ESSAY ON GRAMMAR.

Otago Witness, Issue 1460, 8 November 1879, Page 7

ESSAY ON GRAMMAR.

The monthly meeting of the Dunedin branch of the Otago Educational Institute was hold in Normal School on Saturday last. _ About 20 members were present, and the chair was take by Mr Reid, of South Dunedin. Mr Gabdneb read a paper on English grammar. English grammar, he said, was generally defined as the art of speaking and writing the language con ectly, but the defiuition was not generally followed out in the textbook, and the use of the terms "analysis " and " composition " showed that grammar was not generally understood to be the art of speaking and writing the English language. He regarded the subject as an art aud as a science. As an art' it was chieflly constructive, affording useful information ; and as a science chiefly analytical, supplying mental training. It was needless to point out that the ability to expre3s ideas with force and clearness, and to understand fully what was heard or read, was of the highest service, but one could acquire that art from grammar as it had been, and to some exteut was at present, taught. There was some truth in wbat a gentleman who did good servica in the old Provincial Council used to s»y, that he was fortunate in not having learned grammar, for be observed that; I

those who had been learning it often stopped in delivering their speeches to correct their errors, and generally made the matter no better, while he could make himself inlellißible and avoided the confusion of correc ions. That the old method did not teach the arb of speaking was proved by the attempts for centuries to teach Latin and Greek by that means. The firit thing to be attainei in learning any language was a knowledge of words, so ps to know their meaning and to have them at ready command, and the trae way to acquire this knowledge was to observe the things of which the words were the names — whether objects, actions, or qualities. All other meaus were subordinate to this, but were not to be despised on that account. Learning the roots, prefixes, and affixes enabled the pupil to ext.ni his vocabulary by analopy, a*id also stimulated the recollection. Another veiy important and perhap3 more practical help than a knowledge if tha root of a word wa3 an examination of ib as used by different authors and in different senses. Force and clearness, however, would depend not so much on these helps as upon a thorough knowleJge of the thinga of which the words were the.names ; and consequently any grammar exercise which multiplied words at the expense of a knowledge of things, or required pupil 3ta write about what they had a vary imparfecfc knowledge of, was likely to produce a bad s'yle of composition, and might justly be termed the art of killing the Queen's English. Although by reading good English authors, and by con versation, the arb of correct speaking and writing might be acquired, it did not follow that by the same means they would learn the science of tha language. It was at this point that giammar became useful, for it enabled them to take the language to pieces, to see the relation of one word to another and of clause to clause, and made the structure of the language a subject for mental training. The remainder of the paper was devoted to the more technical pait of the subject, a number of the difficulties and inconsistencies of grammar being discussed.

Mr Montgomery criticised the portion of the paper which dealt with grammar as a science, and contended that in it they muafc have logical consi-.tency — that whatever of ifc was taught must be t\ught correctly; but that distinctions and definitions should not be multiplied. For the first two or three years he thought children should be taught the distinctions between proper and common names, and transitive and intransitive verbs, but that the adjectives should be left undivided. He was ia favour of the method for teaching the art of correct writing and speaking whioh had been referred to in Mr Gardner's paper.

Mr Park thought they should do away with the slavery of teaching so much grammar to young children. It did not matter to children whether a nance was common, proper, concrete, or abstract. If he had his way he would never put a grammar into a Ja^s hand until he was 15 years of age— he would rather burn the lot, for they were productive only of misery. For years he had been in favour of teaching compositions by leading questions, instead of the rules and definitions of grammar. At any rate, if they taught the parts of speech and the distinction between transitive and intransitive verbs, he would say, do not trouble the pupils with minute exceptional case?. He would be glad to see the grammars cut down from 200 pages to 10 or 20 pages, and the children practised in writing sentences daily, and in giving correct expression to their thoughts.

Mr Duncan agreed with the opinions expressed in the paper, and said that the time wasted over the subject of grammar was very great indeed. The Chairman also agreed in the main with the paper which had been read, and on the motion of Mr Moore (the hon. secretary), a vote of thanks was accorded to Mr Gardner.

The ordinary meeting of the Otago Education Board was held on Thursday. Present — Messrs Green (in the chair), Elder, Fraer, Begg, Clark, Ramsay, and Professor Shand.

FINANCIAL COMMITTEE'S BEPOET.

The following report from the Finance Committee was adopted :—: —

Yeur Committee having considered the various matters submitted to it, begs to make tho following recommendations : —

St. Leonards.— That the additional furniture asked for be provided, but that the other works mentioned in tho Committee's application be undertaken by the School Committee, such works coming within tho meaning of "repairs to school building*." Naseby. — That the completion of ihe original plan of the school building be carried out as soon as possible, and that the Committee be allowed to dispose of the old teacher's residence and devote the procoeds to the improving of the grounds; also that the claim for fencing be declined

T&panui. Yaur Committee recommend that the additions to the school buildings as recommeud> d by the Board's architect be carried out at a cost not to exefed £100.

Waitikfauna Gully. — That an additional cUss-room be provided.

Kakanui. — That an addition to this school be provided, and that in the meantime, to provide for the increased attendance, the Secretory be authorised, if posßiblo, to lease somo suitable buildiDg ia the township.

Waitahuna.— That an addition In ceded to this school, such addition to provide accommodation for at least 75 pupils. Manuka CreeV. — Your Committee would recommend that a sum not exceeding £10 be expended in repairing, pa'ntlntr, and refurnishing thi3 school. Dunedin, Union Btreet — That the recommendation of the Board's architect concerning the covering in of the verandahs, and the altering of the ventilators in tho lower rcoms of the new school be given effect to. Dunedin, Arthur street.— That tho extension of the drains, rendered necessary through the filling in of the adjacent sections, be carried out. Palmerston. — Your Committee recommend the Board to grant the application of this ComruHteo to build a concrete tank and provide pumps, &c, as it sees'no reason why the providing of water in iron tanks should not work as well in this district as in all others under the control of the Board.

Ida, Valley Contract. — Your Committee cannot recommend the Board to refund the deposit lodged by Mr Taylor for his contract to erect the school at Ida Valler.

Completion of School Buildings.— Your Committee would recommend that the following sums ho granted for the completion of tbc school buildings in the several districts :— Dunhack, £15 ; Waihola Gorge, £10 ; Crookaton, £6 ; Inch Clutha, £20 ; Kaitaugati, £9 ; Brighton, £15 ; Caversham, £12 10s. Painting School Buildings.— That the Secretary D 9 instructed to call for tinders for the painting of a number of school buildings throughout tho district ; such works to be advertised in the different districts, and tenderers to offer at f chedule prices. Normal School. — Tour Committee cannot recommend the Board to make any alteration in the scale of payments to the teachers employed in the Normal School, or to take any action at present in the matter. Rates on George street Site. — Your Committee cannot recommend the Board to pay to Mr Eliott tho city rates upon the school sito recently purchased from him. Adopted.

WAIHEIIO.

A deputation, representing several settlers at Highlay and Waihemo, waited upon the Board to put forth the claims of the district for the establishment of a public school. The nearest school was 15 miles away, and the population of the place was rapidly increasing. It was resolved—" That the Board agrees to erect and maintain one school iv the Waihemo district, and that one of the Board's officers be directed to select the best site, after consulting those interested in the district."

RESIGNATIONS.

The following resignations were accepted :— Thomas Browu, first assistant teacher, Toko-

mairiro; Patrick Legerfcwood, first assistant, Caversham ; Margaret Findlay, pupil teacher, Caversham ; G. W. Carrickington, second assistant, Tokomairiro.

APPOINTMENTS.

The following appointments were made : — Thomas Brown, first assistant, Caversham, vice Legertwood, resigned; Jam3s Korr Menzies, first assistant, Tokomairiro, vice Brown, promoted ; Allen Adams, fourth assistant, Oamaru, vice Thomas, deceased ; W. G. Fraser, head teacher, Waiwera, vice Selby, promoted ; Malcolm Henry, pupil teacher, Mcs^iel, new appointment ; Margaret M'Dougal, pupil teacher, Albany street, new appointment ; Margaret Macaulay, pupil teacher, Flag Swamp, new appointment j Thomas Bell, pupil teacher, Taieri Ferry, new appointment; William Stewart, pupil teacher, Highcliffe, new appointment.

ADDITIONAL TEACHERS.

The following were sanctioned : — Seacl'ffe, sewiag teacher ; Papakaio, do ; Waiareka, do ; Ncrih Oamaru, pupil teacher ; West Tai^ri, sewing teacher ; South Dunedin School, pupil teacher.

TENDERS.

The following tendrra were accepted :—Balclutha residence, L 226 lO*, Dow and Scotfc ; Stirling_ residence, L 264, Dow and Scott ; Wakari residence, L 214, Henry Owen ; Alexandra class room, L 494, Dow and Scott ; Clyde additions, &c. , L 65, Dow and Scott ; Pukeuri additions and residence, L 127 63, Richard Sh:.nks ; providing 50 iron fender 3, Ll4, George Thorncroft.

OAMARU.

The Secretary of the Oamaru School Committee wrote asking for additional furniture, and stating that the following resolution had been passed at a recent meeting of the Committee: — "That the Education Board be thanked for the offer of the services of a drawing master for the High School, and desire to avail themselves of his visits as often as possible^ but would respectfully suggest the advisability of appointing permanently a drawing master for the district, as drawing is a part of the school syllabus." It was decided to sanction the supply of some additional furniture, but the Board regretted its inability to comply with the recommendation ia reference to a drawing-master.

DUNEDIN GEORGE STREET SCHOOL.

The Dunedin Committee recommended the Board to advertise for teachers for the George street School ab tho following salaries :— Head master, L 30 0; first assistant, L 25 0; schoolmistress, Ll3O. Approved, and the Secretary was instructed to insert tho necessary advertisements.

WETHERSTONES. Several residents of this district applied to have the old school there for an htherjEeum.

It wag decided to apply to the Minister of Education for the requisite authority to offer the site for sale by auction.

EAILWAY BAND,

The Dunedin Rail way Band applied for the use of the Beard's gymnasium, as a practiceroom. — Declined.

MULLOCKY GULLT.

An application was received from the rail way workmen at Mullocky Gully for the establishment of a school. — Referred to Chairman and Secretary, with power to act.

SCHOOL GLEBES AND RESIDENCES. A Committee appointed to consider this matter recommended : — "No teacher shall be allowed to lease the residence or glebe attached to his school without the express sanction of the Education Board being previously obtained, Every application for permission to lease a teacher's residence or glebe must be forwarded through the School Committee of the district, accompanied by the minute of such Committee on tho application." — Approved.

ACCOUNTS.

Accounts amounting to L 8776 16s 6d were passed for payment.

NEW SCHOOL BUILDINGS.

The Clerk of the various new works in prograss reported that since the last meeting of the Board, the buildings at Moa Flat, Pukeiviti, Inch Valley, Ofcakia, and Waikouaiti had been finished. The teachers' residences at Saacliffe, Caveisbam, and Naseby, and the Kensington, Outram, and Otepopo schools were being proceeded with satisfactorily.

NOTICE OP MOTION.

Mr Elder gave notice that he would move at next meeting — " That the Secretary be instructed to prepare a li=t of any schools whose teaching staff is in excess of the number allowed by the regulations on the average attendance, with the view of having same reduced."

LEAVE 01' ABSENCE. The Secretary applied for a month's leave oE absence, on account of iilne3S, which was granted. Tho Board then adjourned,