BOARD OF EDUCATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 6996, 19 April 1884, Page 6

BOARD OF EDUCATION.

Tae regular meeting of the Board was held peaterday. Present: Mr. R. Hobbs (Chairman), Mr. Luke, Mr. D. Goldie, Mr. Carr, Mr, McKenzie, Mr. Moss, and Mr, Cooper.— The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. Chairman's Repobt.—The report of the Chairman as to arrangements made sines last meeting as authorised by the Boardßank : accounts : The banking accounts were submitted.—Mr. Hislop. wrote acknowledging receipt of returns at early date, and complimenting the Board. THB BOAED's nKAXCIAL POSITION : BE--StT3AX. 0J THB BASK TO GRANT AN OVZRDBAPT. • In reference to the financial position of the . Board, and the application of the Board for an overdraft the following correspondence wassubmitted:— • Board of Education, 3rd April. 1881-—The Manager Bank of Hew Zealand, Anckl»nd.-Sir,—With reference to morions correspondence on the subject of the Hoard's account with your bank, I am directed to stata.t&at the Board desires, to obtain an overdraft not exceeding £6000 for the twelve months ending 31st 1885. The ipedal grant for buildings Toted bj Parliament for the financial year ended; Af-i-oV 1884, and paid over to the Board on February 29th ultimo, was £8632. The Board expects to receive a similar grant for the current flnandtl year; bat, as tiie money has to be raised by loan, it will pro-' btbly sot be available until February, 1835, and for this reason the Board wishes the overdraft to be extended until March," 1885. In conieqnence of the pay. meat of teachers' talaries on the Bth of every month, sffld the non arrival of monthly remittances from the Treasury at Wellington before the end of the month, a temporary overdraft of about £4000 is created and covered In the course of each month. The Board desires that this accommodation may be continued. The money placed at the Board's disposal for building parposes was formerly about £15,000 a year. Last year It was only £9682. In consequence of this redaction, tlie Board has reduced its expenditure on bnildings, and at the present date the liabilities on buildings account amount to £3401 10s lOd over and above fnnds in hand, and excluding the special funds of £1000 aad £500 respectively placed on fixed deposit, and applicable to special objects only.—l have, &c., VntcKHT E. Bice, Secretary. Bank of New Zealand, Auckland, Bth April. The Secretary Board of Education. Auckland.—Sir, — I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 3rd April, applying for an overdraft not exceeding £6000. for the twelve months ending 31st March, 1885. Id reply, lam instructed to inform yon that the bank cannot accede to your request until an appropriation is made by the Government to meet snch advance. —I have, &C;, (signed) G. S. Kibsusg, Manager. Auckland, Bth April, 1834. To the' Hon. Major Atkinson, Colonial Treasurer, Hawera,—Press report of yonr speech lait night says-—" Amount set apart for school bnildings out of last three million loan was exhausted," and that you did not think the House " would borrow more money for such a purpose." Beport has had effect of causing bank to decline usual accommodation to Board in advance of building grant for current financial year; although Board had stopped all new bnildings. including many urgent requirements. Will there be no further sum propoied Oy Government for appropriation for school buildings out of million loan to be raised next January? Important that report should be contradicted at once .if incorrect. — (Signed) Bicbajid Hobbs, Chairman Education Board. New Plymouth. 10th April, 1884. To B. .Hobbs, Eeq., Chairman Education Board. Auckland. Whole of amount In schedule of three million loan set apart for school building has been exhausted with the last allocation of fifty thousand pounds, and there are no ways ana means available for further school bnildings until fresh provision is made by Parliament. I did express opinion that Parliament would not make provision any further borrowing for school bnildings, but am quite clear, and said so, that some provision must be made.—l am, &C., H. A. Atkinson.

It was agreed to forward a copy of the Premier's telegram to the bank.

MotrsT Hoesok.—A deputation of the Mount Hobson School Committee waited on the Board to point out the for enlarging the Newmarket SchooL—Mr. Tait, who officiated as spokesman, said they had sought this interview to point out the necessity for increased accommodation. The average attendance at present was 50 more the school could accommodate. The railway workshops would soon be in operatioß, and this would bring additional children to the district, for whom additional provision should be made.—Mr. Bees George spoke to the same effect, and Mr. Tait drew attention .tot the fact that the compulsory clauses of the Act were ia force in the district.—The Chairman said the Board fully sympathised with the committee, and their application would strengthen the hands of the Board with the Government, and show that they were only pntting np buildings where they were urgently required. But after hearing the correspondence with the bank and the Colonial Treasurer the committee would see that the Board was powerless.. The Board was entirely atone with the committee in the matter, and their representation would strengthen the hands of the Board. ' There was also a question as to the drainage of the school site brought np by the deputation which, on the motion of Mr. Cooper, was referred to the architect.— Tha deputation thanked the Board and withdrew.

UjrrvEESiTY College Scholabships. — The following letter was read from Mr. McArthur, 11. A., head-teacher of the Auckland Training College :—" I have the honour to report that Mr. F. P. Burton aad Mr. J. 3. Poland, students of the Training College, have been successful in carrying off the only two scholarships yet awarded by the Auckland University College Council. This is gratifying to the Board, inasmuch as both of these students are ex-district scholars. At the end of last year Mr. J. M. French, also a student of the Training College, succeeded in obtaining a first-class in Latin at the exami-nation-held by the University College professors. He is also an ex-district scholar. I consider that these facts Bhould be brought under the notice of the Board, as showing the success which attends ■ the district •cholara."—The letter was received.

Aeaeimtt. — A deputation of residents waited bit the Board on the question which has been so frequently brought up as to whether there should be two half-time schools or one full-time school in the district. —A letter was received from Messrs. Shaw, Jones, and others, complaining of the Board having declared the late electioii of the committee valid.! They claimed that it was invaUd, on the ground that the members were smuggled in by persons who were cot entitled to vote.—Mr. Cooper said it was clear that this district was divided against itself; and one section had stolen a march on the other, and obtained the judgment of the Board in their favour, and this judment was final The Board had no power to reverse its decision. ■ The main question, to his mind, was whether both schools should be kept open aa ha If-time schools, or one. kept open as a full-time school. He was of opinion they should keep both schools open. —Mr. Mo»h suggested the advisability of dividing the district into two, as there was a manifest incompatibility of temper.—After hearing Mr. Shaw and other members of the deputation, Mr. Cooper moved that the Board see no reason to alter the present position of aflairß, and will continae the two schools as half-time schools.—Captain McKenzie seconded - the motion.—Mr. Luke moved;as.an,.amendment that the wish of the committee be acceded to, and that the new school be opened as a full-time school. —Captain MoKenzie thought from the numbers they had, 50 at one school and 42 at the other, they were entitled to two fulltime schools. They had the bnildings, and the ohildren to fill them.—Mr. Luke's amendment was lost, and Mr. Cooper's motion was oarried, Mr. Luke voting against it.

Gbapion School Assistant Teachbb.— In regard to the proposal to remove Mr. Talbot from the Grafton School, a letter was received'from the committee. They denied that there was any unfairness to Mr. Talbot. They had not gone into the charges preferred againife Mr. Talbot, but they found that the principal teachers did not agree, and that it was necessary to separate them. If the assistant teacher was not removed the committee would send in their resignation. This letter was in answer to one.from the Board forwarding Mr. Talbot's letter.—Mr. Can moved-that no reply having been received; from the head-master no action be taken.—Mr. Goldie supported this view, and it was'agreed to.

' Comuissionbbs,—Messrs. ' Inglis, Jeffs, and Bluoher were nominated commissioners for Fukeatua, and Mr. Ruddle for Ruakaka.

: Applications.—A number of applications fromcountry diatriota were received, but the consideration ' of tie greater number was postponed. -- :i ILIuwAEEAiJaA. -" The -first application was to establish a 1 night school, 'and permission. y?&B. given v to:.i the committee to do so according &>• the Act..,. An -application to improve the school and playground was referred to Mr. Allright to report on. KimKlHl.—Mr. Dyer forwarded the reso-lutions-passed at a public meeting (which have already been published) in reference to !the charges against .Mr. Nicholson, and the ' complaints made" by Messrs. Kay and others. —Mr, Mobs moved, " That, "aB no reply has been reoeived' to the letters sent, in accordance with the Board's resolntion of 28th March, ,ai?d as, : in; the meantime, .the residents of the district havei in public meeting, expressed their confidence in Mr." Nicholson as the" teaohor of their school,' the, Board resolves that no further action shall bo taken in the matter."—Finally it was agreed, on the motion of Mr. Cooper, to forward to Mr.

Nicholson a copy of Mr. Cowan's affidavit,' in order that'he might be able to vindicate his character in a Court of law, and this, being added to Mr. Moss's resolution, it was carried as a whole. v ' The remaining business wag postponed till next meeting.