EDUCATION BOARD.

Otago Witness, Issue 2051, 15 June 1893, Page 28

EDUCATION BOARD.

A meeting of the Education Board was held yesterday afternoon, and attendedjby Mr D. Borrie (chairman), the Hon. J. Macgregor, M.L.C , Dr Stenhouse, Messrs M. Fraer, J. J. Ramsay, J. Green, H. Clark, T. Mackenzie, M.H.R., and A. M'Kerrow. PORT CHALMERS. Mr A. Thomson, secretary of the Port Chalmers School Committee, asked the board to assist the committee in completing the asphalting of the school grounds. The committee had, up to date, spent the sum of £60 without any assistance from the board, and had asphalted 1040 yards. There remained to be finished 927 yards.—- The Secretary stated that the Lawn Tennis Club did a good part of the asphalting. Mr Frabr : We have no business to provide a court for the club to play on.— Mr Ramsay thought the board bed nothing to do with the patties who asphalted the ground,— ln reply to a question, the Secretary said the remaining work woukTcost £45.— 1t was agreed to allow half the co^t of the work. RAVENSBOURNE. Mr W. Barclay, chairman of a meeting of householders held at Ravenbbourne, wrote that for some years the local committee had given photograph certificates for good attendance, but last year ib wa3 resolved nob to follow the usual practice. Ab bhe last meeting of householders it was decided that the photograph certificates should nob be given this jear, but the new committee had intimated that they would grant the certificates as formerly. The writer asked the board to restrain the committee from doing what they were nob authorised to do, and what was entirely contrary to the declared with of the householders. The letter was received. wylie's crossing. Messrs Borrie and Clark reported that they had visited Wylie's Crossing and questioned a number of residents. After going fully into the whole matter they were of opinion that there was no reason why the board should alter their decision not to build a school at the crossing. The report was adopted. ASHLEY DOWNS. In connection with a memorial from settlers at Ashley Downs for a school, Mr Mackenzie said he had visited the district at the invitation of a number of the settlers. They showed him where they would like the school erected, and upon the question of site they said they were willing to pay for the site themselves and cart the material necessary

for the building from the railway station. They also stated to him that the distance from the nearest school was six mile 3. Beyond the site where they asked that the Echool should be built there was a large extent of country, called the Clydevale estate, which, if it were occupied, would no doubt provide a considerable number of scholars for a school. Ihe board agreed that ib would be better to consider the question during the summer months than at present.

MOSGIEL.

Mr J. Millar, chairman of the Mosgiel School Committee, wrote :— " (1) In the event of a sudden outbreak of infectious disease, has the chairman of a tchool committee power to close the school forthwith, or must the committee decide the matter irrespective of the urgency of the case ? If so, who is responsible for calling a special meeting or blamable for neglecting to do it ? (2) Does the chairman overstep his authority by closing the school without the concurrence of the head master, at the same time calling a meeting of the committee for the evening of the same day of closing ? (3) Has a head master power to close the school under any circumstances whatever ? (4) What clause of the Education Act or precedent would be a proper guide for head masters and chairmen in such cases ?" — Ifc was agreed to inform the writer that the board was of opinion that in cases of urgency the chairman should take the responsibility ot closing the school.

GENERAL.

It was agreed to exchange a piece of land belonging to the school grounds, Duutroon, with the Railway department for a road. The Coal Creek School Committee submitted a list of questions, upon which they asked the board to get the advice of its solicitors.— The letter was received, the board expressing the opinion that they were in no way called upon to interfere between the committee and the householders. The application of the Broad Bay School Committee for forms for a shed was declined.

The chairman and the secretary were empowered to open negotiations with the School Commissioners and the Waitaki High School Board with the view of getting extensions of the school sites to the schools in the Waiareka and Kakanui districts.