BOARD OF EDUCATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9154, 8 September 1888, Page 6

BOARD OF EDUCATION.

The ordinary meeting of the Board of Education was held yesterday. Mr. Upton presided, and there were also present:— Messrs. J. W. Carr, D. Goldie (M.H.R.), J. M. Lennox, S. Luke, Theo. Cooper, R. Udy, W. P. Moat (M.H.R.), R. Monk (M.H.R.)

Chairman's Report.—The Chairman reported that application had been made to the Survey Department for survey of site for the proposed school building at Karamu. The Port Albert School had been temporarily closed in consequence of the prevalence of whooping cough. Mrs. A. M. Marsdon, assistant teacher Te Aroha School, had forwarded her resignation. The following arrangements had been made: Miss Margaret Brown, pupil teacher, from Nelson-street to Avondale. The report was adopted. New Zealand History, Etc.A circular was received from the Education Department in reference to a question in the House as to instruction in the primary schools in the natural resources, climate, products, industries, manufactures, and history of New Zealand, in place of one or more of the subjects now taught, stating that the Minister of Education was of opinion that no change in the syllabus was required ; but that New Zealand geography, intelligently taught, covered nearly all the ground included in the question, so far as it could be dealt with in the primary school course. The Closing of Schools. —Another circular received from the Education Department was with reference to the recent discission a3 to the reported closing of public schools on school days. The Minister asked that, if the Board had become aware of any malpractice in this respect, they inform him to what extent it had been carried. The Board resolved to reply that no instance of the kind had occurred in this district. It was also agreed to send copies of the circular to the various committees. *

Queen's Redoubt School.— petition was received from several of the residents of the Queen's Redoubt district, protesting against the closing of the school there. Mr. D. Maxwell also wrote in the same strain. Mr. Monk thought that the number in any school should be very few when it was decided to close that school. Mr. Cooper said that since the date of the meeting at which it had been resolved that the school should not be kept open he had enquired into the mutter, and found that the children who went there would be very much inconvenienced if the decision of the Board were carried into effect. He was now very much in doubt on the question. The Chairman said the inspectors had frequently recommended the closing of the school. Mr. Udy remarked that there was a feeling in the district that one of the schools should be closed, but that the Board were proposing the shutting of the wrong 1 one. On the motion of Mr. oldie, it was decided to defer the further consideration of the matter for a fortnight. Tenders.Tenders were received for service and supplies. It was resolved that they be considered, and scheduled at next meeting. Miscellaneous. —The Board deferred the consideration of the question of painting the Grafton Road School. The lady teacher of the Mangawai Beach school wrote calling attention to the fact that the school was very draughty, and therefore the children attending it incurred some danger. The letter was referred to the school committee. A number of minor applications were also considered.