EDUCATION BOARD.

Otago Witness, Volume 23, Issue 2684, 23 August 1905, Page 13

EDUCATION BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the Education j Board, held on Wednesday, was attended by Messrs Eorrie (chairman), Snow, M'Kerrow, Nicolson, Marshall, Sim, Mitchell, T. Maokenzie, M.H.R., and the Hon. T. Fergus. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN. Mr M'Kerrow' moved, and Mr Fergus seconded, that Mr Bocrrie be re-e!ec<.ed { chairman for the ensuing year. Both mover and seconder spoke highly of the manner in which Mr Borne had presided over tho board. — The motion was carried unanimously, Mr Borxie thanking membexs " for the honour conferred upon him. \ THE LATE 11H CLARK. The Chairman moved — "That the board deeply regrets the death of Mr Henry Clark, and wishes to express its deepest sympathy with his family in their sore bereavement. The board also desires to place on record its appreciation of the valuable services rendered by_ him to tho cause of education during the 20 years he held a seat on this board ; this resolution to be inserted in the minutes, and a copy sent to his family. Mr Snow seconded the motion, he, as well as the chairman and other members, speaking very highly of the late Mr Clark. The motion was carried in the customary manner on such an occasion. It was arranged that the board should be officially represented at Mr Clark's funeral, and that the board adjourn from the close of the meeting till 8 o'clock next evening as a mark of respect to his memory. DEPUTATION FROM HIGH STEEET. Dr Church and Mr D. Wishart, representing the High Street School Committee, waited on the board in reference to the vacancy at tho school of the second assistant's position. I Dr Church explained that two names were submitted to the committee by tho boai'd for the position. The committee carefully considered the question, and resolved to approach the board to see if it would advertise the position again, as its opinion was that the position was suoh an importani one that it would like to have more names before it before makiug a selection. The committee had not the slightest desire to run counter to the board. Mr Wishart said a former chairman o<. the committee had made a rule to which the committee adhered— that it would not appoint an applicant whom it had not seen personally. In the present case only one of the two! applicants mentioned had been seen by the committee. Mr Fergus pointed out that the committee was taking up an untenable position in that respect. , II was resolved to advertise for further applications. CE2* TR ALIS ATION. The following memorandum was^ received from the Inspector-general of Schools: — In reply to your letter of 12th May, forwarding a copy of rssohitions passsd by the bo-aid numbered 1 to 5, I am directed by the Minister to say that, although the teiin3 of the first resolution appear to ba somewhat vague, there seem to bo contained in it two allegations or implications— namely: (1) That_teridoncic.s of the Education Department are centralising tendencies, and (2) that Parliament has been diminishing the power of Education Boards. As to the latter point, Parliament has certainly by the " Public School Teacliers' Salaries Act, 1901," fixed the salaries payable to teachers, but it has at the same time provided by statute for the amount required for the payment of salaries so fixad. The Parliamentei-y Committee has also made recommendations for the expenditure of the building votes for public school. 8 , which, however, th« department ha.s carried out in c, form that allowed the boards a somewhat greater degree of liberty than tJie committee recommended. Tk-e department, I presume, is bound to cairy out the expressed will of Parliament in accordance with the direction of the Minister. The Minister does not know in what other way the department has manifested centralising tendencies, unless it be in carefully -watching the expenditure of money. — G. Hog-ben. Mr Mackenzie said that the oentralising tendencies had no impressed the Minister himself that he had declared that he was going to stop them. If the boards had not taken up a strong position the department would have monopolised all the powers. The letter was received. GENERAL. Claims for half-cost of improvements were granted as follows : — Fairfax. £2 15s ; Pukeuri. JS7 ; Ravensbourne (repairs playsheds, drains, and fencing). £20 11s 8d ; Hampden (fencing and draining grounds), £20; Waihola (flooring playshed), £3 10s: "■"Co'-th-East Valley (repairs to fencing and painting), £10 4s. ] The aDpldcation of the R^omcana School Committee for the payment by the board of half Cost (£7 10=) of removing and extending shelter shed was granted. The Alexandra School Committee applied for increased accommodation for the infant department, enclosing a loiter from Dr Greig. — Consideration deferred. The Architect reported as to the cost of iDstalling Rmaill's hpating apparatus in schools within a radius of 50 miles from Dunedin, the estimate being £7492. which would be broucrht up to close on £5000 by additional items connected with the installation. — Consideration deferred. The Secretary of the National Education Defence League wrote calling 1 attention to an alleged infringement of tlie Education ■Act; by the Mornington Sohool Committee j in permitting religious instruction during | school hours. — Mr Maokeizie thought the letter was not specific enough. — It was resolved to refer the letter to the Mornington Sohcol Committee. The Wellington Edaication Board forwarded resolutions recommending .that each education district be divided into nine electorate?. — Received. The Musselburgh School Committee applied for erection of shelter sheds.— Granted on the usual conditions, an amendment that .the board orect the sheds being lost. The application of the Anderson's Bay School Committee for a concrete tank for the school was granted en the usual conditions. The Macandrew Road Sohool Committee wrote asking that the filling-in of the school ground promised in 1902 be completed.— ' Referred to the. architect to repoij,. ,

It was resohed to ofier 10 senior and 10 junior scholars'iij^ this year. It was resolved that it be left to the chairman to make inquiry and, if .thought fit by him, to take steps to place a pupil teacher at- the Musselburgh School. The monthly meeting ot tho Education Beard, continued on Ihursdtiy evening, was attended by Messrs Borne (chairman), M'Kerrow, Mai-shall, and the Hon. 1. Fergus. APPOINTMENTS. 'The following appointments were confirmed: — Georgma lvi'Kenzio, head teacher, Maerewhenua, vice J. S. B. Graham (resigned) ; Ellen Woodliiil, head teacher, Evans Flat, vice S. J. H. Williams (left j the service) ; Abigail Monfries, head teaoher, Table Hill, vice Agnes Main (promoted); Carcn S. Lydeis, mistress, West Taieri, vice Margaret Dickie (left the service); Jeanie M. Lothian, mistress, ! Kakanui, vice E. F. M. H. Paul (transi ierred; Edith M. Townshend, unstress, Blacks, vice Ahee iVx. O'Shea (left the ! service) ; Alfred Mafcfoews, first assistant, i Mornington, vice William F. Walters (left the service) ; John M. Allan, first assistant, Kensington, vice J. Rutherford (left the i service) ; Fred. J. Heatley, second assistant, Union Street, vice Edward Davis (leit the service); Alexander S. Kennedy, fourth assistant, Caversham, vice W. L. Harmon (promoted); AVilhelmma R. Keid, assistant, Kaikorai, vice C. J. Fraser (left the service. UESIGNATIONS. The following resignations were accepted : —Alfred Mathews, head teacher, Pukeiwitahi; John M. Allan, head teacher, Cambrians; Alex. S. Kennedy, head teacher, Otakou; Georgina M'Kcnzie, head teacher, Waitahuna West; Wilheli mina R. Reid, head teacher, Taieri Ferry; M. A. Sutherland, head teacher, Deep Stream; Abigail Monfries, head teacher, Akatore Coast; Caren L. Lyders, mistress, Miller's Flat; Ellen Woodhill, mistress, Su. Bathans; Jeanie M. Lothian, mistress, Wdiwera; Edith M. Townshend, assistant, Alexandra; Emilie S. Gcddes, a&sistant, Oamaru Middle. Accounts amounting to £7334 3s 6d were passed for payment. There was no further business. SPECIAL MEETING. Yesterday afternoon a special meeting of the board was held, at which Mr J. Mitchell was appointed the board's representative on the Board of Management of the Oamaru Technical , School.