Southland Education Board

Southland Times, Issue 12771, 2 December 1893, Page 2

Southland Education Board

Friday, Ist December'. The monthly meeting of the Board was attended by Messrs G. Froggatt (chairman), Baldey, Bain, McNab, McLeod, Matheson, Mac Gibbon, and Mackintosh. ■ The chairman announced that the retiring members were Messrs Lumsden, Matheson, and McNab. The inspector reported that the pupil teachers who were teaching sewing had performed their duties to his entire satisfaction, and the usual bonus was authorised. A report from Inspectors Hendry and Braik in connection with the High Schools Board’s proposal to give free education to a limited number of pupils was referred to a special committee, consisting of Messrs McLeod, McNab, and Bain, for consideration and report. The inspectors also reported that there was no insuperable objection to the date of the scholarship examinations being altered from June to December, as desired by the High Schools Board.—Referred to the Executive Committee. The Mokoreta Committee wrote asking the Board to reconsider its determination not to remove their school, and to supply them with a copy of the inspector’s report on the matter. —Copy of the report to be sent. The conditions of the appointment of an inspector of works, as prepared by a special committee, were read, the salary being fixed at Llso.—Mr Bain moved the adoption of the report, and said one of the features of the conditions was provision for the establishment of a workshop in which the inspector could give a little technical instruction on Saturdays to any town or country pupils who cared to attend.—The motion was seconded by Mr McLeod.—Mr Mackintosh said he agreed with the conditions but not with the salary,- which he considered insufficient for the work prescribed. He moved, as an amendment, that the salary be L2oo.—The amendment was not seconded.—Mr Mac Gibbon moved, as an amendment, seconded by Mr McNab, that the salary be L 175 per annum. —After discussion the amendment was negatived, and the motion carried. —The secretary was instructed to invite applications for the position, and the Executive Committee were authorised to make the appointment. The Executive Committee reported as follows : —(1) That Mrs Margaret B. Adamson had been appointed head teacher at the Ferndale school, and Miss Bedelia McDonnell, mistress at Arrow. (2) That the appointment of a teacher for Chatton Road school had been left with the chairman. (3) That the North Wairio teacher had been furnished with a copy of the committtee’s complaint against him and asked to supply an explanation. (4) That the Orepuki Committee had been authorised to accept a tender at L3l, for draining and gravelling. (5) That the chairman had been authorised to arrange for the supervision and inspection of works now in course of execution. The following applications were granted : —Slopedown : Half cost of fuel shed; Winton : Rent of hall temporarily used for school purposes ; Redan Valley : Repairs to buildings ; Orepuki: Half cost of boundary fencing; Chatton : Outhouses and tank; Wild Bush: Half cast of fencing. The inspector’s report recommending the erection of a new school building in Wallacetown was adopted. The secretary was authorised to supply suitable furniture for the Chatton Road school, and requested to report as to the best site for a school in Seaward Moss district. It was decided to ask the Gropers Bush Committee if they were prepared to pay half tbe cost of a picket fence applied for. The chairman was authorised to arrange for repairs to the west end of the infant room at the Invercargill Middle school. In connection with a petition for a new school in Waikawa Valley, it was resolved to ask the petitioners to reply more definitely to the Board’s proposal that they should contribute half cost of a temporary school building, as was done in the adjoining district. New school districts were constituted at Greenvale, Koromiko,- Waipounamu, and Ardlussa, their boundaries defined, and steps ordered to be taken to elect committees.

Alterations were agreed to in the boundaries of Wendon Valley, Balfour, Longridge village, and Longridge districts. Accounts and salaries amounting to L 2804 Os 8d were passed for payment and the Board adjourned till the 12th January, 1894.