EDUCATION BOARD.

Otago Witness, Issue 2086, 15 February 1894, Page 28

EDUCATION BOARD.

A meeting of the Education Board, held yesterday, was attended by Messrs D. Borrie (chairman), M. Fraer, J. Green, H. Clark, J, J. Ramsay, A. M'Kerronr, T. Mackenzie, M.H.R., Dr Stenhouse, and the Hon. J. MacGregor. The Rae's Junction School Committee wrote asking the board to make extra allowance to the committee, tbeir allowance having been reduced to £8 per year on account of the attendence beiug so small. They desired £10 a year. —It was resolved that £2 be granted for school improvements. Warepa School Committee wrote applying for a subsidy for fencing. — The application was declined Toe Mornington School Committee wrote asking the board to hand over to them the old buildings for shelter sheds. — The request was agreed to. The architect having reported recommending that two new rooms be added to the school teacher's residence at Greytown, his report was approved. The question having been asked why the name of Mr Selby had not been sent down to the Greytown School Committee as one of the candidates for the position of master of the Greytown School, The Secretary stated that Mr Selby, son., came to him about the matter, and he explained to him that his son's name had been overlooked, and he was perfectly satisfied with the explanation. After some discufsion, it was resolved on the motion of Mr Green, seconded by Mr Fraer — " That the attention of the board having been drawn to the alleged injustice done to Mr W. G. Selby, and the board having made inquiry into the whole circumstances, find that a mistake has been made by the officers in not submitting Mr Selby's application for the Greytown teachefship, and express great regret, and instruct the secretary to convey same to Mr Selby." While the case of Mr Selby was being considered, Dr Stenhoxjse asked why Mr Huie'e name had not been sent down for the vacancies last month. The Chairman replied : It was decided by the board that his name should not be sent down to any committee in the meantime. The Wai'wera School Committee wrote asking the board to purchase sections 13, 14-, and 15, block I, as an extension of a school site. — Consideration of the matter was deferred for further inquiry. The Secretary stated that a woman who was fined in the Police Court for not sending her children to school came to him in a great state, aud informed him that she could not pay the fine, and had nothing she could sell to get money to pay it. He sent her to the clerk of the Police Court, who wrote ;— " lie Mary Wil- | liams. On the 16th inst. I intend issuing distress warrant in the above. If that warrant is ineffectual a warrant of comrLitment to prison must follow. If the board are not desirous of enforcing the conviction it may be prevented by instructions tc me from the Minister for Justice, who has powt i* t> > remit the fine and coßts or part thereof."— lt was decided to remit the matter to the school committee who instituted the proceedings again3t the woman. The sub-contractor for the mason work of the addition to the Waiareka School wrote asking the board to see that he was paid the money due to him on the contract. — It was resolved to i instruct the architect to comply with the conditions of the Contractors' Liability Act of 1892." Mrs A. Mathieson, of Waitati, wrote asking that her son, who won a senior scholarship at the recent examinations, should be allowed to attend the Dunedin High School and be paid j £40 a year, in terms of the board's'regulations. After some discussion, Mr Fraer moved — •• That Mrs Mathieson's application for a senior scholarship of £40 at the Dunedin High School for three yeara be granted."— Dr Stenhousk seconded the motion, which was lost, only the mover and seconder of the motion and Mr Green voting for it. All the other members of the board voted against the motion. — After the motion had been declared lost, Mr Green said he would give notice for next meeting — •* That the resolution arrived at in response to Mrs Mathieson's letter of the Bth inst. be rescinded." He believed her son was a very clever boy, and as she was exceedingly poor it would simply mean that the boy would not get cduoat ion if the resolution were given effect to. The Hon. J. MacGregor also gave notice that he would move— "(1) That the scholarship regulations be so amended as to entitle senior scholars at their option to attend either a District High School, one of the High Schools in Dunedin or Oamaru, or Lincoln College, and that in the case of a senior scholar electing to attend one of the High Schools in Dunedin, in Oamaru, or the Lincoln College, the amount of the scholarship shall be £40 if in the judgment of the board the scholar cannot reasonably be required to reside at home. (2) That this amendment shall be applicable to scholarships granted at the January meeting." Mr Barton, ot Portobello, wrote stating that owing to the uncertainty of the ferry service and the length of tima which his son would be from home, it would be impossible for the boy to attend the Port Chalmers High School.— lt was decided to allow the boy to attend the Dunedin High School and to pay him the usual allowance. It was decided to grant two additional junior | and two additional senior scholarships to the competitors who stood eleventh and twelfth on the lisb this year. The scholarships will consequently ba awarded to Susannah Knight, High shreeb School ; Eva M. Randle, Girls' High School ; Percy Seelye, Mornington School ; and William Neill, Normal School. The board then adjourned until to-day.