OTAGO EDUCATION BOARD.

Otago Witness, Issue 2471, 24 July 1901, Page 19

OTAGO EDUCATION BOARD.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Otago Education Beard, held in the Education Offices on Wednesday afternoon, wap attended by Mes3rs H. Harraway (chairman), D. Borrie, W. Nicholson, J. Sim, W. Snow, J. Mitchell, and the Rev. P. B. Fra&er. | A DEPVTATIO^. Joseph Lindsay arid E. Ward, two settlers at Ahuriri Flat, waited on the board to ask that provision be made for the education of their children and those of their neighbours. The nearest echool was Reo Moana, about four miles away. They suggested moving the Reo Moaua School to a more convenient situation, or if the board would send a teacher, a loom would be available for holding the school in at Ahuriri Flat. ; The question was referred to a Special Committee of the board to visit the locality and rejDort. IMPROVEMENTS AND KEPAIES. i The following claims for half the cost of effecting sundry improvements and repairs to the board's property were approved: — Dunrobin (gravelling, etc.), £3; Green Island (gravelling, etc), £15 ; Portobello (fencing, 1 * etc.), £2; St. Clair (asphalting), £11; Totara (painting), £2 ss; Waiwera (draining, etc.), £5; Kakanui (painting), £7; Clinton (shelter sheds), £9; Mosgiel (gravelling, etc.), £2 4s Id. MANUAL AND TECHNICAL INSTRUCTION FOR TEACHBBeS. Oscr.r Flamank, secretary to the Educational Institute, wrote forwarding the fol- ' loiving suggestions from the Institute le the best means of using the Government grant for the training of teachers in handiwork: — summer classes should be established for all teachers in Dunedin and for those who ' can come to Dunediu on Saturday ; (2) that summer classes should be established for teachers who cannot come to Dunedin on Saturday ; (3) that Saturday classes should be established in Oamaru, as the teachers of that district were unable to attend the Dunedin classes; (4) that the preliminary course be constituted of (a) cardboard work ■ and (b) modelling in clay or plasticene. t • Mr D. R. White, of the Training College, , Wrote making the folowing suggestions: — " I tWnk that two hours a week should be oiven to the subject, one hour for instructing the students', and the other for practical •work and in supervising the students when giving their lessons to the standard classes. The most suitable time, and one that would make the least dislocation of the present j time-table, would be Tuesday— 9.3o to 10.30 for students, and Tuesday 2.45 to 3.45 for practice in teaching." Mr White further re- I commended that a competent instructor be appointed at the Fame rate ot remuneration i\3 the other visiting teachers-

A committee consisting of Me-prs Borrie, Fracar, and Mitchell were appointed to draw up regulations. i DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOLS. The Port Cha'mers Committee submitted a plan and an estimate of the proposed technical school, and asked the board to approve of them. They further asked that ' steps be taken to have a district high school established. A similar application was road from the Tapamii Committee. The Secretary submitted a mass of information on the whole question of district high schools, which was asked for by the department. It was decided to send this forward, and to agree to the applications for the establishment of district high schools at Port Chalmers tand Tapanui. THE BWEBTJKX SCHOOL. The Secretary read the following letter from the Assistant Secretary to the Education Department :—" In reply to your letter ' of the 19th inst., having reference to the board's application for a grant for the removal of fche Eweburn School and the department's action thereon, I am directed to inform you that the Minister considers that ' the proprieties of official correspondence have not been observed in its action in sending him a copy of a letter commenting on the case in objectionable terms. The , report of the Crown lands officer was an official statement on the case forwarded to him for vetification, and Mr Walker sees no reason to suppose that it is anything but a fair representation of the facts a~ they appeared to the officer in question, nor can he see any justification for the attitude taken by the board in regard to the ca«e." Mr Mitchell moved — " That the board is not conscious \>f having transgressed ' the proprieties of official correspondence' in forwarding a copy of a letter addressed to it by the chairman of the Waipiata School Committee. The board holds that whatever there may have been of discourtesy m connection with the whole subject is rather chargeable against the department in seeking a report on the board's action in removing the Eweburn School buildings without ' intimation to the board. The board cannot refrain from expressing its couviction that the official who is now for the first time disclosed to have been a Crown lands officer either performed his ta*k in a perfunctory manner, or has manifested a sadly defective knowledge of the educational requirements of Ranfurly and neighbourhood." i Mr Nicholson seconded the motion, which | was agreed to on the voice-. | QEXEHAL. i Mi Stewart (Clinton) was granted permission to remove a stable and shed erected by him to Waikouaiti. ' The George street Schoel Committee i-e-

quested the board to erect part of the shed which had been blown down. — It was agreed to give half the cost. The Dunrobin Committee wrote objecting to the removal of a classroom to Heriot. — It was agreed to allow the' room to remain. The request of the Heriot Committee for the erection of a chimney was agree! to. The name of the A&lilcy Downs School was altered to " Taumata " at the request of the committee. This is the name oi the local post office, and signifies " the brow of the hill " Mr T. Mackenzie, M.H.R., was granted leave of absence during the Pailiamentary session. A request was leceived from the Educational Institute asking that its room at the Education Office bo fitted up with library shelves. — The request was acceded to, provided the expenditure did not exceed £10. — Mr Mitchell opposed the vote, contending that until the board carried out their promise to fit up schools with infant de-ks expenses of this kind should not bo incurred. Letters were read from the Albany and North-East Valley Committees i elating to the Government vot° for swimming classes. A report on the question wa-= read from Instiuetor Hanna — It \ia« decided to draw up regulations on the lmc- of Mr Hanna'* recommendation. August 3 was fixed a« the date for the election of the Wairuua Committee. The boaid then went into committee. The monthly mesiinq of the Education Board was resumed on T'mrsday morning. Mr H. Harraway piesided, and there were present — Mes.-is D. Borrie, V\ 7 . Xicolson, W. .Snow, J. Sim, J. Mitchell, and the Rev. P. B Fraser. RESIGNATIONS VXD APPOINTMENTS The following resignation^ were received: John N. Stewart, head teacher, Clinton ; William Cron, Black* : Augiisina Ro-<. Waiherao; Elizabeth M. Harrison, Tahoia ; Elizabeth M. Feny, Akatorc; I-a. M. MacKellar, Macraes; Mary A. White, Lee Stream ; Janet Pater-ou, first assistant, Waikouaiti ; Amy Cotton, pupil teacher, Lawrence. The following- appointments were made: — John N. Stewart, head teacher, Waikouaiti, vice Pinder. promoted ; William Cron, first assistant, Mosgiel, vice Marshall, left the sen ice; KHz. J. Gunn, mistress. Upper Junction, Aice Given, pro- j raoted ; Mary A. White, mistrcs-, PurAanui, vice Johiistone, piomoted. THE rNSPECTIOX DEPARTMENT. The Chaiiman mo-ved, in accordance v. llh ! his notice of motion — " That Mr Richard- ! ■-on and Mr Bossence be in future designated inspectors." In doing -o he thought members would agree with him that the board's' ' inspectors had done their work well. There

was a possibility that in the future the inspectors would come under the direct control of the Education Department, and he felt that the board should take such action as would prevent their inspectors being overlooked. Mr Sim seconded the motion. Mr Fraser did not think that any member of the board would oppose the chairman's motion, and thoy would all agree with him in the well-deserved tiibute he had paid to the inspectorial staff. He (Mr Fraser) oppo«ed the motion on the ground that it practically appointed four iii&pectois on an equal footing. He moved that the following addition be added to the motion:— "That Mr Goyen be appointed chief inspector." Mr Nicolson seconded the propped addition to the motion. He had piovioublv \oted against the matter, but ho had dono oo under a mi^appreheiiMon, and had sine a changed his mind. Mr Snow agreed that Mr (Joyen, a« senior inspector, well d»-erved the appointment of chief inspector. The motion as amended was agreed_ to. INSPECTORS OF MAXtAL IX&THUCTTOX. Mr Fraser asked what communication had been received from the Government or anyone in connection with the appointments ot inspectors of manual and technical iustiucfcion, who were now visiting the schools The Secretary the only communication received was the following telegram : '• Secretary Education Board, Dunedin,— Mr Isaac, organising inspector of manual instruction, will be in lJunedin next we'fek, and will visit a* many schools as possible. Please arrange for inspector or master to accompany him. He will call at office on Monday morning. — E. C. Isaac, Inspector. ' The "Secretary mentioned that he handed this telegram to the inspector-, and asked that one of them would attend to the request. Mr Fraser moved — "' That a copy of tin* telegram be forwarded to the Minister and he be informed that it contains the only. ini'ormation the board has rcceued of Mr Isaac's appointment or duties, and that the board will be pleaded lo afford assistance -to officers of his department if due notice be sent to the board of. the appointment and duties of -uch officers." Mr Nicolson seconded the motion, winch was agreed to. GENERAL. Mr Snow referred to the effect the high price of labour and material had had upon the board's finances, and moved—"' That application be made to. the Government for an extended grant/—M r Sim, in seconding the motion, said that the same grant was now given as was granted when the board had fewer buildings and fewer schools.— The motion was carried. The board went into committee to consider matters in connection with the architect's department. On resuming in open board, the following motions were adopted : , '" (1) That an inspector be appointed to take charge of works. (2) That the salary of ■ such inspector be £250, with tra\elhng ex- J penses." On the motion of Mr Snow it was resolved—" That in cases where a school committee provide a gymnasium which the board deems a suitable building without, co a t to - ihe board, tise board will grant a subsidy j of pound for pound up to £25 for appliances." Mr Snow gave notice of motion as follcws:—"That the sum of pound for pound up to £25 be granted to the Oijtram School for the purchase of gymnastic appliances for the use of the pupil*-, attending the above school." THE BONGAHEJIE CASE. Mr Snow moved— " That the notice given in the House of Jlepvesentatiyes by Mr T. Mackenzie, M.H.E., to reimburse Miss Aimett the full amount she lost by fire while teaching at "the Rongahere School meets with the approval of the board, and that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Minister of Education and Mr ■ Mackenzie." Mr Sim seconded the motion, which was carried without dissent. VALEDICTORY. Mr Borrie said as the meeting that day was the last at which the chairman and MiKyle would be present, seeing that they wcro not offering themselves for *e-election, he had pleasure in moving the following resolution:—'" That the board desire to place on record their appreciation of the services of Messrs Harraway and Kyle as members of this board, and regret that they have not seen their way to again offer their services ior another term. The board also desire to thank Mr Harraway for the valuable services j he has rendered to the cause of education in Otago a-< chairman of this board, and for the kind and courteous consideration at all time* extended to member*." Mr Snow seconded the motion, and said lip did not think they ever had a chairman vfho had conducted the business of the board j in a more satisfactory way and with greater ; credit to himself and thp board. — (Hear. , hear.) He was very soiry Mr Harraway . could not see his way to offer himself for re-election. Mr Nicolson said that, as the younge-t member of the boaid, he desired to express his regret that Mr Harraway had seen fit to retire from the board, and consequently to deprive them of his valuable services as chairman. He. had no hesitation in saying that Mr Han away was one of the straightest ond fairest men it had ever been his good fortune to meot with on any public body. He had, however, followed the example of 'several other good men who had sat at the board's table m lea\ing them, and it was much to be regretted thai he lias done so, for one of the great needs of the day was men who, like Mr Kairaway, wore not i afraid to speak out plainly. One thing their i chairman could be certain about was this, I that his fairness, franknes # ->, and fearless outj spokenness had won for liim the admiration and p«teem of e\ cry member of the board. — (Applause.) 1 Mr Sim also p\pie--f.l liis regret at Mr Harraway's letiremeut. j Mr Fraser no one who 1 .id p\ or occupied a place at the boa id's tdble had been more in earnest in attending to its busine.-i or had given more time to it than their chairman. He had frequently differed from Mr Hairaway's opinion, and had not altered hit own views on certain matters, but he gladly gave it a>. his testimony that no man had conducted the board's business more conscientiously and at greater personal sacnrica than Mr Harraway. — (Hear, hear ) Mr Mitchell acknowledged in fitting terms Mr Harraway" s unfailing courtesy to mem bera, and made further complimentary references to the capable manner in which the chairman had filled his office. Mr Borrie then put the motion, which was agreed to with an emphatic chorus ot "Aye-,." Mr Harraway. in reply, thanked membermost sincerely for their \cry kind remarks

in appreciation of his efforts to conduct tha Business of the board in a straightforward manner. He had always tried to do what was right — (hear, hear), — and if he had mack any mistakes they had been error? of tha head and not of the heart. He had acted' that way during his life, and was not going to depart from it now. He thanked members one and all for the courtesy, generosity, and kindness he had received at their hands and for the support they had always given him. They had differed occasionally, but it would be a bad thing if they did not differ scmetimes.— (Mr Fraser : "Hear, hear.") It would be bad for any institution to be urn by one set of men with one set of; ideas. He slso decree! to thaok the s+aff, troni whom he i>;id received kindness and ■ •very assistance lrom Mr Pryde downwards. Ho had made 1 g»-c-al demand? on them, but they had always <»■ quiewed m his wishes in the most obliging manner. He remembered he went on Hie board with the deteimination that things should be righted that he thought were wrong. He now confessed that he had not discovered these wiong-— (hear, hear), — and he admitted it i retly. . Mr Pry.de had been blamed, and 'he hail blamed hirr for many things. Since h^ (Mr Harraway) had been chairman he had received from Mr Pryde the greatest > c oHsideration, and no matter what demands . lie made on him they had been readily and cheerfully met. They had differed on many ocra*ioui, but Mr Pryde always bowed to his decision, and_ said '" Well, Ji you say it is to be done, then it will be done." He had frequently come in contact with -the inspeciort>, who had ahvfvp been ready to comply vvi v h hi- wishes, and he might say this of (he whole staff: that when anything was waiittd, it wa< done as if they took a pleasuie in doing- it. — (Hear, heai.) He was not bestowing any ful-ome praise, but his rem.'iiks were the outcome of ].or>e- f conv'cl;Oii, arrived at after occupying the chair for "cmc 16 or 17 montlif. He had had three and a-half yeais' experience on the board, and it had been a valuable object- lesson to him. This experience would be of great a-M f .tance tn him in the future. Mi Harraway concluded by again thanking members for the support they had given him during his term of office.