BOARD OF COLLEGE GOVERNORS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5550, 11 January 1879, Page 3

BOARD OF COLLEGE GOVERNORS.

A meeting of this body was held yesterday. Present —Hon. W. Gisborne, M.H.R. (in the chair), Rev. J. Paterson, Dr. Hector, Mr. Brandon, Mr. Hutchison, and Sir. Barton, M.H.R. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. REORGANISATION OF THN COLLEGE. The following report was read : PROPOSALS FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF WELLINGTON COLLEGE. The committee on the re-organisatton of the College beg to submit the following interim report:— 1. “In accordance with the resolution of the Board of Governors, legal notice has been given to all the masters—including the Principal—that their services will be di-pensed with at the end of next term. In the case of Professor Kirk it was found that from the terms of his appointment he was entitled to a six mouths’ notice, and that has been given. “2. In re-arranging the teaching staff, two things must be kept iu view; first, the efficiency of the inst tution, and second, the means at our disposal. We must do our utmost to secure its efficiency, but with our limited means we may not be able to do all we could wish to do. The expenditure must be regulated by the income. This principle must be kept in view in the appointments to be made, and in the scale of salaries to be adopted. ““3. The income for this year from endowments and fees is estimated at about £1900; that is the probable revenue of the College for the year. On this there is a claim of £3OO for interest on the mortgage debt on the building, leaving the sum of about £1603 available for teachers' salaries, insurance, &c.

“i. The committee would recommend that the teaching staff of— (1.) A head master or principal, who shall jbe qualified to teach the higher classics, and mathematics and English literature, and whose salary shall be £SOO per annum, with an additional capitation grant of £1 for every pupil attending the College ; also, with a free house, or in lieu thereof £IOO per annum towards house rent. (2.) A second master, also qualified to teach the higher classics and mathematics, as well as English in all its branches, and that his salary be £IOO per annum, with capitation allowance of 10s. for every pupil in attendance. “3. A third master, also qualified to teach classics, mathematics, and English. His salary to be £350 per annum, with capitation allowance of 10s. a head.

“ 4. A teacher of modern languages, French, and German. As it would not be expected that he should devote his whole time to the College classes, his salary to be, as at present, £2OO per annum ; but with an increase as soon as funds will allow. “5. As Professor Kirk’s engagement at the College does not terminate till the expiry of six months from date of notice, the governors cannot till then make any change in his department. But it is evident that with the funds now at their disposal, they would not be able to continue the services of a lecturer on Natural Science at the salary now given to Professor Kirk. At the same time,' the great importance of that branch of study in a complete course of education must not be overlooked. All approved systems of education in the present day give great prominence to the teaching of natural aud physical science. A course of study without it would be radically defective. The committee would recommend that the department of science be reserved to be dealt with hereafter as n special case. “5. In regard to the organisation of the College, the committee would recommend that there be an upper and lower division;, and that pupils be admitted to the lower school at any age not younger than nine yeais, and who have passed, or who would, be qualified to pass the fourth standard in the primary schools. In this lower school there should be given a good sound English and commercial • education, with the rudiments of Latin and French, and elementary instruction in mathematics to those who desire it. The entrance to the upper school should be determined by a somewhat strict examination in the branches taught in the lower school; and the course of study should embrace English in all its higher branches: mathematics (including arithmetic), classics, modern languages, aud natural science. It should not be compulsory on students to take all these subjects. Choice should be allowed between classics; especially Greek, and modern languages and science. This important subject of the curriculum is reserved for more full consideration. “6. The committee, would further recommend that the school’ year be divided into quarterly terms, with six weeks holiday in midwinter,and 6 weeks in midsummer, with the usual public holidays. The also recommend that the fees chargeable be £2 perquarter, or £8 a year for the lower school, and £2 10s. a quarter, or £lO a year, in the upper school. This implies a considerable reduction in the present scale of fees, and so far therefore a reduction in the revenue of the College. But it is believed that the reduction in the fees, with other improvements, will tend to make the institution more popular, and will thus attract a larger number of pupils. Andthe increase in the numbers will more than compensate the reduction in the fees. With the great increase of population in the city and the country, districts there ought to be a corresponding increase in the numbers attending the College. “7. Arrangements in regard to the boarding department are reserved for further consideration.

“8. The committee have had before them the Urgent .necessity of making provision for the higher education of girls, and would recommend that steps be taken as soon as possible to establish a girls’ high school in Wellington. And meanwhile, and until this is done, it may be a question for the Governors to consider whether they should not provide that advanced girds may be admitted; at certain hours, to receive instruction from the masters in some of the branches taught in the college. “ 9. Finally, the committee recommend that applications for the head mastership, for the second and third masterships, and for the position of teacher of modern languages—on the

terms above stated—be at once advertised for in the newspapers in the principal cities of the colony and in the Melbourne Argus and the Australasian.

“ James Paterson, “ Convener of Committee. “January 10, 1879.” Mr. Brandon suggested that the consideration of the report should be postponed for a week. This was the first time he had heard of some of the proposals. Dr. Hector : As the matter stands at present, the masters are under notice, and at the end of the term, unless something be done, the College will be without teachers. The Chairman : Yes.

Dr. Hector: There is one point which struck me, that is as to how far the constitution of the College and its position as an affiliated institution may be affected by these proposed changes. Mr. Hutchison : I don’t think that consideration comes iu. We looked at that matter carefully. Dr. Hector : For instance, the report states that the head master shall teach classics in every branch. The Kev. Mr. Paterson : Qualified to teach.

Dr. Hector ; Yes, qualified to teach ; and so with the second master, which seems to indicate a wish that each master shall take a class aud teach it in all branches. The Rev. Mr. Paterson : It is as well to understand that the report is simply the opinion of the committee, and may not be adopted by the Board. There is one matter which deserves immediate attention, that is the advertising for new masters. Dr. Hector : And that almost involves the adoption of (he report ; because there are several things to be considered which might affect the position of masters. Mr. Brandon : There is one proposition which seems to amount to a division of the institution into two schools.

Dr. Hector : Yes ; I rather like the idea.. It might be a very good plan to make one a commercial school and the upper school more in the nature of a college. The . Chairman : With a preliminary examination for boys who might wish to go into the upper school without first going through the lower one ? Dr. Hector : If the upper school were affiliated to the University, they would have to pass a matriculation examination. The Rev. Mr. Paterson : I think that would be far too high for boys entering the upper school. Mr. Brandon : I suppose there would not be two schools, but simply a higher and lower branch ? The Rev. Mr. Paterson : Yes; the same as in the High School in Dunedin. Professors Shand and Sale, aud others advocated the plan, and it has been tried with good effect in Dunedin. After some further remarks, The Board decided to hold a special meeting on Tuesday next to discuss the whole question. AUDIT OF ACCOUNTS, ETC., . A memorandum was read from the Secretary for Education, mentioning that an auditor of accounts would be shortly appointed; and asking for certain information as to attendance at the College, number of teachers, &c.—The Secretary was directed to prepare a draft report as requested, for the consideration of the Board. The Registrar-General wrote asking for somewhat similar information.—lt was resolved to comply with the request. ASSIGNMENT OF LAND. A letter was read from Messrs. Izird and Bell, asking the Board’s consent to a transfer to John Duthieof J. F. Margetfc’s interest in certain land in Willis-streefc.—The matter was referred to the Board’s solicitor for report. sir. waring taylor’s lease. Mr. Taylor wrote accepting tha offer of the Board’s terms for a renewal of his lease.—The Boai d ordered the preparation of the lease. investsient. It was resolved that £IOOO lying at the disposal of the Board should be invested at ten per cent., an offer to take it at nine per cent, not being considered satisfactory. MESSRS. HARDY AND BUCKLAND. It was agreed to give Messrs. Hardy and Buoklaud testimonials stating the length, of their service, the cause of their dismissal (reduction of expenditure), and further adding that in no respect had their services given dissatisfaction. FENCING ON FITZHERBERT-TERRACR. Mr. Brandon was requested to see to some necessary fencing, and it was also resolved to see what repairs were requisite at the College. Messrs. Brandon, Jackson, and Gisborne, and Dr. Hector, being appointed a committee to inspect the building with that object. SCHOLARSHIPS. . Mr. Hutchison complained that the information given in the advertisements now being published with regard to scholarships was too meagre to be of any value. He suggested that a full statement of all matters connected with the scholarships should be prepared by the secretary and published. The matter was ordered to stand over till Tuesday. Other routine business having been transacted, the meeting adjourned.