the terms for the upper school at £10 or £'J each for two boya of one family, or £8 Ss for three boys of one family. He thought it undesirable that the Board should frequently alter their resolutions. It wouldshow a fickleness on their parts.—Mr. Clark opposed the proposition of Colonel Haultaiu, and supported the resolution as it stood on the books. He thought £10 a very reasonable fee for what actually cost £25 or £26, aud he did not think the reduction of the fees would increase the attendance, although it would decrease their revenue. —The Chairman and several other speakers opposed the proposed reduction, and the motion was withdrawn.

BoAßDis'o-noo.SE. —Mr. Fenton, in accordance with notice, moved, "That a board-ing-house, to accommodate fifty boys, be at once erected at the south-west corner of the Grammar School site, and that plans be invited from architects."—The Chairman said he was rather staggered at Mr. Fenton's proposition to put up a boarding-house on such a small space. They could not look on the Government-house paddock as a permanent playground. He thought perhaps the Board might have adopted the Ellerslie site. — Colonel Haultain said he would support the motion to have the boarding house close to the school. It should be the nuclaus of the school and give it egpril da corps. —Mr. Nelson suggested that it be referred to the architect to report what sort of house could be put up on the site, and its cost before determining to build.—Mr. Fenton said his proposal was invite designs from all architects. — Mr. Clark said they had gone into the matter 12 months ago and decided on erecting a boarding-house. —Mr. Nelson said the only question was, could they put such a boarding-house as they required on this site.—Mr. Feiiton said there was ample room.—Mr. Peacock thought it desirable to have the advice of the architect. —Mr. Clark said if they found they could not put up a suitable house, although thuy passed the resolution they need not go on with it. They had frequently altered their resolutions, but he considered there was ample room.—Mr. Peacock sympathised with the idea of having the boarding - house next the school. —Ou the suggestion of some of the members Mr. Fenton substituted the word "forty " for "fifty" in the resolution, and in thi3 form it was carried.

New Member. —On the motion of Mr. Tole, seconded by Mr. Peacock, Mr. Mackechnie was elected a member of the Board of Governors iu the room of Mr. E. Hesketh, resigned. QuoROU. —In the absenco of Mr. Dargaville, Colonel Haultain moved the resolution standing in his name as follows: —"That the standing order No. 3 be altered from five I members to three members to form a

quorum."—The Chairman coincided with the proposed alteration, but Mr.-Peacock considered as there were ten members on the Board the quorum should bear some proportion to that number.—Mr. Clark pointed out the difficulty they were under during the session of Parliament when so many members were absent. —Mr. Tole moved, " That the debate be adjourned to this day four months." —This was negatived by 4 to 3, and the motion was then put and lost by a majority of 4 to 3. Account. — Mr. McLean's account for fencing was passed for payment.