EDUCATION BOARD.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3354, 3 January 1884, Page 2

EDUCATION BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the Board was held to-day. Present Bev Gr. Barclay (Chairman), Messrs S. W. Goldsmith, B. Wakefield, J. Talbot, B. A. Barker, Dr Foster, W. J. Steward. chaieman’s statement. The Chairman reported that no resignation had been received, or appointment made, during the past month; and that all routine business in the office had been attended to. He had directed the Secretary to prepare, for next meeting, a full statement re the stationery depot. BUILDING GEANT. A letter was received from the Department, notifying the Board that, as yet, no information could be given as to the date on which the building grant to the Board would be paid. TEACHING STAFF. The Chairman submitted a series of suggestions, re pupil teachers on school staffs; the principal of which was that 35, instead of 40 should be fixed, as the average attendance entitling a school to the services of a pupil teacher. The matter was discussed, and the Board generally favoured the proposals, which were finally adopted on the motion of Mr Wakefield, seconded by Mr Goldsmith. inspectoe’s eepoet. The acting-inspector, Mr Gurr, reported very unfavorably on the Sootsburn School, at the examination recently held. He also reported on the Geraldine, Gapes’ Yalley, Pleasant Valley, Orari Bridge and Bedcliff schools. Of the Gapes’ Valley School, Mr Gurr reported most favorably, and indicated certain daws in the management of some other schools. Referring to sundry ill-kept registers, he suggested that the Secretary should request certain teachers to forward their registers to the office for inspection. The suggestion was adopted on the motion of Mr Steward.

Mr Gurr wrote, asking the Board to make certain concessions to him re travelling expenses. He stated that he had found the travelling expenses higher than he had anticipated. Mr Talbot thought a very close bargain had been driven with Mr Gurr in fixing his remuneration at £25 per month, and he was of opinion that he had done very good work indeed. The Board generally were of opinion that the work had been well done, and that Mr Gurr was deserving of some consideration. The Chairman and Mr Wakefield thought a bonus of £ls might be paid. Mr Talbot thought that not sufficient. He and Mr Steward considered Mr Gurr had really done a year’s work in three months, and ought to be re* warded, Mr Barker suggested that a bonus ot £2O should be paid and that he should be instructed to place in the Chairman’s bands on the Bth inst., a statement of his entire work, that being the date on which his 3 months engagement would terminate. The Board adopted the suggestion. architects’ report. Messrs West and Barber (1) submitted a plan of the proposed school at Belfield the estimated cost of which was £250; and (2) forwarded tenders for the removal of closets &0., at the Public School. Mr Wakefield moved and Mr Steward, seconded—“ That the architects be requested to furnish a modified plan of a schoolhouse for Belfield the cost not to exceed £2lO including fencing, closets, well, and all accessories, with aocom* modation at the outside for 35 or 40 children.” Carried. CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS, Mr F. J. Fraser, master of the South Orari School,' wrote stating that the Committee had determined to give a fortnight’s holiday to the school, and asking that the usual holiday of five weeks should be given in bis case. Mr Talbot said country teachers must take their holidays to meet the requirements of the harvest season. This was necessary, and teachers and Committees should work together. Mr Barker said the Committee had decided to give a fortnight’s holiday now, and a month at harvest. The Chairman said he thought teachers should be fairly dealt with, and that a rule should be laid down, in order that they might know what the practice was. The letter was referred to the Committee. WINCHESTER. The Chairman of the Winchester School Committee wrote, asking that the School be re-examined. The Board declined to comply with this, but resolved to allow the School to go on until next inspection. HOOK. The Chairman of the Hook School Committee wrote stating that the well had caved in, having been bricked in at the top, but left unbricked at the bottom. Referred to the Chairman and architect. TIMARU SCHOOL STAFF. The Inspector’s report on the Timaru School was read, and considered in connection with the list of the teaching staff. A communication was read from the Committee re Miss Kissel’s resignation. In reference to the former matter, it was resolved, on the motion of Mr Steward, seconded by Mr Barker “ That the attention of the Committee of the Timaru School be called to the low percentage of passes in Standards i IV and HI, and that the Committee bo asked if they have any recommendation to make with a view of securing better results.’’ In reference to Miss Kissel —a voluminous letter was received from that teacher, setting forth the hardship and injustice to which she had been subjected. . . In connection with this, the Chairman stated that he bad requested the Committee to state the ground of com* plaint when asking for the dismissal of a teacher. The Board referred the matter to the

Committee, that that body should Set forth tho grounds on which it was sought to obtain the dismissal of Miss Kissel. SEAL OF THE BOARD. Mr Wakefield moved, Ur Foster seconded, and it was carried —“That the seal of the Board be attached to the agreements with Misses Ladbrook, M. Kissel, Messrs E. W. Gurr, G. B. Macalpine, G. Westropp, A. Mclntosh, and A. Cuthbert.” pupil-teachers’ examination-. Mr Hammond, Inspector of schools, wrote in reference to the recent pupilteachers examination that, in accordance with the instructions of the Board, he had included the marks for school management and music. With reference to a complaint made some time ago by a Miss Hunt, a pupil-teacher at Waimate, to the effect that she had been unfairly dealt with, Mr Hammond stated that he had no remarks to make. It was simply a case of a pupil-teacher setting up her own judgment against that of the Inspector as to the value of her work, and of course he could say nothing. The Board then (at the request of the Chairman) went into committee, and on resuming, adjourned.