S.C. BOARD OF EDUCATION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1415, 7 November 1885, Page 2

S.C. BOARD OF EDUCATION.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the above Board was held on Thursday. Present—Messrs S. W. Goldsmith (Chair, man), Wakefield, Gray, W. J. Steward and Dr Foster. The Chairman said Mrs Worthington had been appointed teacher at the Upper Waitohi School. The following letter waa read from Mr John Hislop, Secretary to the Education Department, Wellington : " I am directed by the Minister of Education to inform you that it has been decided to distribute among the Education Boards in proportion to the population of their respective districts the sum of £55,000 of the special vote out of loans for school buildings, and that the amount payable to your Board is £2452 17«. I am to state, however, that the money will probably not be paid to the Board until towards the close of the current financial year. I am to take this opportunity to bring under your notice the provisions of section 35 of the Counties Act Amendment Act passed last session by the General Assembly. It provides that C>unty Councils, Road Boards and Town Districts may contribute out of their funds for the ercct : on of maintenance of school buildings. Se«ing the heavy chirg» at present upon the loan expenditure for soho >1 building purposes, the Board might fairly ask some districts to contribute out of their funds for the er3ction orraainten. ance of buildings. Perhaps the fairer wiy would be to ask those districts that have already had expenditure for school building purposes, to aid in the extension of buildings. It would perhaps be unfair to eik district that have had no school erected to aid in the erection of a new school. In the more settled parts, however, where there Ins been some expenditure for school building purposes, the district might be fairly be asked to aid either in the enlargement or repair of the school buildings in the district. Of course the Minister must leave it to the Education Board to decide what the aid should be, and how it should be applied. He is glad to be able to slate that already several districts have offered to contribute, and he has no doubt that if the districts were asked to contribute, and did contribute, the expendiiure would be kept within proper limit! and a deeper interest would be taken in the buildings ani in education generally. I am directed to add that the time may come when each district will have to erect its own school buildings, as the money hitherto appropriated for the purpose may not be continued by the General Assembly excepting to cnly a limit d am unt, and then only for s, new di-trc 1 . In view of the possibility of thip, it would be wibe to ascertain how far districts are willing to co-operate with the Education Boards in finding suitable buildings for the children." After a short discussion it was resolved " on the moiion of Mr Wakefield :—"That the Ohurman be authorised to write to the Borough and County Council* within the South Canterbury Education district forwarding a copy of the Minister's letter, informing the local bodies of the want* of the Board, and asking them whether they are willing to afford assistance, and if so, to what amount." A letter was read from Mr Hislop stating that the draft scholarship regula' tions of the Board had been submitted to the Minister. Section 11. was contrary to the Ac f , and the words "or of such othtr schools as the Board may deem to be a primary school" in the seotion Bhould be omitted, The Minister suggested that

drawing should be made a compulsory subject of examination.—The amendments in the regulations required by the Minister were acceded to. In reply to a letter from the Board Mr Hislop wrote stating that as section 103 of the Education Act of 1877 (relating to accounts) is not repealed its provisions must still be complied with. The Architect reported that the repairs at the Timaru School had been affected, and that the school buildings at Silverstream had been completed. The Inspector in his general report stated he waß busy examining the schools, having just about completed the Timaru Schools. He mentioned that some of the schools required requisites for drawing, and that the Teachers' Institute were about discussing a suggestion of his dealing with text books. The teachers, he understood, would make a recommendation to the Board on this subject at an early date. The Inspector's annual report* of the examination of the Albury, Fairlie Creek and Pareora schools were then read, and were directed to be forwarded to the Committees of the schools named. The Inspector reported favorably about a new school for the*Rangitata district. — The matter was postponed till next meeting. Mr Barclay reported on behalf ©f the Building Committee with regard to the allocation of the new buiMing grant, the recommendations made totalling up £2195. An extension of lirre was to allow the Committee to revise their draft report and consider fresh applications

for buildings. The following correspondence was read :-- From the Timaru School Com-mittee stating that Mr William Jones had been elected Chairman vice Mr Jas. Bruce resigned, and forwarding recommendations for the vacant toacherships. Miss Rowley's appointment as ninth teacher was confirmed. From the Fairlie Creek School Committee asking that the school be enlarged. —Resolved : "That the architect prepare plans, etc., for additions to the school." From the Winchester School Committee requesting that the master's house be> repaired, as it was in danger of collapsing altogether.—Consideration deferred to next meeting. From the Seariew School Committee asking for a grant of £7 for fencing purposes.—Application granted. From the Alakikihi and Hilton School Committees, in reference to grants for a water supply, the former asking for £B, and the latter for £l2.- It was decided to grant Makikihi the sum asked for, and Hilton £lO. From the Waimataitai School Committee, asking for permission to erect gymnastic apparatus.— CJrantod. A letter from the Waimate School Committee of only local interest was read, and the Board, after passing accounts, adjourned.