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New Zealand Mail, Issue 1687, 29 June 1904, Page 68 (Supplement)

The solicitors of the South Canterbury Education Board were recently asked to furnish an opinion as to the correct interpretation of section 79 of -the Education Act, 1877, relative to marking attendances on school registers. The solicitors state that in their opinion the section does not afford any sanction for making as present in the attendant's registers pupils absent by reason of some religious observance, but, as Us terms clearly import, it is- only intended to prevent tlie fact of such absence, if satisfactorily accounted for, being counted against tlie necessary qualification for a good attendance certificate.' The register for the purpose of computing capitation allowance and for all other purposes should represent actual, and not constructive, attendance, but where satisfactory evidence of absence for the reason stated is furnished in accordance with the Act, a note of the fact should be made in the register in order that the provisions of the section m respect of good attendance certificates may be given effect t®