EDUCATION BOARD.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4268, 24 November 1874, Page 3

EDUCATION BOARD.

A meeting of the Board of Education for the province of Wellington was held yesterday morning. There were present Messrs. Brandon (chairman), Watt, and Toomath. Mr. Lee, Inspector for the Board, also attended. A rate of a halfpenny in the £ on the value of property was struck. The Secretary was instructed to notify by advertisement that the rate-hook would be open for inspection for a month, and that a copy should also be open for inspection for a like period at Wanganui. Application was made by letter from settlers at Bound Bush, requesting the Board to establish a school in their district. As there were eighteen pupils who would attend the school, the Board decided that a school should be established in conjunction with the one at Lower Carnarvon, where there were but six pupils at present. The mistress now teaching at the latter place is to be instructed to the effect that three days of the week are to be devoted to the Bound Bush school, and two to the Lower Carnarvon school. The Secretary was instructed to request teachers to forward him a list of parents who had not made payments in accordance with the Act. Defaulters to be dealt with as the Board may yet determine. A letter was read from Father Tresalliet, concerning improvements to the Koman Catholic school, Victoria Avenue, Wanganui. As the improvements mentioned were of a permanent nature, and the Board’s control over the school might be terminated by six months’ notice on either side, it was decided that the request could not be entertained. The Board had recently painted the school, and gravelled the playground. Mrs. Lawson offered, by letter, to instruct female teachers in the several branches of education necessary to qualify them as teachers under the Board. The Secretary was instructed to inform Mrs. Lawson that the Board had decided not to avail itself of her offer. Applications were made by Mr. Holmes (Te Aro School) for more desks, and also by Mr. Mowbray (Thorndon School), for more desks and extra teaching power. The latter gentleman called the Board’s attention to the disparity in the number of teachers in his school to that in other schools under the Board’s control. A letter was received from Mr. Harvey, incumbent of St. Paul’s, stating that if the Board intended to make alterations of the desks in the Thorndon school, he would be compelled to give the Board six months’ notice, as per agreement, as the alteration would affect the Sunday school in connection with the Church. The teacher of the Kaiwaiwai school requested the Board to afford him better house accommodation, as he intended to marry shortly. The local committee also endorsed the application, and commented in very favorable terms on Mr. Badland’s management of the school under his charge. The Board thought it desirable to merge four of the schools in the Wairarapa into two, allowing one school between Tauherinikau and Kaiwaiwai, and one for the districts of Wharekaka and Moroa. By doing so, Mr. Badland would be placed in possession of a good residence. It was stated that Mr. Hausard was still temporary teacher at the Bridge school, Lower Hutt. The residents of Morrisville (ten miles beyond Masterton) requested the Board to provide a teacher for them. They are principally Scandinavians, and the General Government had till recently furnished them a master, and erected a school-house. The Secretary was instructed to inform them that as soon as they paid rates a teacher would he sent them. The Secretary read a letter from Mr. Finn, of Foxton, who requested that a superior teacher should take charge of the Foxton schools. The residents of the township were willing to supplement a good master’s salary by £SO. The Inspector stated that the Board’s school there was poorly attended, the teacher not possessing much ability, but that a Mrs. Smith, who kept a private school for girls, which was well attended, was willing to come under the Board at a salary of £75 a year. After a little discussion, the subject was allowed to stand over for the present. The manager of the Bank of New Zealand requested that the Board would furnish him with a duplicate of a cheque which was stolen from the mail bag, between Marton and Foxton. The cheque had been paid at Marton to the person in whose favor it was drawn, but was stolen during its transit to Wellington. The duplicate was wanted simply as a voucher. The Secretary was instructed to furnish the Bank with a duplicate. The teachers in the neighborhood of Wellington requested that the Christmas vacation should commence three days earlier than the date appointed in the secretary’s circular. The request was granted. Mr. Lee then read his report. Ho deplored the insufficient accommodation which many of the schools afforded; but was happy to state that a general improvement was noticeable in the scholars. He had dispensed with many superfluities in the country schools, so that time and opportunity might be afforded the pupils of acquiring substantial knowledge; but he would like to see better facilities for a higher education in tho Board’s town and city schools. The total number of children nowattending the schools under his supervision is 3147, namely, 1804 boys and 1343 girls. There are 58 schools in operation. He had examined 2587 children. With regard to the schools in Wellington and immediate country districts, he stated the school in Te Aro to be the largest in the province, the number of scholars reaching nearly 400, but the standard of the scholars was low, owing probably to the constant influx of pupils, who mostly left the institution when they had reached their twelfth year. But one pupil in this school had passed class 3 in examination, he being a Maori lad, a son of Wi Take. More teachers were required to assist Mr. Holmes. The school at Thorndon end required more accommodation ; the school was excellently attended, but discipline was rather lax. He could speak speak favorably of the Hopperstreet school, which was attended mostly by. young children. In tho Boulcott-street school, ho found better arithmetic than in any other school ; but more accommodation was needed. Good discipline prevailed in tho Hill-street school, and fair in other respects. The Kaiwarra school reflected great credit on tho teachers, being well conducted and excellently managed. The Johnsonville school ho found to bo in admirable order ; but tho Porirua Ferry school was the reverse. Bad accommodation prevailed at Pahautanui, but tho tone of the school had considerably improved under its new teacher. There was ample room for improvement in the Karori, South Makara,

Upper Hutt, and Waiuuiomata schools ; but in the North Makara, Ohariu, and Lower Hutt schools improvement was noticeable. He was happy to state that the Board’s best scholar west of Wellington was Master Field, at the Aramoho school. The report was ordered to be printed, The meeting adjourned till Monday next, when the Inspector's report will be considered.