EDUCATION BOARD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 2126, 27 November 1868, Page 3

EDUCATION BOARD.

A meeting of the Education Board was held in the Superintendent's office yesterday. There were present—His Honour thu .Superintendent, Mr Burns (Secretary for Land and Works), Mr "Vogel (Provincial Secretary and Treasurer), Mr Haggitt (Provincial Solicitor), and Mr Reynolds (Speaker of the Provincial Coxmcil). The minutes.of the last meeting were read and confirmed Several accounts for repairs of School buildings were passed. The Secretary submitted memorials from settlors at Greytown (East Taieri), To Houka (Clutha), and Waiwera, requesting tho establishment of schools in | thofio several localities. The consideration of the application from Greytown was postponed ; some of the members of [ the Boar' 3 being in doubt as to the absolute necessity of a separato school- in that locality at present. It was resolved to sanction the establishment of Side Schools at Te Houka and Waiwera. ; The Secretary (Mr Hislop) presented applications from North Taieri and Lake Waipori for the enlargement of the schoolhouses ; from Clyde and Waikouaiti, for now schoolhouses; and from Port Chalmers, Alexandra, and Switzers, for mastera' residences. It was explained that the vote for schools this year had been expended on school buildings most urgently needed in several localities whoso claims in most cases were of longstanding. Tho Board agreed to refer the applications to the Executive for consideration. The rules of the Cromwell and Wairuna Public Libraries were confirmed by the Board, on condition that the Wairuna Library Committee addaclause to provide against the alienation of the books. The Board, on the application of the Hampden School Committee, sanctioned I tho reduction of the school fees from Bs, 12s, and 16s, to Cs 6d, 9s, and 11s 6d per quarter, it being_ understood that the teacher did not object to tiie reduction. In reply to a question by the Secretary, the Board resolved that the Provincial Government Debentures, held on behalf of the Richardson Scholarship Fund, should bo converted. . . . ■ The Secretary reported that the names of 43 candidates for the Provincial Scholarships had been vent in from tho following places, viz :—The High School, U ; Dunedin District Schools, 24 ; Mornington, 3; Blueskin, 2 ; North Taieri, 1; Lawrence, 1; Oamam, 1 ; Green Island, 1 ; and. Tokomairiro, 1. It was resolved that the examination of all the candidates bo hold at Dunedin ; and that the travelling expenses of boys from the country districts be paid by the Board. The Chairman stated that several representations had been made to him to the effect that boys educated privately should also be permitted to compete for tho Scholarships. The Provincial Solicitor, however, pointed out that by tho 38th clause of the Education Ordinance, tho holding of Provincial Scholarships was limited to "students of any public schools of the province of Otago." The Board sanctioned the carrying of a district road through Section 1, Block 48, Tokomairiro; and also confirmed an agreement made by tho Secretary with Mr Arthur, the lessee of a reserve in Cave Valley, for the giving up of a portion of the section for a school site. The Board considered letters from lessees of certain Education Reserves offering to purchaso the same on fair terms. A resolution was passed to the effect that it would be inexpedient to sell these or any other reserves that are satisfactorily leased. On the recommendation of the Secretary, tho Board, after some discussion, agreed to certain modifications as to the time for commencing the fencing and cultivation of several reserves, specified by him, which aro surrounded by the freehold lands of tho lessees. Tho meeting waa adjourned until today.