BOARD OF EDUCATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7270, 7 March 1885, Page 6

BOARD OF EDUCATION.

Thb usual meeting of the Board of Education took place yesterday afternoon. Present; Mr. Luke (in the chair), Messrs. Moat, J. M. Clark, F. J. Moss, D. Goldie, Theo. Cooper, J. W. Carr, Professors Aldis and Tucker. Chairman's Rbport.—The following report from the Chairman was read :—Teachers —The following arrangements have been made :-Misa b:. Astley, from Girls , High School to Parnell, temporarily; Miss Edith J. Wily, pupil teacher on probation, to Puriri. Buildings : Tenders have been called for buildings at Hautapa and Pakara. Coromandel: Committee authorised to spend school funds in repairs. Kaurihohore : Explanation sent to committee of delay in reopening the Hikuraogi School. Mercer: Application for use of schoolroom referred to committee to be dealt with in terms of regulations. Waiorongomai : Explanation to committee of Board's decision on question of disputed chairmanship of committee. Wellesleystreet: Attention of City Council has been called to deposit of refuse ground at back of Wellesley-street School. Requisitions : The accompanying requisitions, Nos. 789 and 790, have been dealt with. — Samokl Lokk, Chairman.—The report was adopted. Draft Annual Kepobts and Returns.— These were placed on the table by the Secretary for approval. Mikan a School.—The tender of Mr. Boyle, of Thames, for erection of school building at £170.—Accepted. Port & lbert. In this district the election of the School Committee had been disputed.—The Board declared the election valid.

Mount Roskill.— The Chairman of the Roskill School Committee reported that Mr. Gush, tbe master, was not attending to his duties, and as he had not appeared at the school that day (Friday) he had directed Miss Robb to dismiss the scholars. The Board decided to suspend Mr. Gush pending inquiry, Mr. flolliwell to take temporary charge of the school. Stork's Point.—Committee to be asked to make room for thirty-five children from the Sugar Company's estate. Papakura Vallbt.—Application for a second school referred to the Inspector. Mangamjlo and Waipu Cave. — Householders having failed to elect a committee, the Board appointed Commissioners. Proposed Monthly Meetings'.—Mr. Moss moved the motion standing in his name, with reference to reverting to monthly meetings. It was as follows : " That with a view to better enabling country committees to return country residents to represent them at the Board it is desirable that the meetings of the Board should be held monthly, beginning at eleven a.m. and continuing as long as may be found necessary." A long discussion ensued, in which every member of the Board took part. Professor Tucker moved ian amendment on the terms of the motion, to the effect that the meetings should be held fortnightly, and that an executive committee with defined powers be appointed, which was carried on the casting vote of tbe Chairman. For the amendment, Messrs. J. M. Clark, Moat, Professor Tucker, and the Chairman. Against;, Messrs. Goldie, Carr, MoiS, and Professor Aldis. Am amendment by Mr. Goldie to postpone the consideration of the question was rejected, as well as one for appointfng two committees to act on alternate weeks.

Scß-IssPEcroß Peacocke's Appointment, — Mγ. Goldie moved, "That a committee consisting of Mr. Luke, Professor Tucker, Mr. Cooper, and the mover be appointed to examine into the manner of Mr. P.-acocke's appointment, his general performance of the duties of an inspector, and his fitnesss and qualification for that office." In moving the motion Mr. Goldie said be bad no antipathy to Mr. Peacocke, but the statements which had been current as to bis appointment rendered it necessary to enquire into tbe matter. He had been, it seemed, appointed shortly after Mr. H. H. Lusk's retirement from the ohairmanthip of the Board. The bankruptcy proceedings showed Mr. Peacocke waa largely indebted financially to that gentleman. There might be nothing in that, but it should be cleared up. There was also the question of qualification for office. The Board should get the best men for its money.— Tbe Chairman read the following extracts from the records as to the dates of Mr. Peaoooke's appointments, who was Chairman of the Board at the tirre, and the members present when they were made:— " 31st May, 187S—Appointed clerk to inspector. Present : Dr. Campbell (Chairman), Colonel Haul tain, Messrs. Luckie, May, Moat, and Prime. 20th August, 1880—Appointed assistant-inspector. Present: Mr. J. M. Clark (Chairman), Dr. Campbell, Messrs. Luke, May, Moat, Peacocke, and Prime. 26th May, 1882—Salary raised £400 a year. Present : Mr. Moat (Chairman), Slessrs. Clarke, Luke, and Prime." After some discussion for and against the proposal, the motion was carried. East Tamakl— Complaint Against Mb. Pk*cocke. —The following letter from the Chairman of the East Tamaki School Committee was read :—" East Tamaki, February 3, 1885. To the Chairman of the Board of Education, Auckland. Sir,—l am directed by the East Tamaki School Committee to write to the Board of Education, complaining of the way Mr. Peacocke examined the East Tamaki School. Mr. Peacocke began the examination 35 minutes before the usual time for commencing school, and examined the children as they arrived, the roll not being called, thereby causing interruption and inconvenience during the examination. The committee desire to call special attention to the fact that Mr. Peacocke put back to No. 2 and 2£ oopy books sll the children who have been writing in No. 4, 5, and 5£ copy books, without examining their book*. The committee also desire to state that Mr. Peacocke has instructed the teacher to give one hour, instead of half an hour's drill per week, which the commit'.ee deem quite unnecessary. The committee wish to express their disapprobation of Mr. Peacocka'e conduct during the examination, and urgently request the Board to cause an inquiry into the matter. — I am, &c, Alfred Harms, Chairman Ea»t Tamaki School Committee." —The letter waa referred to the committee appointed to enquire into the marjner in which Mr. Peacocke had performed his duties. Lectures on Elemestart Science.—The following letter was reod from Professor Brown :'—" University College, Auckland, March 5. 1885.—The Secretary of the Board of Education: Sir, —I propose to give a special course of lectures on elementary science during the next session of this Col'ege. The lectures would be delivered on Saturdays, in the morning, and would be specially adapted to wants of teachers. I should be glad if you would lay this proposition before the Board, with a view of ascertaining (1) whether the Board would grant any facilities to teachers attending such classes ; (2) whether the Board would afford any encouragement to teachers attending euch classes. —Yours, fcc, Fbed. D. Brown, Professor of Chemistry in the Auckland University Callege." —Referred to Inspector to report on, to see if the proposal would interfere with the work of the Training College. The Girls , High-school and the Grammar School Endowments.—Professor Aldie moved, " That the maintenance of the Girls , High School ought to be a charge npon the funds of the endowment granted under the Auckland Hospital and Grammar School Reserves Act, 1856, for the maintenance and support of a college and grammar school, or schools, on the isthmus of Auckland, and that steps be forthwith taken with a view to giving practical effect to this resolution." In moving the motion Professor Aldis said he was aware that Sir Frederiok Whitaker had given an opinion to the effect that the terms of the trust, generally, precluded the endowments being used for the benefit of girls as well as boys. Sir George Grey, on the other hand, had informed him that when he assisted in forming the trust, it was intended that the Grammar School endowments should be used for the benefit of both sexes. After some discussion it was agreed to postpone the consideration of the matter tc that day five weeks, and that in the meantime the Seoretary procure all the information available on the subject. Girls' High School.—The Matron applied for further articles of furniture, and extra help, as the work was too much for one servant.—lt was agreed to authorise the purchase of the articles required.