Education Board.

Colonist, Volume XLI, Issue 9264, 31 August 1898, Page 2

Education Board.

YESTERDAY. * The Board resumed at tea o'clock yesterday morning. Present: Messrs Talbot, P. Best, Beuke, Franklyn, Phillips, Maginnity, Baigent, Bailie, and Lock, The Inspectors' examination reports were considered, and considerable discussion took place regarding that upon the Callingwood School, and it was resolved the special attention of the Colling wood Committee be directed to the reports upon this school and their advice requested. Mr Ladley (inspector) in tke absence of the Chief Inspector, reported upon Mr Best's motion to lower the standard attendance qualifying- for a pupil teacher from 41 to 37. Mr Ladley said that the schools likely to be affected were Waimea West, Dovedale, and East Takaka. The salaries would be very little affected. Mr Best then meved that the scale be altered as'follows, " From 31 to 36, to one teacher at £120; from 37 to 45, one teacher at £130, and a p pil teacher." He wished that when the average attendance was over 37 in country districts, where the teacher had to teach all standards, that a pupil teacher's engagement should be compulsory. Mr Baigent said that ke would strongly support the motion. Mr Phillips also supported, and the motiom was carried unanimously. (The scale formerly read "31 to 35, one teacher at £120; 36 to 40, one teaoher at £130 ; 41 to 45, one teacher at £140, or one teacher at £130 and one pupil teacher as the Board may decide). A petition was received from residents in the lower Pokororo district for the establishment of a school. Petitioners pcinted out that they were 3 miles from Lloyd's school, and 3£ miles from the Pangatotara school. There were fourteen children of school age, and petitioners woujd previie a icitable room with ohimaey in it. After hearing Ifr Ladley, whe said there was at present considerable daager in boating the children across the river, it was resolved to grant a household sekoel on the usual conditions. The Kaituna Committee reported that the proposed Bainham Sohool district boundaries would include a portion ef the present Kaituna district. The suggestions made for alterations weft approved, and the Bainkam district will be proclaimed. In answer to a question put by Mr Look, Mr Ladley explained that Miss McEaehen was giving ordinary instruction only during such time as she was awaiting tke arrival of the necessary material to contact Kindergartea, and now she would tc lull/ employed on this special work. Ms Lock wished to know whether Mist Meßachen wag a, servant of tke Board or of the Committee? It was further explained that the Town Committee had consulted the Inspectors as to the employment of Miss McEaehen during the absenoe through illmess of some o| the town teachers, but tkis was only while she was awaiting the Kindergarten material. Miss McEaehen was a servant of the Board, receiving £50 per annum whUe in town, when required to travel it would be increased. j? • The resignations of Mr HrHill, Baton; Mist McElvee, Boehf ort Terrace, were accepted, and -it was resolved te advertise for successors. The appointment of Miss Clayden as temporary pupil-teacher at Wai-iti was approved. Miss Hanson #as appointed ts teacher: of the household sohool at Upper Stanley Brook.

| The Eeefton Committee asked for the ' amendment of the scale to provide for two assistant female teachers ins£ad of one. Eesolved that the Board does riot consider it advisable, to alter the scale', A . voluminous correspondence between Mr C. J. Bartlett and the Chairman of the Lower Moutere Committee, forwarded by Mr Bartlett, was read. Mr Bartlett complained to the Committee that his child had been refused admittance to the school on the ground of coming late. Eesolved to refer the matter to the Lower Moutere Committee, and ask them for a report thereon. Several members thought that Mr Bartlett had not been treated quite fairly in not being met by the Committee as requested. The resolution of the Town Committee re religious instruction in the town schools wa3 received, and it was resolved that the same be acknowledged, and the Education Department acquainted of the fact. The exchange of positions by Messrs Kennedy, Denni3ton, and Trevella, Brooklyn Biwaka» was approved, the Committees interested having consented. The matter of granting temporary assistance to the Tasman street school staff was left to the Inspectors and the Town Committee to arrange. On the motion of Mr Franklyn it was resolved, That the Westport School Committee be informed that, with a view to the organization of the teaching staff of the Westport District High School, the Board thinks it advisable to give the whole of the members of the present teaching staff three months' notice of the termination of their engagements, but that the teachers be informed that they will be at liberty to apply for re-appointment. The Board then rose.