EDUCATIONAL. EDUCATION BOARD.

Otago Witness, Issue 1640, 28 April 1883, Page 11

EDUCATIONAL. EDUCATION BOARD.

The ordinary meeting of the Board was held yesterday. Present— The Chairman (Professor Shand), Messrs Begg, <Slark, Elder, Fergus, Fraer, Green, J. M'Kenzie, and Ramsay.

APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN.

Mr Frakk had much pleasure in proposing that Professor Shand be re-appointed Chairman for the next twelve months. Professor Shand had devoted a great deal of valuable time to the duties, and he thought it was the smallest compliment they could pay him to reelect him.

Mr Beog seconded the motion, which was carried imanimoiisl '

y. Professor Siiand thanked the Board sincerely for the compliment they had paid him. l£e must say that he had found the duties of the office less onerous than he had anticipated, and he attributed that entirely to the hearty support he had received from the whole of his ' colleagues. Under these circumstances he was encouraged to continue for another year.

DEPUTATION FROM DDNEDIN SCHOOL COM- * MITTEE. Messrs M. W. Green, M.H.R., and J. Robin, and the Secretary (Mr S. James) 'attended as a deputation from the Dunedin School Committee.

Mr Green explainod that the deputation waited upon the Board in refereuce, first, to school buildings. The first was Mr Park's school— the William street School, — in connec- ' tion with which there were many disadvantages. On wet days' the playground was in a wretched state, as it was composed of clay mud, and, apart from that, the school waß overcrowded. Mr Robin and himself had been through the school on various occasions. Some at least of . the classrooms were overcrowded, and. the ventilation was so bad that they did" not" wonder the health of the teachers was being . injured. One of the teachers had been com- ' pelled to leave the school purely on that account. With regard to children coming to the school from other districts, of course the Board was aware that this' school was on the skirt of the city boundary, and naturally the children from Mornington and the neighbourhood would regard that as their proper school. They had also examined the Mornington School, and found that two new rooms had been added during the last month. Notwithstanding that, it could not accommodate more than 50 additional children. With regard to Mr Barrett's school, the Committee had brought under the notice of the Board the necessity of adding to it another storey, if possible. That school was ■certainly overcrowded. With regard to Mr Park's school, he thought it would be wise to sell that property, if possible, and get a larger*' pieceof ground. The next matter he wished to mention was the Normal School. When the Committee gave a picnic to the school children at Mosgiel they took it upon themselves to ask the Normal School Children to join ; but the Committee had to provide the cost. They - thought the Board would assist them in some measure; however, that fell through. The.' Committee understood that the training part of the institution had now been placed on a • more independent footing, and that the other part of the institution was now more like one,of the district schools. They wished to aßk the Board whether there was any real reason-, why that part of the Normal School should not also be under the charge of the Committee; They felt that when anything was done in con-, nection with the other schools, if they left out the Normal School the children were placed at a disadvantage. The Chairman said the Board would give "" these matters their, best consideration. Some ■ of them were of very great importance. • Ha referred more especially to the first matter— the question of accommodation for scholars in* the city of Dunedin. The Board had already done a great deal in the day of extending tho school accommodation ; and he had no doubt". ! whatever, with regard to the southern part of.' the town, that it was simply, a question of funds whether more accommodation should be . provided or not. As far as the present vote was concerned, he might tell them that the whole of it , for the present year was already/ allocated ; so that it was quite impossible for them to do anything in the -matter at present. He had no doubt, however, that all the members of the Board were agreed that the accommodation provided in the southern part- of the city was not bo ample as in the northern part. If they > saw their way clear, he had no doubt the Board ■would be willing to increase the accommodation in the southern part of the city. Speaking for himself, he should say that there was very great difficulty in putting the practising department of the Normal School under , the School Committee. It was not the case that the practising department had been separated, or could be separated, from the training department. They were essential parts of one institution. If the rector and head master of the practising department were each under separate authorities he did not see how the arrangement could possibly work. With regard to the other matters mentioned, he thought some of tha works should be done by the Board, and others by the Committee. He was sorry that Mr Park's house, should be in the bad state described, but the blame must rest with the Committee, because hitherto the interiors of the residences had been in the exclusive charge of the Committee. The Board would give these ■ subjects their best consideration, and would communicate their decision to the Committee. One of the members of the Board drew the attention of the deputation to the fact that three-quarters of an hour had been occupied in the discussion of questions most., if not all, of which might have been dealt with by letter. ' MAUNGATUA SCHOOLMASTER'S BEBIDENOE. A deputation from' Maungatua School Committee represented that the schoolmaster's residence was in very bad repair, and that it would be a waste of money to spend anything r< on the present building. —The Board promised to give the matter consideration.

INSPECTOR GOYEN AND THE WALTON FABK

SCHOOLMASTER. A deputation from the Walton Park School Committee complained of the action of Inspector Goyen, who was said to have acted rudely towards the teacher, and the latter had resigned in consequence. The Chairman said that Mr Goyen had reported certain matters regarding this teacher, who had been called upon to reply. When t v 1 Board came to consider the question they w « have both sides before them. oUta inThe 6 BSof lon Said th6y had M1 Cr^Menoe^

The Chairman and Messrs Olp- , n were appointed a committee " ' ri . : aa< ? w ? e Jxthe complaint lodged by Ins- J° uire "£,' the treatment he recei- &&* Go l e n ?L*? master of the Walter f jof the headoccasion of his last v ! .- Park Sch ° o1 on the ' •sit.

FINANCE , The followir oommhubb's report. Your Con- .*g report was adopted :— matters r<-' having considered the various; recomtr j*e*red to it, begs to make the followingTh r ..endations: — , . .. „ .4fi tUe lollowinff sums be granted to the unaer«-

mentioned school committees for completion of school buildings : Saddle Hill, £30 ; Manuka, £8 10s ; Waianakarua, £10 ; Alexandra, £13 ; Beaumont, £10 ; Circle Mill, £3. Otokia.— That the clerk of works bo instructed to report upon the application from this district for a grant for tepai s. Waipori.— That the application for enlargement of the eld classroom be declined, but that the funiituio applied for be supplied. Kensington.— That this School Committee's application for a < ings and painting be declined. Caversham — Your Committee recommends that this Committett'B application for enlargement of the maatur's residence be postponed for further infonnaKaitangatu.— That the application from this district for ventilation of old classrooms be declined in the meantime. , „ , Shag Valley.— Your Committee recommends that the consent of the Minister of Education be asked for the sale of the school site and old buildings at Shag Valley by auction. . Mosgiel. — That a committee, consisting of the Chairman and Messrs Fergus and Clark, be appointed to inquire and report regarding the purchase of a school site at Mosgiel. Awamoko.— That part of section 37, block I, Awamoko, be purchased at a cost of £20 as a school site, and that the present school buildings at Awamoko be removed thereon. Waiho'a Gorge,— That the application of the master Ofthissihool for three months' leave of absence on full pay be declined. North East Valley. — Your Committee recommends that .the Board itself sell the old school buildings in this district, and apply the proceeds to the erection of a janitor's residence at the school. Waiwera 1 ownship. — That the Secretary be empowered to ascertain the terms on which an arrangement can be made for the purchase of a school sito.

NOEMAL SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT. The following report was adopted : — April 19th, 1533. Your Committee beg to submit the following recommendations :—: —

1. That Mr A. M. Braik be appointed teacher of singing in the Normal School, at a salary of £40 per annum.

2. That in accordance with the recommendations of the Rector of the Normal §cho< 1 and Inspector Petrie, the Board make the following alterations in regard to the scholarship examination at the Normal School :— (ft) That the entrance and scholarship examinations remain as .specified in the regulations recently adopted by the Board. (6) That the schularship examination be held by the inspectors at the same time as the pupil - teacher examination, (c) That the entrance examination be conducted by the officers of the Normal School about the opening of the seesion. (d) That all who gain bursaries or scholarships be admitted to the Normal School without further examination, (c) That at least three scholarships be awarded yearly, if a sufficient number of competitors satisfy the conditions prescribed, (f) That in consideration of the additional duties thus thrown upon the inspectors, Mr Wilkinson be required to give them his assistance in conducting the examinations for Education Board scholarships. 3. That in consideration of the short notice that the students had of the alteration of the regulations respecting scholarships, and in consideration also of the circumstance that the failures recorded are almost all in the subject of school management, the Board permit for this time those scholars of the Normal School who have obtained partial passes for Glass E to retain their scholarships.

BESIGNATTONB.

The following resignations were accepted : — J. F. Botting, head teacher, Eweburn; N. M'Leod, do, Akatore ; F. Joseph, head master, Waihola Gorge; C. C. Gow, schoolmistress, Waihola Gorge; F. E. Grant, do, Forbury; M. M. Walker, second assistant, do ; Bertha Bicknell, third assistant, Oamaru North ; W. Bennett, head teacher, Ravensbourne ; Jane Goulding, do, Kawarau Gorge ; H. F. Wilson, do, Blackstone Hill ; Henry Mitchell, do, Crookston ; F. J. Nicoll, pupil teacher, Lawrence.

APPOINTMENTS.

The following appointments were made :— W. Bennett, head teacher, Macandrew road (new appointment) ;• Agnes Foray th, schoolmistress, (do do) ; Jane White, head teacher, Eweburn, vice Botting (resigned) ; W. H. Wicks, do, Southbridge, vice Ayson (resigned) ; David Cossgreve, do,_ Maheno, vice M'Gregor (resigned) ; Henry Mitchell, do, Kaihiku, vice Clarke (promoted) ; A. W. Tindall, do, Waianakarua (new appointment) ; Jane Goulding, third assistant, Oamaru North, vice Bicknell (transferred); Agnes Donald, pupil teacher, George street (new appointment) ; Jane Lowe, do, William street, vice Cohen (left the service) : W. Burnside, do, Union street, vice Powell (do) ; Rosetta King, do, Palmerston, vice Arkle (resigned).

HEAD MASTER, MAOANDREW ROAD SCHOOL. When the list of appointments came up for approval, that of Mr Bennett to the Macandrew road School was set apart on the motion of Mr Begg, who said he wished it held over until a letter from Mr Murray could be read. He had reasons for acting in this manner, but they could be given when the letter was read. He might say now, however, that Mr Murray was a candidate for the position of teacher at this school,- but that through a misconception, to use a mild term, his name had not been put on the lißt of qualified applicants which was sent to the Committee. A grievous wrong had thereoy been done to Mr Murray, who had a tight to have his name submitted. Mr GrEEEN said he had heard something of this matter, and he joined in the regret exSubsequently a letter was read from Mr Murray, head master of the Outram School, asking why bis name had not been forwarded as a candidate for the appointment of head master of the Macandrew road School when the names of teachers holding lower qualifications than himself had been forwarded.

Mr Begg moved — "That the Board regrets that, through a misapprehension of the true circumstances of the case, Mr Murray's name was not forwarded to the Macandrew road School Committee ; but as the Committee has already recommended another applicant for the appointment, it is now inexpedient to reopen the matter." In the Appointments Committee, when Mr Murray's name came up, Mr FergusMr Fergus objected to anything that had taken place in Committee being mentioned. He thought it was very dishonourable on the part of Mr Begg to open up matters that had occurred in Committee at this stage. It was a thing he never heard of before, and he did not suppose any gentleman on the Board would do so——

Mr Begg appealed to the Chairman against this interruption. The Chairman said that,. so far as the point of order was concerned, he must say he could nob see that Mr Begg was out of order. What had occurred was not when the Board was in Committee. Mr Begg was referring to what took place at a meeting of a sub-committee of the Board. It might or might not be proper to do so, but he was not aware that in doing so Mr Begg was out of order. Mr Geeen said that before proceeding furfjj^e.r he would like to have something more defin/*e. Were they to understand that anythincwiif* i n Committee might be repeated at amfetmg o* the Board? If that waa to be considered rig* fc and P ro Per, there could be no possible necessh/ v for ever S 01n & into Oommittee. " „.. „ , , The Chairman dre>"\ a distmctzon between a sub-committee of the h^ T A^ nd » committee of the Board as a whole. .T hen . * fae Board as a whole went into Committ^ 8 lfc w * a wl j*. a view of confining discussion to of the Board. Mr Clark thought it was of no u&? J° °° n * sider matters in Committee if what toot* pIa j e there was to be referred to in open BoJ** a '

There was a special reason why the proceedings of the Appointments Committee should be kept private, because the qualifications and personal character of the teachers were necessarily brought under discussion. Mr M'Kknzie did not think it was possible to lay down a cast-iron rule. Mr Begg wished to give reasons why this motion should be carried, and he should not be debarred from referring to what took place. The Chairman said he would like an expression of opinion as to whether the proceedings of the Appointments Committee should be regarded as private. Mr Beg a thought all thiß discussion was beside the question. He was going to show how he and others were misled Mr Grebn : By Mr Fergus ? Mr Begg: Yes.

Mr Green objected very strongly to that. The Chairman suggested that they should go into Committee of the whole to consider the matter. It was resolved to go into Committee on the casting vote of the Chairman, Mr Fergus declining to vote. In Committee the motion proposed by Mr Begg (given above) was carried, Mr Fergus voting against it.

SALARIES OP TKAOHEBS IN SMALL SCHOOLS.

The Committee recommended that the salaries paid to the teachers of schools whose average attendance is under 35 be as follows : — Aided schools, salaries as at present j from 20 to 25, salary £124 for male teachers, and £85 for female teachers ; from 25 to 35, salary £143 to £152 for male teachers, and £100 to £109 for female teachers ; rate of increase, £5 for five pupils. The Committee recommend that female teachers be appointed to such schools, except in cases where the circumstances render the appointment of a female teacher unsuitable.

The report was adopted, but the reductions are to apply only to future appointments. CALEDONIAN SOCIETY'S CLASSES.

The use of the Normal School was granted > to the Caledonian Society for holding its evening classes during the winter months.

SCHOOL AT LOWBUKN. Mr Fergus moved that a new school be established at Lowburn. — The Inspector reported against the proposal. — After discussion the motion was adjourned until further information could be obtained.

SCHOOL AT HINDON. An application from residents at Hindon for the establishment of a school there was received. The Inspector reported favourably. — The Board resolved to proclaim Hindon a new educational district, and to establish a school there.

DRTBREAD SOHOOL. On the application of the Committee, it was resolved to change the name of Drybread School to Matakanui School. SANITARY CONDITION OF DUNEDIN SCHOOLS. A letter was received from the Town Clerk enclosing the report of the health officer (Dr Maunsell) on the sanitary condition of the Dunedin schools. — Referred to Finance Committee.

ACCOUNTS. Accounts amounting to £6695 Is lid were passed.

PUPIL TEAOHEBS. It was decided to appoint a pupil teacher to the Union street School in the place of Mr Peter Stewart, who, owing to ill health, is unable to go on with his work ; Mr Stewart to receive the first appointment on his re covery.

It was decided to transfer Mr Robert Thomson from the District High School, Oamaru, to the North School, Oamaru, on account of the falling off in attendance at the former school. It was decided to dispense with the services of pupil teachers at Lovell's Flat and Tuapeka Mouth, owing to the falling off in attendance at these schools. The Board then adjourned.