BOARD OF EDUCATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9166, 22 September 1888, Page 6

BOARD OF EDUCATION.

The usual meeting of the Board of Education took place yesterday afternoon. t Present: Messrs. J. H. Upton (chairman), J. W. Carr, J. M. Lennox, XJdy, Moat, and Luke, Theo. Cooper. Chairman's Report.—The Chairman reported the temporary closing of the East Taniaki School on account of sickness among the children. Maungakaramea school committee have been referred to clause 77 ofthe Board's regulatiousas to the conditions of granting aid towards formation of school library. Pukeatua school committee have been furnished at their request, with copy of Mr. Green's letter relative to proposed use of school-room for dancing-class. Te Rahu school committee report that the school has been again closed on account of continued prevalence of diphtheria in the district, he resignation of Miss A. S. Carmichaol, assistant teacher, Mercer school, has been received. The following temporary arrangement has been made : Miss K. Keesing, assistant, from Grafton Road to Mount Eden, in the absence of the assistant teacher. Mr. A. M. Rust has been referred to the regulation of the Board as to attendance at the nightscliool. Mr. H. W. C. Philips has been informed of arrangements made with approval of the Board for teaching six days a week in half-time schools. Mr. George Large, Mr. E. N. Ormiston, and Miss Elizabeth Savage have been referred to the Department for information as to teachers' examination. Applications re salaries from Mr. W. H. V. Hall and Mr. T. N. Wells are held over for consideration by the Board at quarterly adjustment of salaries. Miss C. Murrish had been informed that the Board had already selected a teacher for appointment as assistant atTe Aroha School. Sundry requisitions for school furniture had been dealt with.

Mr. Cooper's Resolutions.—The resolutions, of which notice had been given by Mr. Cooper, relative to staff and salaries of teachers of the public schools on a uniform scale throughout the colony, and that no child who has passed the sixth standard be allowed to attend the public schools, were postponed till next meeting owing to the absence of Messrs. Monk and Goldie. School Syllabus.—The following letter forwarded to the secretary of the Board of Education was read : —" Whangarei, September 12, 18SS. Sir, —At the last meeting of the Whangarei School Committee. Mr. C. H. Reid, one of the members, made a motion to the effect that a change should be made in the curriculum of the school ; the object being the introduction of subjects of a more useful choracter, and the elimination of others. It was thought that if history, geography other than New Zealand and Australia, and grammar were done away with, and the following substituted in their place, viz., agricultural chemistry, botany, and the knowledge of plants of economic value, also the knowledge of animals, mental arithmetic and writing from dictation, it would be of more importance to boys likely to be occupied in the cultivation of land chiefly. lam directed to ask your Board to what extent are the committee allowed to go in making these alterations, and would they in any way assist them with books, directions, and other facilities in the direction indicated ?—J. J. Wilson, secretary, Whangarei School Committee." Mr. Lennox said agricultural chemistry was already taught to his knowledge in some of the schools. The Chairman said in his opinion the Board had no power to alter the curriculum of the public schools. It was ultimately resolved to remit the letter to the Inspector to report thereon for the information of the Board at its next meeting. Hukerenui South.—The Board decided to prepare plans of a school building, Mr McLeod to be informed that a site has been already selected. Kaitaia. —Claim for rent of building used as a school building was disallowed. Kauaeranoa. —The Board could not see its way to increase the building accommodation in this district.

Mangonpi.— was agreed to make a small enlargement of the school. Mount Albert.—The repairs to the asphalt of the school ground to be done by school committee at cost of school fund. Ohinemtri.—For repairs to fence. Deferred till Inspector's report is received. Papa rata. —Memorialists to be informed that the Board had no power to expel a member of the committee from his office.

Parnkll. —Authorised repairs to girls' lavatories.

Tauranga.—A request for painting of old school. Committee referred to terms of circular as to contribution of one-half.

Waimamaku Valley.—The boundaries of district to be defined, and plana to be obtained of a school building: to be built according to promise. Wainui.—The teacher undertook, if the Board would supply the materials, to fence a paddock with his own labour. The Committee recommended the offer, but the Board could not see its way to make any arrangement for the purpose. Queen's Redoubt.—The Board had decided by resolution to close the school at the end of September at last meeting. Memorials were received from the residents concerned, and on the motion of Mr. Goldie they were held over for consideration at this meeting. Mr. Udy said he had visited the district, and gone over the whole of it and given very careful consideration to the question. It was his opinion one school was sufficient for the children now attending the three schools of Pokeno Hill, Pokeno Valley, and Queen's redoubt, but that the site of the school be removed a little nearer Queen's Redoubt than the present site at Pokeno Valley. It was stated that Mr. Goldie was unable to be present, but he had informed the chairman that in his opinion, after a visit to the district, that the Pokeno Hill School should be closed, and tho Queen's Redoubt School should be kept open. The Chairman moved, " That the Board adhere to its previous decision." An amendment was moved by Mr. Cooper, "That the question be adjourned till next week," which was put and lost—only Messrs. Cooper and Udy voting for it. The motion was then carried. Mr. Udy, thereupon, moved, and it was resolved, "That the committees of Pokeno Hill and Pokeno Valley be consulted as to amalgamation of school districts, with a view to the establishment of a central school, and that they be asked to report thereon as to what available site was in their opinion obtainable for a central school."