EDUCATION BOARD.

Otago Witness, Issue 2812, 5 February 1908, Page 17

EDUCATION BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the Otago Education Board was held on the 29th ult., and was attended by Messrs T. Mackenzie, M.P.. D Borrie, A. M'Kerrow, W. Snow, W. Scott, G. C. Israel, J. Mitchell, the Hon. T Fergus, and the Rev. P. B. Fraser. The minutes of the previous meeting were confirmed. IMPHOVEMEXTS AND BEPAIES. Half-cost of the following improvements was approved:— Bald Hill — Fencing, £1 2s; Green Island — Asphalting, £25 ; Island Cliff — Fencing, £6 ; Maheno— Asphalting, £6; Purakanui — Painting inside of school, £8; Roxburgh — Repairs, etc., £3 10s; Southbridge — Improvements to grounds, £6 10s; Taicri Ferry — Asphalting, etc., £6; Totara — Asphalting, etc., £1 ss; Walton — Repairs to residence, £1 10s ; Port Chalmers — Asphalting and improvements. £30; Awamangu — Fencing, £14. An application from Mornington for half-cost of scales, organ, etc. (£3 15s), was declined. The architect was instructed to carry out repairs to buildings recommended by him at Blue Spur, Tuapeka West, Evan's Flat, Livingston, and Palmerston. KUEOW. The committee asked for the control of a piece of land set aside as a school site until such time as it was required for school purposes. — Granted, on condition that the committee paid for the fencing. WAIPOEI LAKE. The board agreed to lease to Mr Twelvetree section 239, block IV, Maungatua, at a rental of £4 per annum. ALESANDEA. The committee asked the board to pay the full cost of a, fence between the school grounds and the church property. — The board decided to pay its share (£11) of the cost. GLEBE EIGHTS. The- teacher at Awamangu asked for a ruling as to the use of the grounds attached to the school. — It was decided to draw the committee's attention to rule 59 and to inform them that the school glebe was for the use of the teacher. MILBUBN. The secretary was instructed to complete the purchase of the piece of land for a school site at Milburn, the architect to proceed with the removal of the building. WINDSOR. The Windsor School Committee asked that additional land be secured for school purposes. — The matter was referred to Messrs Borrie, M'Kerrow, and Mitchell, to ascertain what land could be obtained, and on what terms. eae's junction. The committee appointed to visit the proposed new site for the Rao's .Junction School reported that they had visited the district and inspected the site in company with the architect and members of School Committee. They were of opinion that they would not be justified in recommending the removal of tho school to the site pointed out, as, in their opinion and in that of the architect, it would be quite unsuitable for a school site. In the meanwhile the committee regretted that ii did not see any present solution for the conflicting school interests in the district. — The report was adopted. COTTAGE GARDEN EXPENSES. The board agreed to pay the sum of £5 15s expenditure incurred by the head master of the Tokomairiro School in connection with the cottage garden, and that he be reminded that no expenditure whatever couH in future be recognised unless authorised by the board. Tho adjourned meeting of the Education Board held on the 30th ult. was attended by Messrs T. Mackenzie, M.P. (chairman), D. Borrie, A. M'Kerrow, W. Scott, G. C. Israel, J. Mitchell, W. Snow, the Hon. T. Fergus, and the Rev. P. B. Fraser. int G. B. ANDEBSOS. One of the resignations received by the Otago Education Board yesterday was that of Mr G. B. Anderson, head teacher of the North Taieri School. The Secretary said that Mr Anderson was the oldest teacher in the board's service, having been appointed to the North Taicri School on October 1, 1862, and had occupied the same Tiosition ever since. He had looked up the records and could not find that Mr Anderson had ever applied for a change of school. Mr Pry^e thought that tho board might like to have these facts on the occasion of the retirement of their oldest officer. The Hon. Mr Fergus said that ever since he came to the Dominion he had known Mr Anderson, and he knew that some of the best men in the Dominion had been turned out from the North Taieri School. It was a common thing for pupils from that school to enter a lawyer's office in town and pass the matriculation examination without any secondary education at all. Mr Anderson had been a conscientious officer, and he thought they could > not do less than show their apreciation in some .tangible form. He had much tjleasure^in moving that Mx

I Anderson's resignation be accepted as from I March 31, and that he be placed on full pay until the end of the year. The Chairman seconded the motion. Ho said Mr Anderson belonged to an order that was fast passing away — that was the parish schoolmaster type, which had done so much for Scotland. Mr Anderson had left his influence on a vast number of young people who, since passing through the school, had occupied high positions not only in this but in other countries. Air Snow said that Mr Anderson had ; been a useful member of the district, and i had taken part in everything that went on. The men he had turned out were a credit to him. Mr Anderson deserved all that Mr Fergus proposed, and he heartily endorsed the remarks that had been made. Messrs Borrie and M'Kerrow also added a tribute to Mr Anderson, after which thp motion was carried unanimouslj r . BESIGNATIONS The following resignations \ ere accepted : Geo. B. Anderson, head teacher, North Taieri ; Jane C. Scott, sole teacher, Tarara ; Christina W. Liddle, mistress, Strath Taieri ; Mary G. Greenslade, mistress, Seacliff; Eliza Marshall, mistress, Bannockburn ; Andrew Bain, first assistant, Oamaru ] Middle ; Jean Begg, junior assistant, Alex1 andra ; Wm. Rodger, assistant secondary department, Port Chalmers; Owen 3. Hodge, head teacher, Albany street. APPOINTMENTS. The following appointments^were made: — Wm. Rodger, headmaster, Duntroon, vice A. Robertson (promoted) ; Wm. O. 1\ Kaye, sole teacher Beaumont, vice Eliz. M'Neill (resigned) ; Isabella C Hay, sole teachei | Waipori "Lake, -vice W. Ferguson" (resigned) ; Jane C. Scott, sole teacher Tokarahi, vica Constance E. Jones (resigned) ; Kate Faulks, junior assistant Musselburgh, new appointment; Christina W. Liddle, junior assistant Maori Hill, new apoinrment. FINANCIAL. Accounts amounting to £7201 10s 5d were passed for payment. NOTICES OF MOTION. Mr Mitchell gave notice to move at next meting — " That a committee, consisting of Messrs Fraser, Israel, Scott, and Mitchell, be appointed to examine into and report upon the earnings and ultimate disposal of all funds accruing from manual and technical education." The Chairman gave notice of motion for next meeting — " That in the opinion of this board all children under the age of 15 years who obtain proficiency certificates during the year 1908 should be entitled to two years' free secondary education without further examination or restriction, such two years of free education commencing; with the opening term of the school year." The Chairman gave notice to move — " That this board proceed to select one of its most suitable teachere for the purpose of imparting instruction in rural subjects; but that prior to placing him in charge of that work, arrangements be made whereby he may visit and receive up-to-date information in some of the best institutions in America and Europe."