EDUCATION BOARD.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 6751, 4 February 1892, Page 3

EDUCATION BOARD.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the South Canterbury Board of Education was held to day. Present —Messrs S. W. Goldsmith (chairman), J. Jackson, W. Storey, M, Gray, G. H. Rhodes, W. B Howell, Rev. T. J. Smyth. The chairman stated that since last meeting he had received and accepted the resignation of Mr James Thompson as headmaster at Pleasant Point, on his appointment to a similar position at South Bakina. Mr Thompson had been twelve years in his present position, and he had invariably proved hims-lf an intelligent painstaking and 'industrious teacher and he hoped the change would prove aj promotion to Mr Thompson. In accordance with the desire of the board he had selected Miss McLeod for the post of pupil teacher at Temuka, and Miss Leslie at St Andrews. There was a regulation of the board which enacts that all business for the board should be in the office three days before the date of meeting. This in a great variety of cases is not done, letters coming in by the first post on the board’s day of meeting and even after that, which should have been entered and prepared for the board’s consideration. He hoped this practice would not be eontinued.

In reference to the reception of correspondence Mr Gray and Mr Howell thought three days too long an interval, and the former moved and it was carried that, in future, correspondence to be laid before a meeting of the board must be in the office the day before the meeting, or it cannot be considered till the following meeting. Mr Howell said he would like to endorse the chairman’s expression of regret at Mr Thompson’s resignation. That a man had been twelve years in the service of the board was the highest testimonial he could have that he had satisfied the board.

Mr Smyth, «s one who had known Mr Thompson intimately for eight years, also wished to endorse what had been said. Mr Thompson was very highly respected, and would be very much missed by parents and children. He was a man of tha highest moral character, and the influence he bad exerted in the district had been most beneficial and valuable.

Mr W. Storey said ho knew Mr Thompson before ho entered the board’s service, and be was very sorry he was leaving. However he understood that the change would bo to Mr Thompson’s advantage—that he was bettering himself and hie family. In reply to Messrs Smyth and Rhodes (he chairman* stated that no letter had been received from Sutherland about the selection of a subordinate teacher.

The architect reported that the painting and distempering at Temuka and Waimato were completed ; the contractor for addition to W&imataiti had begun work ; the building i at Te Moana would be completed in about a J week.

Nominations of candidates for three prospective vacancies on the board were received, from 18 schools only* out of about 60, as follows; —f 5. VP. Goldsmith 9 nominations, J. Jackson 11, G. H. Rhodes 12, W. Balfour 1, D. M. Boss 1. The three first-named are the retiring members. The voting by the committees must be completed by the end of this month, and the result of the election will be declared at the March meeting On a letter from a Redcliff resident on the question of removing the present school versus erection of a second, the board concurred with the chairman that the circumstances pointed to the advisability of erecting a second school as soon as the site is secured. A letter from the headmaster at Hi'toa, in explanation of the results of the last examination, was accepted as satisfactory. Mr Richmond, chairman of the Silverstream committee, wrote a long letter defending hie letter to the board at the previous meeting, respecting the teacher. After a discussion it was resolved that the previous'decision calling on the teacher to resign be adhered to. It was resolved to invito tenders for the erection of a schoolroom at Blackburn, and for repairing roof at Milford. Also that the architect be instructed to make out the necessary quantities of paints and oil required for the various buildings to be repainted, and that the committees be supplied with same, and requested to undertake the work. This was all the business.