SCHOOL COMMITTEES' CONFERENCECE.

Otago Witness, Volume 02, Issue 2420, 2 August 1900, Page 12

SCHOOL COMMITTEES' CONFERENCECE.

The following is the anasal report of the Dunediu and Suburban School Committees' Conference, submitted to tho meeting at the Normal school on Friday evening: —

There have been no special meetings of the conference during the past year. On two occpsions the executive ccnsideied the desuabihty of calling the conference together to discuss ccitain questions at th.i time occupying the attention ol the Education JBcard, but after due consideiation it was thought unnecessary to call a special meeting. There is, thereiore, nothing to report so lar as die proceedings, of the coxifeituce is concerned. There are, Jiowever, one or two matters to which it may not ba out oi place to refer.

There are f<j v v things which speak so strongly in justification of the existence ol this conference as a lecord of those matters which at one time were advocated by it, and which are now accomplished fact's. Among these may be mentioned " The abolition ot the cumulative vcte," "A definition of the woid householder," " Ihe appointment of truant officers," " The lighten. jig- oi the syllabus, and the transference oJ^ several subjects norn pass to class subjects," Uniformity in. the observance of school holidays, ' and " The establishment of a court of appeal lor tepchers." Most of these things were advocated as early as 1884. Amongst other matters discxit,sed by the conference sitice the commeiicement of its existence are

" The mode oi E.ppointment of teachers," " Uniformity of school books," '" The advocacy of the inspectors being under the contro: oi the jilmistef of Education, and reniovabie noni one district to another," and " The mode of electing the Education ±ioaru3." As regards the election of Education Boaids, the conference in 1334 passed a resolution in favour oi giving two otes to a committee v/nose school had more than 250 scholars on its roll. Since the passing of the act of 1591, which provides for schools of an average attendance not exceeding 25 having a committee of ii\e, and of an average attendance not exceeding 200 a committee ot seven, and exceeding 200 a committee of mue, tliis conference has advocated giving each individual committeeman a vote. A bill to give effect to tiu3 proposal li-is low been twice before Parliament, and it is to be hoped that the Minister of Educrtion will see his way to lcmtrocluec is this session, with greater success. Various schemes have been discussed iroin time to time with uiie view cr giving the coimnrttess a vo'ang pov.er more in j.o L jc-tio^ co liie Liucbcj oi cLiidren. attending their respective schools, or the number ot householders iepre&ented by them. While it i& not claimed that the piopos?l to gA'e votes to individual coimmtteemeii would give any exact lepiesentation, it is advocated as a simple method ol at any rat,3 giviiig a more equitable representation than exists at the picsent time.

The conference has olso frequently pioleswd against the Education Board elections; extending over cne month. The objections to t ! i.s have bten to a ceitahi e::(,e:i*. rcinovad by the refusal of the press to publish the returns. This, howcvei, dopa not lemove the necessity for still pressing £or tn.is refc/un. The desirability oi navmg the in&pectoro xslacect xindej: the control of the Mirastei.- of Education mighi, -well also be again brought luidei- the Minister's attention.

The abolition of the individual standard pass, which was Atlvo3«iied by the conference at its last annual meeting, has now been brought about. It may bs premature yet to say wnethei: the change will citect all that vaa expected ol it, and &ome modification of the regulations may be required to meet the altered circiinistances. There is, however, season to fear that so lar, instead of die children being, as it was hoped, relieved from the pressure of examination work, the pressure iias rather been increased.

The executive were pleased to nota a revival of interest m Arbor Jay, and trust that every committee will feel it to be its duty on the Government holiday, if possible, or it the proclaimed holiday is Thought unsrztable for ibis part ol the colony, then on some other suitable day, to take the opportunity of doing something m the way of tree-planting and ot bringing the importance of the subject prominently before Jie children. The executive are also glad to note that the Government are recognising the importance oi military training for the boys in the public schools. Cadet corps are in future to be under His control of the Education department. It is to be hoped that a great stimulus will bs given to this movement, and that school committees will do all in their power, by the formation of cadci corps and otherwise,, to- see that the militaiy education of the boys is not neglected. The great privileges of belonging to a iinited Empire carry with them responsibilities and dangers, and if this colony is worthily to pertorni its part it musi commence with the boys in its public schools. Moreover, the discipline and training of the cadet corps will react beneficially upon the' order of the school and the deportment of the boys. The executive, however, venture to say that it will be a mistake for the Defence depaitment to suppose that, having handed the* matter over to the Education department, me duty of the former department is at an ,end. I?ew of the teachers have leceived the . requisite training to qtialify them to give the necessary military insuuetion. The Defence department should draw up suitable regulations, and should be prepared to supply such competent military instructors as the Education department may consider necessary for the efficient cariying out of the work.

Theie are other matters of which, notice of motion has been given, and which, will be biought before the annual meeting by various delegates. Your committee desire to refer to one more subject only, and that is the allimportant one of finance. The previously curtailed amount at the disposal of committees has been further largely cvi tailed during the past year. The capitation grant, which was originally £± ss, has on seveial occasions been i educed, but never raised, and now stands at £3 15s, while many additional claims have bean made upon the department, the number of small schools having gieatly increased. Many of the buildings are out ot repair. Reductions have been made in the salaries of the teachers, who are underpaid, and while we aie enjoying a period of prosperity and inducements are offering in other walks of life capable men are leaving, and will continue to leave, and capable youths will not join the service. It is not too much to say that the Department of Education i& bemjj starved, and that tliis condition of things is fraught with great danger to the cause of education in the colony. It is high time to make a vigorous protest and a united effort, in order to induce the Government to increase the capitation grant. The conference will be asked, to express it3elf upon the question.

In conclusion, your committee hope that in. the record, of its past the conference will find much to encourage it in the vigorous prosecution of its future labours, and that it may long continue to carry on its good work.

A new and rare delicacy is provided for the table in Stachy's Affinis, a variety of Chinese artichoke. The tubers are pioduced in great abundance, and when cooked or pickled form a delightful dish. Eaten raw, they are crisp and of a fine nutty flavour. Nhnnio and Blair soil Staoliy's Affinis at 2s 6d per pound, or post free S3 ncr douM,