EDUCATION BOARD.

Otago Witness, Issue 2811, 26 August 1908, Page 52

EDUCATION BOARD.

i THE EDUCATION BILL. Etc. The regular meeting of tKe Otago Education Board was held .on the 19th inst. there^ being present — Messrs T. Mackenzie, M.P. (chairman), D. Borrie, A. M'Kerrow, G. C. Israel, J. Mitchell, W. Snow, the Hon. T. Fergus, and the Rev. P. B. Fraser. THE CHAIRMANSHIP The Chairman said the two years of his term of chairmanship had expired, and he desired to express his thanks to members for their assistance in the work done. He wished to say a few words about the Education Bill now before Parliament. He had read with great care the able criticisms passed on it by the Otago Educational Institute and the two Dunedin papers, and tie very complete scheme put forward by Mr Fraser. He (Mr Mackenzie) was on the Education Committee in Parliament. One was not allowed to divulge anything that took place on parliamentary committees — a very foolish provision, he thought, in view of the fact that so many people were interested in the bill and wished to know what was being done with it. The bill was practically almost through committee now. He i thought he was safe in saying that hardly any of these very able sugestions mentioned were likely to find embodiment in the bill. He mentioned this much, an-d this much only, for two reasons — (1) so that people might know that they need not give themselves much more trouble in seeking to get alterations made; and (2) because he did not wish to say anytihing that would reflect on the Minister of Education. "We all appreciate," he continued, " what the Minister and the Government have done tk> set up the smaller schools. I can onljr express some little regret that when this opportunity opened up the matter we had not a greater chance of making the measure more perfect, and of bringing it more up to requirements. However, Mr Fowlds felt that if a lot of amendments were proposed it would stop the bill going through this session." Mr Mackenzie then proposed that the Hon. T. Fergus be chairman of the board for the ensuing term, and in ■doing' so referred to the fact tihat Mr Fergus had been a representative of the earlier boards of Otago. He took a keen intrest in education, and was thoroughly familiar with the back country, and was also up-to-date regarding the progressive requirements of the central schools. Mr Fergus was a very old friend of his' (the speaker's), they having sat together in Parliament 21 years ago, when h© (Mr Mackenzie) was. he supposed, a loyal supporter of the Government of which Mr Fergus was a distinguished member. Mr Snow seconded the motion for the appointment of Mr Fergus as chairman. He hoped Mr Fergus would accept the office, and in this he was supported by Messrs M'Kerrow and Israel . Mr Fergus was then elected, and took the chair. He said he appreciated the kind remarks of Mr Mackenzie. It was perfectly true that he (Mr Fergus) had been connected with the Education Board before any of the present members had ioined the board. He had eat on it under the very able : presidency of Di* Shand. under whom he ! had studied at the- University, He had taken an interest in education in this colony, where he had gained the beet part of hi 3 education. He trusted that after his term of office he would leave the chair with as good a reputation for fair play and open-mindedness as any of his predecessors. It was his desire to hold the scales evenly, and conduct the business in such a way as would reflect credit on the board. Mr Fraser 6aid he wished to bring forward the following motion bearing on the chairmanship :— " That the board records its high appreciation of the services of Mr Mackenzie as chairman of the board for two years, and expresses its thanks 'to him for his valuable services rendered at the board's table and in Parliament to the cause of education." Mr Fraser eaid every member would cordially agree with this, for it was only putting on record what had be^n expressed by members, No member of the board had given more time and attention to the affairs .of the education of this province than Mr Mackenzie, who had qualifications in that he ■was always approachable to those having educational rnflttprs needing attention. He (Mr Fraser) hoped they would see Mr Macken7ie retained in Parliament as member for the Taieri. — (" Hear, hoar.") ! Mr Israel seconded the motion, and said he recoprnised Mr Mackenzie's work on The Education Committee of tihe House in connection with the Education Bill. ' The motion wps, after some further slight disoussion, caried unanimously. / Mr Mackenzie said that Mr Fras>er T s resolution was quite unanticipated by him. He felt grateful to members for assisting him to carry on the business. Sometimes one, while wishing to do the right thing, found it difficult to carry it out. He particularly thanked members for what they had said about his work in Parliament in connection with education. It would not be rijrht to let the opportunity pass without saving how much men in actual touch with the administration of the Education Act were, needed in Parliament. — ("Hear, hear.") The working of the act was v&r-v intricate, and they required men ! in daily touch with it to know how to . assist the Minister and Parliament in doinpr what was rie-hr,. He had had many a hard fi^ht in Parliament ovr educational mat- , ters. and many hard thmffs had been ■■aid about him. He hoped that we would have more members in Parliament who had been trained on education boards. i Unless rhat was so, we would have administration by an Undor-secretarv for Education. Ho thanked members, in coricluftion. for their desire to see him -retained as a. member of Parliament. — (" Hear, hear.") GEXF.HAL. Claims for half cost of improvements wen* Granted Dun robin, Port Chalmers, and , Macraes. I The architect's report, roPornrrK-nclincr that j impairs and reno\alions be effected to

schools and residences at Walton, Kensington, George Street, and Flag Swamp was approved. The committee appointed to' report on applications for the establishment of new schools at Otekaike and Waitaki South recommended that they be built, and the recommendation was approved, with regard to the removal of the school at ilaerewhenua the committee reported that the sludge from the diggings now practically surrounded the building and the school could not be used. The committee, therefore, recommended that the school be removed to a site which could be acquired on a higher level. Thi« recommendation the board approved of. The committee could not recommend the removal of the school at Koomo. — Recommendation approved. With regard to a petition for the establishment of a school at Galloway Flat, it was resolved that fhe Minister be informed of the total number of children on both sides of the Manuherekia. River, and that the education interests of the district would be best served by a footbridge across the river. It was resolved, in connection with an application for an additon to the residence at Strath Taieri, to enable atWication to the Minister for the erection of it. It was decided to decline an application for an addition to the residence at Waikouaiti. Consideration of a request from Springvale for a subsidy for the purchase of a building as a residence for the teacher was deferred. The board could not see its way to comply with a request from the Schools' Amateur Athletic Society for monetary assistance, the society having fallen into arrears .to the amount of £9 • Permission was granted tihe- teacher at Merton to lease the residence on the usual - terms. The Wellington Education Board wrote suagesting that clause 141 of the Education Act be amend«d by deleting- the clause which permitted tihe absence of a child for at least one-fifth of the school time. — It was resolved that the board cordially support the Wellington Board in its endeavour to strengthen the attendance of the schools along tKe lines suggested, and that a copy of the resolution be sent to the Wellington Board. The Milburn Committee wrote tnanfcui<ic the board for having moved the school, and expressed approval of the manner in which the board's workmen had carried out the work. — Received. Mr Pinder. of Mosgiel, requested that the board would reimburse him for the loss of two oowb which be stated had been poisoned. The cum he olaimed was £23, and he stated that the gymnasium was being painted, and that the Government Veterinarian had given it as his opinion that death was due to lead-poisoning, — The board declined liability. The North Canterbury Board forwarded copies of resolutions to the effect that tno primary school eyllabua was wanting in connection with iihe scope and treatment' of forma) English grammar and history, and that the "Education. Department be requested to provide for a fuller treatment of these subjects an the syllabus, even at th« expense of less important subjects, which • received more attention than their educative value warranted. That, though geography took up so much of the syllabus, yet it was treated in suoh a way as to leave the human side of the subject to a large* degree untouched. The board invited cooperation. — The Board approved.— The Rev. Mar Fraser said he found the grossest ignorance prevailed among children as to geography and grammar and 6uch things, and it had a most injurious effect upon rural education, where teachere sent out taught geography and grammar out of their own heads. It was meet outrageous that the education of the country should be altered to the dictation of one man. — It was resolved that a reply be sent cordially agreeing to co-operate. Mr Flamank and Miss M'Kenzie appli-ed for leave of absence to go to Wellington to give evidence about the Education BilJ. — Mr Mackenzie said a resolution had been carried in the Education Committee to take the evidence tendered by the three teachers there, and that, the further evidence to be taken was only to be given on behalf of the committees. — The Chairman : • You don't think this evidence will be received. — Mr Mackenzie replied in the affirmative. — Mr Fraeer moved — " That the applicants receive, leave of absence." — The Chairman said be did not think it was worth while to put any obstacle in. theway of the teachers placing their views before Parliament. If the committee refused to hear them it was nothing to do with the board. — The motion was carried'A number of Hindon settlers petitioned that the Tahora School be not removed, and that it be reopened. — The Secretary explained that the school had been closed for months, and an application, had been, made for the establishment of a school at the Hindon Railway Slbation. The board had thought it would remove tho school. The recommendation of the • inspector had been that, as the Tahora School was closed, it should be moved down to the railw&v station, and he (Mr Pryde) had" applied to Government for a grant, and had got it. Mr Rodser had been out at Hindon last Fi-iday, and had made arrangements for the removal of the building. — The Chairman stated that Mr Ro<Jp;er wiicl it would cost more to remove the school down to the station than it was worth. — It was decided on the motion of Mr Mackenzie, that the school remain where ifc was, and that the grant be used to erect a new building at the Hindon Railway Station. The beard then went into committee. The Otago Education Board continued its ordinary monthly meeting on the 20th inst. ; pTesent — the Hon. Thos. Fergus (chairman), and" Messra D. Borrie, A. M'Kerrow, W. Scoit, G. C. Israel, Ja«, Mitchell, W. Snow, and the Rev. P. B. Frascri*. APPOIXTMENTS, ETC. The following resignations were accepted .-—Annie Lane (sole teacher), Waronui; Hannah Brcmner (sole teacher). Ida Valley ; John M. Nicholson (second assistant), Albany Street; Mary M'Neill (mistress), Lowburn ; Grace E. M'Gregor (assistant). Kaikorai. The following appointments were con- | firmed:— Vera Tsicol (mistress). Ngapara; i Mary M'Neill (mistress). Romahapa; John ! A. Cushen (second assistant), Macandrew ! Road. NEW SCHOOLS. The 6ub-committee appointed to consider fhe application from Waitaki bridge and Steward Settlement residentf for the eraci^tion of a school in their district reported that it had met representatives from both

parts of the district, and it had no hesitation in recommending that a school be established., There were at present 26 children ready to attend the school, and two sites were under consideration. Of these • sites, the committee was prepared to recommend that section 50a should be secured, but as there was a unanimous desire that the school should be placed nearer the township the committee asked -that it be given time to further consider the matter. The report was ' adopted, and it was resolved that application be made to the department .for the grant necessary to erect the school. FIBE ESCAPES IN SCHOOLS. The Rev. Mr Fraser submitted the following report: — "The committee appointed to consider the question of fire escapes in" the larger schools begs to report tbat_ it has se-nt a circular to all committees with schools of three rooms and over asking as to the facilities for escape in case of fire. The committee expressed the opinion that periodical fire drill should be made part of the, discipline of the larger schools. The committee will report further after receiving information from the committees referred to." •The report was adopted. SCHOOL LIBRARIES. ' The Rev. Mr Fraser submitted the following report: — "The committee of the board appointed to consider the question of" school libraries, after consultation with ' the inspector, makes the following recommendations.:^!) That the board subsidise the establishment arid maintenance of school' libraries to the extent of. contributing 10s for every pound raised for this purpose" locally, the> board's annual oon- ; tribution not to exceed £2 10a for any one school. (2) 'That the board provide library cupboards where necessary. (3) That the board's committee, -with the inspector, after careful inquiry, prepare a list of books suitable for' such purpoeeß with a view to assisting committees in making a aelectidn." ' The report was adopted. THE TECHNICAL SCHOOL. It was resolved that a revaluation of the Technical School property vested in the /board be taken before the appointment of next year's representatives on the Board .of Management. — The' Chairman pointed out that; it was almost certain that the valuation of the property would be largely increased, which would result in a proportionate increase in' the number of representatives elected by the board to the Board of" Management of the Technical Glasses Association. GENERAL. The Finance Committee' 6 report recommended that accounts totalling £9083 14s 9d be passed for payment. — Adopted. It was resolved that, as usual, 10 junior " and 10 senior scholarships be offered by the board, to be competed for in the ordinary way. It was resolved that a number of matters in connection with the Art School be taken < into consideration at a meeting of the Aboard in committee on the Tuesday evening before the September meeting. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr Fraser, that permission be granted all board school authorities" to hang copies of the Decalogue in the schoolrooms. The director of the School of Art was authorised to arrange for the appointment -of a teacher of mechanical drawing, vice Mr Armstrong, who ,had left for South Afrioa. The Educational Institute- wrote recommending that in schools where Standards - V and VI are combined for English, the fcext-book for reading should not be more difficult than the Standard V Imperial Reader. — The Inspectors reported on the proposition to the effect that they •considered that the concession made by the board about 12 months ago, fhat in such combined classes the teacher may omit the more difficult parts of the Standard VI Reader to the extent of one-fourth of the book." was quite sufficient. — The board decided to refuse the institute's request in the meantime. The matter of the position of the teachers at the Normal School and the Union Street School was brought up by Mr Israel, who suggested that 'applications for the vacant positions in those schools be called for by advertisement in due cour=e. — After some discussion it was decided that the question <jf staffing these schools be considered on SepienYber 15, and that the inspectors be consulted.