BOARD OF EDUCATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8524, 26 March 1891, Page 6

BOARD OF EDUCATION.

Friday next being a public holiday, the Board of Education met yesterday afternoon. Present: Messrs. Udy (chairman), Carr, Lennox, Luke, and Moat. Voting Papers.—Mr. Moat asked whether it was true that the voting papers in connection with the election had been opened before the meeting of the Board ? He had heard a rumour outside that such was the case. Mr. Lennox said that he had heard the same thing. The Chairman stated that the papers had been opened at the Board's meeting by direction of the Hoard, during the time the minutes were being read. Mr. Rice mentioned that some of the envelopes in which the papers were enclosed were plain envelopes. These had been opened in the usual way, but as soon as their nature was discovered they were placed with the other papers. This explanation was accepted. Manokke School.—Mr. J. M. Somerville wrote pointing out to the Board that he had made a mistake in his tender for the erection of the Maugere School. His tender (£315) was too low oy £51. This he stated was too much for a poor man to lose, aud he threw himself upon the generosity of the Board, it was decided to give the tenderer the option of going on with the work or to forfeit half of his deposit of £20. If he decided not to complete the next lowest tender (£359) to be accepted. BALANCES.—The balances to date were as follows :—Education fund (or.), £12,323 10s sd; building fund (cr.), £1480 3s 5d ; Girls High School (debit), £203 7a lUd. Chairman's Repojrt.— The chairman's report contained the following statements :— fenders : Tenders have been invited tor painting school buildings at Xaotaoroa and Waiiiui. Fern Flat: Explanation has been sent to committee regarding signatures of members to operate on school fund account at Bank. East Tamaki : Committee have been informed that assistant-teacher will not be removed prior to April 13th. Pukekohe East : School closed by order of committee i:i consequence of epidemic among children. Ballot boxes : Circulars have beeu issued to committees of schools within boroughs, notifying the supply of ballot boxes in conformity to section 6 of the School Committees Election Act, 1890." Resignation : Mr. James Muir, teacher, Papakura Valley. Leave of absence granted as follows : Misses Smith, Tuthill, Hopper (2).

Letter from Mk. Grant.—Mr. Grant again wrote with reference to the letter sent by the secretary of the Board to the Tauranga School Committee when he was a candidate for the headmostership of the school in that district. He stated that he had seen Mr. Goldie, and that gentleman had denied having written the letter referred to. Letters were also'read from Mr. Goldie denying the dictation of the letter, but he admitted having corrected the letter. He could not understand how anyone could say that he had written the letter. Mr. Udy stated that he had not said that the letter was written in Mr. Goldie's own handwriting. He, however, would confess that he had stated that Mr. Goldie had dictated the letter, but he had since found out that such a statement was incorrect. The question was whether Mr. Rico did or did not do certain actions unknown to the Board. Mr. Goldie had seen the references to that letter ineutioned in the chairman's report at the time, and he had signed this report. Mr. Lennox pointed out that what was stated in the Letter objected to was directly in accordance with the facts of the case. The Board had suited that he was of such a restless nature, that he was not very agreeable to school committees, and the letter only stated what the Board already thought on previous occasions. He was, nevertheless, a very able man; but he had occupied some very good positions, and had left them for his own conveuience. The records of the office showed (1) that the letter was written and sent by direction of the acting chairman; (2) that the correspondence was reported to the Board at its next meeting* The secretary denied that lie exceeded his official power in sending such communication. He merely discharged a duty required by his office under section 31 of the Education Act. Ic was resolved that Mr. Grant be informed that the letter was sent at the request of the Tauranga Committee aud by the authority of the Board.

Thanks. — Mr. Luke moved, " That a hearty vote of thanks be accorded to Messrs. Carr, Moat, Upton, and Goldie, the retiring members, lor the valuable services, and for their able counsel and advice during their connection with the Board, and that the Board regretted losing their services for the present. ' He hoped the new members would do their work as well as those who have retired. Mr. Moat seconded the resolution. He referred in the highest terms to these gentlemen. He was of opinion that no one had a better grasp of educational matters than Mr. Upton. The resolution was carried unanimously. Mr. Carr thanked the members of the Board for the kind things said in reference to his work.

Establishment of Schools.—Kahuhura : The Secretary was ordered to write for information as to the necessity of a school for this district. Dacre's claim and Big Omaha : It was resolved to make these schools fulltime schools, and to place lady teachers in charge. Mangapiko :It was agreed that the school in this district be re-opened. Purua : The question of establishing a school here was deferred.

Repairs—The sum of £3 19s Gd was granted for repairs to the teacher's house at Hamilton West. Oruru : £3 was granted for repairs to the teacher's house. VVairoa South : The committee applied for £5 17s 6d for the purchase of chemical apparatus; the Board agreed to grant half coat.

Herekino. —The committee wrote with reference to the Maoris to the school. It was resolved*fhat the committee be referred to the Act.

Tenders.—The tender of Messrs. Lovatt and Payne (£925) was received for the erection of the Chapel-street school. The highest tender was £1209. Committees. —The chairman pointed out what appeared to him somewhat of an anomaly. It seems that there are six school committees which have no .schools to look after, and yet at the same time they exercised all the usual powers of committees. This state of things was caused by the shifting of the population in certain districts, makinc it necessary for the schools to be closed.

Appointments. — Ohinewai, Mr. K. A. Fletcher ; Te Kowhai, Miss B. H. Sandea; Mr. H. JVWalter.