BOARD OF EDUCATION.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 5027, 7 June 1889, Page 2

BOARD OF EDUCATION.

Thef bowing is the continuation of yesterday’s report correspondence. The Geraldine School Committee wrote requesting the board to raise the status of their school to that of a district high school. Mr Barclay said that they had had this question before them pretty often for the last seven or eight years. He was of opinion that the time had now come when the board should accede to the request. Members must bear in mind that their decision was not final, but for the future of education he thought that the board should grant the request, for if education was good for anything the higher the education they could possibly give the better. In the next place it would remove a great disability under which a number of persons in the Geraldine district now laboured, for members knew that the children of that district had been very successful as scholarship winners. He thought also that it would bo economical for the board to raise tbe status of the school, us they would save money cn the scholarships. Instead of giving £3O or £4O for a scholarship as at present, the cost, if the status were raised, would bo only a very few pounds. He had also made enquiries as to what change of staff would be needed, and was assured that an additional pupil teacher or an assistant, at a cost of £6O a year, would be all that would be required. The board would save this sum in two scholarships, and on the whole ho thought it would be courteous on their part to accede to the request. He then moved —“That this board cordially transmit to the Minister of Education the request of the Geraldine committee and residents to have the sehool raised to the status of a District High School.” Mr Howell had pleasure in seconding lb * motion, pleading for the poorer clast of people, who could not afford to send their children to the Timaru High School. Mr Foavpoint endorsed the remarks by Messrs Barclay and Howell, aud cordially approved of the step. Mr Talbot, though not parlicularly objecting tc the motion, said it was a fallacy for Mr Barclay to say that they would save money on the scholarships if tbe request were acceded to, for the scholarship money was set apart for a specified purpose. However, without discussing it at length, he thought that a full board should have an opportunity of discussing the motion—it would only be courteous to postpone the matter until they had done so.

Mr Smyth was perfectly satisfied that the Geraldine school was, from its locality and surroundings, quite entitled to have its status raised, and Mr Jackson, though not opposing it, wished to know the cost they were likely to incur in making the change, how many children were likely to take advantage of it, and in what manner it would affect the board’s funds.

At this stage, Mr Barclay explained in reply to Mr Talbot, that what he meant by a saving on scholarships was that by the change they would be able to distribute the scholarship moneys among a much large number of children. ? The sum they now spent on one, would if the Geraldine request were acceded to, pay for four or five scholarships, for the holders in that district could go to the Geraldine school, not to Temukaor to Timaru as at present. Messrs Barclay and Howell then stating that they had no objection to the question being postponed, the motion was tabled as a notice for next meeting. The Glenavy Committee wrote asking for £5 to build shelter shed. —Board will give half cost on being handed a description of the shed.

The Hilton Committee wrote asking if, as one of their number had resigned, they could elect a person resident outside their district to the vacant seat.—No; they cannot. The Milford Committee wrote asking if Mr Hamilton could remain at the school until the Cave school is ready.—Yes ; he can.

The Pleasant Valley’Committee requested to be allowed to use the schoolroom for a dance in aid of the prize fund. —Agreed to. The Pareora Committee enclosed a list of repairs that were needed to the master’s house which was in a very bad state. —Mr John Jackson is to accompany the architect to inspect it, and on their report the chairman is authorised to expend a sum not exceeding £ls. St. Andrews committee asked for £6 10s for fencing.—£3 5s granted. The Timaru committee enclosed estimate for fencing, repairs, and painting at their schools. —Mr Jackson to report.

A letter was read respecting an addition to tho site of tho Washdyke school and the board agreed to give half cost (£10) on condition that the committee pay tho other half. A request from the Waihao committee for £4 for fencing was left to tho inspector to report on. The Scotsburn committee wrote asking if they would be allowed to grant the school for meetings of Good Templars.—Tho board have no objection to meetings of Good Templars being held in the schoolrooms of South Canterbury. The Waitohi Flat committee asked for certain repairs, consideration of which was postponed for reception of an oetiraa'e.“ The Kingsdown committee wrote asking for £8 for repairs.—£4 granted. The board then, 3 30 p.m., rose.