EDUCATION MATTERS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 5597, 25 May 1905, Page 2

EDUCATION MATTERS.

THE DEPARTMENT AND BOARDS. PIIESS ASSOCIATION. CHRISTCHURCH, May 24. Tho Education Board to-day discussod several resolutions dealing with the education system of the colony, forwarded by the Otago Board. The first resolution was to the effect that the centralising tendencies of the department are inimical to tho work of education, mid that instead of Parliament diminishing tho powers of Boards, they should bo extended! on sound economic lines. Mr Buddo, iM.H.R., did not consider either school committees or Boards to bo superfluous. He contended that Parliament should diminish the power of tho department. Regulations issued by the department had rendered, tho work of Boards loss effective j some of tiro regulations wore complicated, and, not calculated to bo of practical value, j Mr Hardy, M.H.R., said he did not care who was wiped out, so long as a better system was sot up. Tho department had undoubtedly been guilty of mismanagement, and with the ceaseless changes made in the regulations it was impossible for tho education system to work satisfactorily. The chairman said it was patent that tho department was making a determined effort to get control, as many of the returns asked for showed that it was bent on getting as much knowledge as possible as to the working of the Board.

It was decided to endorse tho resolution.

A resolution regarding the conveyance of children from sparsely-popu-lated districts to central schools was endorsed, with the addition that the minimum number of ton children before assistance is granted by Government bo abolished, and the distanceregulation only bo taken into account. Resolutions woro endorsed regarding tbo encouragement of young male teachers. Sir Buddo stated that unless an improvement were effected, the teaching profession in - Canterbury would be practically left to women. Mr Rennie pointed out that' this year there were more boys in the Board’s service than in any previous year., The chairman supported the resolution, and advanced the material increase in. the cost of living as a strong reason for increasing salaries: Mr Hogbon, Inspector-General of Schools, last week visited the Waltham and Templeton Schools, and as the chairman of the Education Board had not been notified by him of his proposed visits, members, at to-day’s mooting of the Board, referred to Mr Hogben’s action as an. interference with the Board’s work. Mr Hardy referred to Mr Hogbeu’r action, as a scandal, and said be hoped members of the Board would stand up as men and resent such interference. The chairman (Mr T. W. Adams) said neither he nor the Board had boosi given any notice of Mr Hogben’s visits,, Mr Peryman pointed out that tho Board’s inspectors paid surprise visits to the schools, and asked: why tho In-spector-General should not do so? Mr Buddo said the Board had drawn the attention, of tho department to tha overcrowding at Waltham School, and the Inspector-General had simply been inquiring into the matter. Ho failed' to see why any objection should be taken in the circumstances. , ... Mr Hardy said it was a want of courtesy. . Mr Opio said, the Board should have been apprised of Mr Hoghen’s' visit to the Templeton School. Notice of motion: was given by Mp Opie “That in matters in dispute between tho Board and tbo department,- if it becomes necessary for the InspectorGeneral to visit any of the schools nn* der the Bbard’s jurisdiction, notice of such visit should be given to the chairman of the Board.”