EDUCATION BOARD.

Otago Witness, Issue 2623, 22 June 1904, Page 13

EDUCATION BOARD.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Otago Education Board, held on Wednesday afternoon, .vas attended by Messrs W. Snow (chairman). D. Borrie, R. Pcattio, W. Nioolson, A. Marshall, J. Mitchell, J. Sim, and T. Mackenzie, M.H R. Claims for half cost of improvements were granted as under: — Caversham, grounds improvement, £3 ; Heriot, repairs to building, £1 10s ; Stonebum, erection of shed, £1 16s ; Sution, erection of outbuildings, £17 ; Maheno, £3 17s 6d; Pukeiwifcahi, fencing, £5 ; Warepa, renewal of fencing, £5 ss. Application was made by the Morningt-on School Committee for £16 7b for gymnasium lining. The Secretary stated that £he committee had already received the full grant of £150, and other committees had in some cases provided lining at their own expense. — Tho application was declined. Consideration of the application of settlers at Washpool Creek for a school was deferred till next meeting, the secretary in tEe- meantime to procure all necessary information.

An application for addition to the Kurow School residence was referred to the architect to report. An application was received from Mr Hopkirk asking that bis daughter's scholarship be transferred to the Napier High School, and it was resolved that the transfer be recommended

The Dunedin and Suburban Schools Committees' Conference forwarded resolution in favour of the proposed scheme of the Governor for the more enlivened teaching of Imperial history by means of illustrated lectures. — Resolved, that the conference be informed that the board would do all in its power to promote the object.

SCHOOL BOOKS

A circular waa received from, the Education Department asking for a list of school books the adoption of which might be rendered desirable by the changes in tho syllabus. — Chief-inspector Goyen reported - that the changes in the syllabus did not seem to t&nder necessary many changes in the board's list of books. Tho syllabus was well met by the present readers in use. The history books now in use might be retained until the children using them had ■worked their way through th© school. Ultimately two others might be substituted for them, which should be used with geography readers as the second reading books required by the regulations. The only new books urgently needed were geography readers, but even these could be done without for another year. Th© inspectors were aware of no book that fully met the requirements in this eubject. Suitable history books existed in considerable number. It was decided to forward a copy of the inspector's report to the Minister, and inform him, that the board did not at present consider any change necessary in the books used in Otago.

SCHOLAB SHIPS.

Tli© committee appointed to review the echolarship regulations reported as follows: "Tour committee has to report that, since last meeting, the- secretary has received! the sanction of the Minister for alterations desired by resolution of the board of 18th February last, reducing the allowance for senior scholarships in regulations 14a, 14b, and 140 from £12 10s to £10; that new syllabuses for junior civil service and for matriculation are not yet to hand, and that, pending receipt of tb.€<m, it would be- wrong to enter into a review of the- whole regulations, which may be deferred to a later date in this year." — The report was adopted.

TECHNICAL SCHOOL.

The Superintendent of the Technical Classes Association wrote asking what efceps the board waa taking to bring under the notice of the Education Department the pressing need that existed for increased accommodation at the Dunedin Technical School. It had been suggested that unif orm and effective action would probably be morespeedily attained if the board and the managers of the Technical School were to meet and agree upon the line of action to be pursued. — It was resolved to inform the association that the board had already taken steps to bring under the notice of the department th© urgent need for school buildings, but that no answer Lad been yet received.

PUPIL TE4CHER BEGTJLATIONS.

The Education Department forwarded a copy of suggestions for th© amendment of pupil teacher regulations for the consideration of the board and its inspectors. — Inspector Goy&n wrote that tho latter approved of the proposed regulations, which were in agreement with the resolutions of the recent inspectors' Conference. — It was decided to inform tho Minister that when the board reconsidered the pupil teacher regulations the recommendations submitted: should receive consideration.

CONGBATULATOBY.

On the motion of Mr Mackenzie, it was resolved — "That this board desires to place on record its sincere gratification at the success attained by Mr James Allan Thomson, formerly a pupil of the Eaikorai School, and takes this opportunity of congratulating that gentleman on the brilliancy of his achievement — nam-ely, in winning the JRhodes Scholarship, and further desires to express the hope that every success may attend his future career." The mover said the board might well be gratified at the suocess of a former pupil of one of its schools, which emphasised the fact that the system of education carried on in this district was undoubtedly the first in the colony. The -motion was carried unanimously. Three months' leave of absence was granted Mr Thomas Mackenzie, M.H.R. The board then went into committee.

Thursday's meeting of the Education Board was attended by Messrs .W. Snow (chairman), D. Borrie, R. Peattie, W. Nicolson, A. Marshall, J. Sim, T. Mackenzie, M.H.R , and the Hon. T. Fergus.

Accounts amounting to £8233 12s 3d were passed for payment.

Awamoko, Hamiltons, and Gimmerburn Schools having failed to elect committees, Messrs J. Johnston, J. H. Roberts, and J. Scott were appointed commissioners respectively for the same in the order named.

EESIGXATIOX3.

The following resignations were accepted : —Jemima E. Masters, head teacher, Hokonga ; Victoria H. W. Eagan, head teacher, Maruiomato ; Eudora de Lambert, head teacher, Tokorahi ; Mary Ralston, mistress, Teaneraki ; John Murray, first " Hampden.

APPOINTMENTS.

The following appointments were confirmed: — L. E. Ellison, head teacher, Walton, vice D. S. Mason, left the service ; William G. Burns, head teacher, Bald Hill, vice J. D. Burnard, transferred ; Flora L. Hopcraft, head teacher, Merino Downs, vice Isabella Dunlop, transferred ; Jemima E. Masters, head teacher. Beaumont, vice A. J. Smith, left the service; Ellen WoodhilJ, mie'tress, St. Bathans, vice Georgina M'Kenzie, promoted; Joseph Hunter, second assistant, Arthur Street, vice P. G. Stewart, promoted ; Mary Ralston, assistant, Forbury, vice Harriet Gow, left the service ; Isabel E. Brown, extra assistant, Naseby, vice Kate Faulks, transferred.

VACCINATION.

A letter was received from the Union Street School Committee to the effect that, in view of the health officer's circular re vaccination having to be carried into effect, the teachers had asked the committee to draw the board's attention to the fact that when the inspectors' examination took place so many children would be away, or in an unfit state of health to be examined, that th« result of the examination would be materially affected. The board having referred the above letter to Dr Ogston, the latter wrote that the circular mentioned did not come from him, but might have come from the Chief Health Officer. It was highly desirable that all school children should be vaccinated, but that it should interfere as little as possible ,witb examinations. If it was impressed on teachers and parents that vaccination must be done as early as possible, and not neglected, it might be put off for a time.

It was decided to forward a copy of Dr Ogston's letter to the Union Street School Committee.

SELECTION OT TEACHEES

Mr Mackenzie asked that consideration be postponed of the notice of motion he had given as follows: — "That, inasmuch as the present system of selection of teachers' names for vacancies is in many instances unsatisfactory, alike to candidates and committees, this board refers the whole question to a select committee, consisting of Mr Peattie, M.A., the Hon. T. Fergus, Mr W. Nicolson, and the mover, with instructions to inquire into and report on the practicability or otherwise of classification of schools, the defining of candidates' qualifications thereto, bearing in mind in that connection the propriety of extending to country teachers the advantages of town opportunities, and any other matter in connection with this important subject." Mr Mackenzie said he would be going north next week, and the whole of his time was taken up between now and his departure. It would, therefore, be quite impossible for him to give the time necessary for so important a matter. It seemed to him also that the question should come before the board after the election was over, as a third of the members would presently be retiring. Consideration wes deferred, and the motion allowed to stand over.

The board then went into committee, adjourning shortly afterwards.