EDUCATION BOARD.

Otago Witness, Issue 1189, 12 September 1874, Page 9

EDUCATION BOARD.

The regular monthly meeting of the Education Board was held on Monday. Present : His Honour the Superintendent (in the chair), Messrs D. Reid, Turnbull, Stout, and Hislop (Secretary). KAIKORAI. Messrs A. H, Ross and A. C. Begg appeared as a deputation from the Kaikorai School Committee, to urge the necessity of erecting a schoolmaster's house in the district. Mr Ross said the rent for the teacher's residence was paid by the Government. The Committee thought it would be advisable to erect the house on the school grounds. In reply to the Superintendent, Mr Ross stated that the rental paid for the teacher's residence was £50 a year. The Chairman thought it was a reasonable request, and the Board might save money by agreeing to it. Mr Ross said the question had previously been brought forward, and referred to the Government. Referred to the Executive. SUNDRY REPAIRS. Applications for sundry repairs or improvements were received from Kaicanui, Balclutha, Wetherstones, East Taieri, Evans's Flat, Akatore, Blackstone, and Tokomairiro. They were approved and referred to the Government. APPLICATIONS FROM SCHOOL COMMITTEES. The Board decided to postpone the con sideration of applii ations from the SchooCommittees of Hyde, Gummie's Bush, Clifton, and Papakaio, until the proposed new regulations should come into force. ST. BATHANS. The School Committee applied for the sum of £150, to erect a new stone school, instead

of expending the £&0 previously granted to improve the wooden building.

The Chairman said the Eoman Catholics had recently started a school at St. Bathans, and they might have taken away half the children from the public school. Mr Hislop, in reply to the Chairman, said there were in attendance at the close of the year 25. The Chairman remarked that that was a very small attendance, and enquired whether the roof of the building needed much repair. Mr Hislop replied that it was a very old building, and suggested that the matter should be referred to the Government, which was accordingly done. EDENDALE. An application from the Edendale School Committee was received, askiug for a grant of £150 towards the erection of a commodious buildfng. Mr Hislop said at a former meeting of the Board the school was sanctioned. The Committee had the use of a small hut. Part of section 5, block 1., Mataura Hundred, was an education reserve, close to the railway station. There were 24 children attending the school, and he was informed by competent persons that the place was going to be very populous. Referred to the Executive. GROVE BUSH. The Grove Bush School Committee applied for £150 for a teacher's residence. This being similar to the Kaikorai case was also referred to the Government, MAHENO. A letter was received from the Committee with regard to the establishment of a school at Maheno. Mr. Williams had given a site for the purpose, and the inhabitants had subscribed £150. They wished to ascertain what assistance the Board was prepared to give. There were 47 children in the township, which was fast becoming populous. Referred to the Government. OAMARU. The Rector of the Oamaru Grammar School wrote on the necessity of providing further accommodation, and the School Committee forwarded a letter on the same subject. Mr Hislop said the North School at the end of the town had been recently opened. The Chairman asked whether the new school did not relieve the Grammar School. Mr Hislop replied that it was the same irr Oamaru as elsewhere. The schools were speedily filled after their erection. Mr Turnbull thought tho Board would be able to get the Drill Shed, as the Volunteers wero apparently being disbanded. The Chairman said they might grant the Committee £100, but the question had better be referred to the Executive. OUTRAN. The Outram School Committee applied for the sum of £180, to erect a new building. There were one hundred scholars on the roll, and subscriptions had been promised to the extent of £50. Referred to the Government. INCH VALLEY AND WOODLANDS. The Library Committee of Inch Valley and Woodlands submitted certain regulations for the sanction of the Board. They were sanct ; oned, on the condition that a rule be added providing that the books and property shall not be alienated at any time. APPOINTMENTS. The following appointments of teachers who have not been certificated were sanctioned :— John Wright, to Kyeburn School ; C. Cossgrove, Sandy Mount; Miss Marsh (late of Cromwell), Kawarau Grove ; James Peowrie, Edendale. Mr Wright, in hia communication to the Board, stated that he had been gold mining for the past eighteen years, ten of which were spent in Otago. The Committee, referring to Mr Wright, said that the residents in the Creek generally were confident that he would make a good teacher. PUPIL TEACHERS. Applications for two pupil teachers for Albany street School, Duuedin ; one for the new school at Invercargill ; and one for Walton, were approved. The attendance at the first-named school was reported to be about 220, the second 101, and all daily increasing in numbers. NEW SCHOOLS. A memorial was received from the settlers of Cleveland, asking for a new school. There were 19 heads of families representing 24 children under 4 years, and 51 between 4 and 14 years of age. The schools of Merton and Waikouaiti were several miles from the district. The settlers were prepared to subscribe liberally, and the subscriptions had , reached £47. A site was also promised. — • Referred to the adjoining School Committees of Waikouaiti and Merton. A similar application from Hillend West waa deferred till further information could be obtained. Stewart's island. A letter was read from the Rev. A. H. Stobo, enclosing a minute of the Presbytery of Southland, showing the necessity for another school at Stewart's Island. It appeared from the Secretary's report that the Board had already made provision for the education of the children of the Europeans, who are principally located at Half-moon Bay. The communication from Invercargill had referred to the Maoris and half- castes, for whom provision is generally made by the Colonial Goi vernment. If the Board would appoint a suitable teacher, tho Church Committee | were prepared to supplement his salary and I appoint a catechist. The Maoris had to cross in a boat to proceed from the Neck to Half -moon Bay, where Mr Poterson conducts the school. Mr Hislop said this was a matter for the Colonial authorities. The Chairman had no doubt that the subject would be attended to if represented to the Native Office. The Board decided that the application should be made to the Native School Department. Mr Stout thought it was a great pity that the whole of the Native Schools in Otago 1 were not put under the Board. Mr Hislop remarked that the Board had offered to take charge of them. INVERCARGILL. The Invercargill School Committee re-

quested that the allowance for house rent should be increased from £20 to £35. The Chairman thought it would be better to build a house, but the request was approved pro tern. DRAWING SCHOOL FITTINGS. A letter from Mr Hutton was read, stating that the increased number of students necessitated some additions to the Drawing School fittings. The extra easels, &c, required would cost £29 10s. Referred to the Executive. THE NEW REGULATIONS. The regulations prepared by Messrs Hislop and Petrie were ordered to be printed, and proof sheets submitted to the Board. They provide for the examination and classification of teachers • the appointment, classification, and payment of pupil teachers ; also, a syllabus, showing the course of instruction for each class in the District Schools, with directions and regulations in reference to them. adam's plat. The School Committee requested that another teacher might be appointed to the Adam's Flat School. Mr Hislop said that in consequence of the decrease in the population he was not justified in having another teacher appointed without consulting the Board. There were only 14 children attending the school at the close of the year. The Committee should have sent statistics. Mr Stout thought the Board might keep the school on for six months. They might have a half-time school, as in New South Wales. The Chairman remarked that the school would cost £75 a year. Mr Hislop said the Board had one or two half-time schools. He would shortly be in the locality of Adam's Flat, and ascertain further particulars. The Board decided to postpone the subject in the meantime. GREEN ISLAND. A communication from the School Committee was received, demurring to the claim of £14 5s for school fees. The Committee stated that Mr A. G-. Allan, the late schoolmaster, had not complied with the Board's regulation on the subject of school fees for several years They wished the Board to reconsider its decision on the matter, and they thought it was responsible for the regulations not having bepn carried out. The Board resolved to adhere to its former decision. ADJOURNMENT. Mr Turnbull said, with regard to the adjournment about the regulations, they would be ready on Tuesday week, when the High School Board of Advice might also send in their report. The Board adjourned till the 15th inst.