EDUCATION BOARD.

Timaru Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 1479, 18 June 1879, Page 5

EDUCATION BOARD.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the South Canterbury Board of Education was held on June 4. MEMBBBS PRESENT. Mo-srs Belfield (Chairman), Wakefield, Goldsmith, Postlethwaite, Howell, and the Rev. G. Barclay. MINUTES. Ihe minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. APPOINTMENTS. The Chairman stated tbat since the last meeting he had appointed Mr Walker to the position of teacher of the Wai-iti f-chool, and Mr Faithful to be teae! er of the Opihi school. ANNUAL BEPOBT. The annual renort, compiled hy Ihe Committee appointed for that purpose at lbe last meeting, was laid on the table. Tbe report was principally made up of tables, showing the transactions of the Board during the year ended 3 let December, 1878, most of which have already been published m this journal. The introductory remarks of lbe Chairmau are as follows : — " Education Oflice, Timaru. "May, 1879. " To the Honorable the Minister for "Education. "Sib, — I have the honor to submit the general report of the Board of Education for tbe eight months of tbe year ending December 3 1 st, 1878, during which the Board has been m operation. " The Board was created by ' The Education Act, 1877,' and by the 13th clause of the Act the members were elected m April, 1878. The first meeting of the Board was held on the 30th April. Cp to this time tbe affairs of the district had been administered by the North Canterbury Board, and I would take this opporl unity of acknowledging the obligations of our Board to the Chairman and Secretary of the Norlh Canterbury Board for their courtesy m rendering every assistance m starting the work of our office. " The following gentlemen were duly elected bs the Board, and no change had taken place m its constitution before tbe end of the year: — Herbert Belfield, Esq., (Chairman), Rev George Barclay, Bey WUliam Gillies, Samuel W. Goldsmith, Esq., James Gionger, Esq., William B. Howell, Esq., Daniel L. Inwood, Esq , William Poetlethwaite, Esq., Edward H. Tate, Esq. " Dp to the end of the year Jflfl een meetings of the Board were held, witb an average of 7-8 members present. " Buildings. — "lbe new school districts of Claremont, Hunter, Makikihi, Upper Otaio, and Totara Va ley had been proclaim! d by the Northern Board, and contracts had been entered into for the erection of school buildings at Claremont and Hunter, wbich were completed under our own Board. The Makikihi and Upper Otaio buildings were subsequently contracted for, and the schools were ready for occupation at the end of the year. After considerable enquiry it was decided to divide the Totara Valley district into two districts, and it was accordingly reproclaimed as the Totara and Opihi. School ou.ldings m these two districts are m course of erection. "The Board has, dnring the year, proclaimed the new school districts of Waiho, Waituna Creek, Fairl-.e Creek, Burkes Pass, North Orari, South Orari, and Wai-iti. No contract for school bnilding m these districts had been let before the end of the year, bnt the wbole of tbe. buildings are now m course of erection. A considerable addition to the Timaru School had been sanctioned by the Northern Board, and lhe work bas since been completed. " The rap d development of the Sontb Canterbury district hss necessitated large ex* penditure m new school buildings, and m ad-

diii .ns to existing schools, but on account of the insufficient-^ of the Hovernm nt grant for buildings, many claims have been refused. " Maintenance — lhe maintenance account shows a considerable balance, mainly owing lo the fact that the Board had lo be very careful at the out-et, m tbe distribution of its funds, and deferred the consideration of many items of expenditure. As a necessary consequence, many accounts will fall to be met during the current year, which would otherwise have appeared m the last year's balancesheet, and it is expected that the greater portion of the existing balance will be absorbed during the current year. "The total number on the roll for the December quarter was 2666 ; the working' average was 1877 ; and the total rate of payment for teachers' salaries was £5710 per annum, or a little over £3 per head on the average attendance. " The whole of the 10s grant to com* mittees has been distributed according to a graduated scale (appended), but general dis-. satisfaction has been expressed at the inadequacy of tbe grant. The matter has been strongly represented to tbe Department by the Board, but it appears that the vote for education would not admit of any increase for this purpose. " Examinations. — Towards tbe end of the year the Department authorised the Board to bold an examination of teachers, and cert ficates were granted to the following candidates: — Mr G. Barclay ... Class Hl.— Division IIL Mr J. Stewart ... Class lll. —Division 11. Mr J. M. Beechey Clajßlll. — Division IIL Miss F. Cramond... Class 111. — Division I. Mr J. Bellemin ... Class 111. — Division IIL " The annual examination of pupil teachers and the examination for scholarships did not take pace until the first week m Marcb, 1879. " Regulations. — Tho Board has prepared regulations for the employment of teachers, for the employment of pupil teachers, for granting scholarships, and for the payment and disbursement of the Incidentals grant to committees. These regulations are appended to the report. "Public Libraries. — The grant for 1878 under " The Public Libraries Subsidies Act " was not received before tbe end of the year, but has since been distributed as follows . — £ xt. d. Government Grant 211 2 9 Expenses of Advertising 4 19 6 Net amount for distribution ...£206 3 3 Distribution by Board — £ s. d. Waimate 59 0 10 Temuka 53 19 7 Geraldine 45 7 2 Hilton (Kakahu)... 14 13 4 Wincheater ... 16 19 8 Pleasant Point ... 915 10 Waitohi Flat ... 6 6 10 £206 8 S " Compulsory Attendance. — Most school committees have passed resolutions aiming at bringing the compulsory clauses of the Act into force, but bave there stopped, owing to the difficulties to be encountered m enforcing tbe provisions of the Act, and apparently shrinking the respansibility of incurring tho expense attendant on any further aotion. " Schedules and Reports. — "Very complete tables of expenditure, attendance, ko., oompiled according to the Department's requirements are appended, together with the Inspector's report, and tbe report an the teachers' examination held m October. Tha reports on the examination for scholarships, and the annual pupil teachers' examination, held m Maroh, 1879, are also appended, as their value to teachers end committees would be considerably lessened by reserving tbem for the next annual report, to which they would justly belong. " School Books. — In the absence of any special regulations on the matter, committees and teachers have been allowed to choose their text books from the published list sanctioned by tbe Education Department. " I have the honor, kc, " Hebbbbt Belfield, " Chairman." It also contained the following report, submitted by the Insppetor : — "Education Office, " Timaru, "May, 1879; " To H. Belfield, Esq., " Chairman of tbeßoard. " Sir, — I have the honor to submit my General Beport for tbat psrt of the year ending December 31st, 1878, during wbich I have held office under your Board. " I entered on my duties at tho date of my appointment, July Ist, and it was at once erident that the exceptionally pressing work of organising the new education district would prevent muoh active inspection of the well-eßtablißhrd schools before the end of the jear. My Bttentian bas therefore beea mainly devoted to the organising and executive work of the offico, and to fostering the formation of new school distriots and tbe erection of schools. " In the work of inspection not muob has been done. The South Canterbury dißtrio-. hai: been previously under my immediate m Bpection as a part of the Canterbury district, and m continuing the work of inspection under tbe new Board, all Bohools urgently requiring inspeotion were visited before tbe end of the year. "The routine of examination pursued was tbe Bame as tbat previously m force under the Canterbury Boar I, and 1 have to report very little change m the results attained. Our schools are, comparatively speaking, efficiently officered, snd the work done will probabl; compare favorably with any produced m similar schools m New Zealand. At the same time, I am far from resting satisfied with the results already produced. Two main defects are perceptible m a greater or le?B degree m almost all our schools. They are, a lack of thorough, easy discipline, and a want of continuity, firmness, and method m the teaching. Both defects are attributable to a want of training m the teachers. To try, m some measure, to remedy tbese defects will be one of my principal works for the current year. It has long been evident tbat most of our district masters and untrained teachers required something more tban periodical inspection of their schools, and it has often been the erpeised wish of teacher* that the Inspector should spend a day or two m their schools, and practically demonstrate tbe means of improvement recommended m method of teaching and m organif ation. Tho £80 'Training Grant* given by the Department has been supplemented by the Board, and a certificated maßter has been engaged, who will be available, m pressing cases, for temporary service as master, and who at other times will so relieve me of office work, tbat I shall be able to give tbe material help to teachers, so long shown to be necessary. " Another matter claiming the best attention ofthe Board is tbe inefficient training and education obtained by our pupil teachers. A considerable number of these young persons are now m the Bei vice of the Board, and — apart from the question of ultimate benefit to the Board and the profession — they may fairly demand an effective training m return for their term of service. Tbe employment of pupil teachers, however, appears to be generally looked upon as a happy means of disposing of the drudgery of teaching the lower classes, and aB, even m tbis duty, tbey receive comparatively little training for tbeir work, the infant classes are generally deplorably backward and depressed by an utter want of tone, and tbe pupil teachers themselves, at the expiration of their term, ' are quite unfit for responsible positions, and possess very little knowledge of their profession. At a recent ezamination, m answer to a question on school management, I was informed that a first year pupil teacher should do little more than 'fill ink wells, fetch slates end books, and tell|wbo speaks.' I regret that I did not ascertain Ibis candidate's views on tbe duties of senior pupil teachers. While euch ideas prevail there is ample work for an organising Inspector. The Board has, iv its recent regulations, made the most liberal provision for tlie traiuing and remuneration of pupil teachers, and will be justified m expecting commensurate results. " The institution of aseparate Board/orthe South Canterbury District has facilitated the formation of many school districts necessitated by the rapid development of the country. At the end of tbe year 1878 seventeen schools were at work m the Education , District. By tbe fnd of the current year t iirty-one schools should be m active opera- . ti>o Tbe Board has made great efforts, with i the means at its disposal, to meet all pressing demands for school buildings, and the work

of subsequent years should be compa-atircly easy. " AU thc new schools will bo well supplied with furniture nnd apparatus of the most suitable description. 'J'he schoo's already ertnhlii-heil arc m most cates well furnished. In one respicl., however, there is a deplorable exception. In none of our !arg<-r schools has nny attempt been made to properly arrange and furnish lho infant departments. This defect has been brought prominently forward, and provision lias been made for proporly f urnisbingand organising thc infant departments m nil cases. Tosupply them with suitable apparatus will be a more difficult, matter, as our principal school stationers appear to have entirely overlooked infant school requirements. "Thc sehool grounds nnd premises generally, are m many cuts fnr fr m presenting that neat, clean, and well-kept appearance that is essential to the proper training of the children. It is no uncommon thing to find dirty grounds, and petty damages to buildings and apparatus standing m tho sumo condition at two or more visits to a school, or lending m tho course of months to further serious damnge, causing com-i'lerublo outlay. Tbe same oxcii'o is invariably given by committees—' We have no funds.' It is abundantly evidint that tho incidental grant is not sufficient for thc legitimate requirements of committees, and unless tLo grunt can be augmented by Government or supplemented by the residents themselves, tho efficiency and tono of thc schools must continue to suffer. " No provision hes yet been made by the Board for uniformly enforcing tho provisions of clause 85 of tho Act, which relates to military drill and physical education. The Board cannot, probably, follow ihe courso adopted by some of the larger Boards, ond appoint a drill instructor for tho district, but it up pears desirable that. Buitithlo gymnn.«tic apparatus should be supplied to all schools, and that a short code of regulations should be issued for Ihe guidance, of teacher*. *' AU clnsses of teachers feel keenly thc difficulties occmtioncl by irregular attendance, and anxiously- await the institution of active measures for bringing tho compulsory clau-es of the Act inlo operation. At present irregular attendance is tho great hindrance to progress. I can fully endorse thc opinion of an Inspector of Schools m England, where matters appear to be littlo better, thus expressed : 'The evil exists everywhere, and its consequences are mosl sorious. It contributes more than any other cause towards keoping down the standard of attainment, and preventing tho realisation of Ihose better results which from year to year we huve been looking foi m vain.' " Beforo closing my report, I wißh to record my appreciation of tho valuablo work dono. by school committees. Tbeir efforts aro considerably cramped from insufficiency of funds, but their onerous duties have been carried out with considerable enerpy. Their absence would be seriously felt, especially m new districts, nnd their presence creates an active interest m the education of the district which otherwise would bo almost entirely wanting. " I have the honor to be, Sir, " Your obedient servant, "Henbt W. Hammond, "Inspector of Schools." The report was compiled with the view of forwnrdiug it to tho Minister for Educution, and on the motion of Mr Wakefield, seconded by the Rev. Mr Barclay, it wus adopted. CORRESPONDENCE. The following correspondence was read : — Erom the Secretary for Education, m reply to a communication from Iho Board, stating that a voucher had been passed for the Bum of £2600, for school building purposes, it being the balunce of a grant voted for that purpose last year, but that the Government could not advanco any of next year's money grant until after the 31st inst. Another letter, from Ibe tame source, was read, neking the Boord to forward estimates of their requirements for tho coming year. A circular letter, from the same source wns also read which was to tho effect that although the grant for school buildings must cxclusirely bo expended ou buildings, yet it was neither intended nor expected that the entiro cost of building and furnishing should ho defrayed out of that special vote, ns it was only regarded as Bimply supplementary to the ordinary capitntion g-nnt. Section 43 of the Education Aot provided that Boards could make payments for school buildings, kc, oub of the Board's funds, as well as the payment of teachers, or nny of the otber purposes on which money may be expended. The Government therefore conld not undertake to defray out of the special vote the entire cost of school buildings and furniture, audit wob incumbent on the Board to devote ns large a Bum as possiblo out of their ordinary capitation grant to this purpose, nnd to regard the building voto as only supplementary. Tho Rev. Mr Barclay was extremely surprised by tbe contents of the letter just read* The impression on his mind was that tho amount voted for maintenance was quite distinct from the sum voted for building purposes, and should be devoted only to tho payment, of teacher* and the other specified objects for wliich it had been granted. He thought that one penny of it should not not be expended on building operations, for which a Bpecial sum hod been granted. Tho Chairman eaid thut it wns simply impossible for tho Board to spare any money out of the maintenance fund for building purposes, as the Board had quito enough to do to meet its liabilities out of tho amount voted for maintenance. On tbe motion of the Rev. Mr Barclay, seconded by Mr Postlethwaite, it was resolved — " That m referenco to circular No. 28 from the Education Department, thia Board.'liaving made the most economical regu ations regarding touching staff and salaries, see no ■ hopo of devoting to buildings, repairs, kc, any portion of thoir fuid derived from the capitation grant." Another letter was read from tho Education Department, m reference to the amount due to the Board for scholarships, and Btating thut the Board should apply for that sum duringthe month of Juno. Another lotter from the same source, m reply to a letter from theßoard.statingthatin cases where the attendance m schools decreased through illness, or other causes, the Government, had no funds at its disposal to vote a special Bum for the maintenance of such schools, the payments being made m accordance with tho average attendance. After some conversation, the Rev. Mr Barclay moved, Mr Wakefield seconded, and it was carried — " Tbat the Education Department be requested to strongly represent to the Government the necessity of increasing the grant for Incidentals from 10s per head to 165." TIMABU SOHOOL. A letter was read from the Committee of the above school requesting the Board to reconsider their decision m regard to allowing the membors of the Committee to peruse the recent examination papers. Mr Wakefield said tho less said about the question of allowing the Committee to read the examination papers the better. The object was to draw the Board into a long discussion, out of which no good could como. He was still m favor of refusing to allow tbe examination papers to be read by tho Committee. Tho Bey. Mr Barclay thought they could obtain as much information as they would require. He saw no necessity for granting the request of the Committee. The Secretary said tbat two of the members of the Board of Examiners were not members of the Education Board, and that they had no objection to allowing the papers to be examined. The Chairman said the Committee would find all the information they required m tbe annual report which tbey had that day adopted. After some further conversation it was resolved, on the motion of Mr Postlethwaite, seconded by Mr Howell — "Tbat with reference to the request of tbe Timaru Committee to have tho scholarship examination papers of the Timaru scholars submitted to tbem, the Board see no reason to aiter the decision already arrived at." Another letter was read from the Timaru School Committee, stating tbat they had not received notice to nominate members to act on the Board m time to obtain the consent of gentlemen willing to act. The Seoretary stated that he had posted a circular to the Timaru School Oommittee, on the 22nd of May, at tho same, time as he posted them to other School Committees. The Chairman said that with reference to I the illegality pointed out by the Committee, j <

it wus ull a mistake. Thc Chairman had power to appoint, uny time for ti.e election. On tho motion of Mr Postlethwaite, seconded by Mr Howell, it wm resolved — "Timlin reply toa letter from the Timaru School Committee, complaining of tho illoKulity of a certain noiice respecting nominations of members for the Board, the Board fails to see the illegality referred to." Anollier letter wa: received from tbe came source, urging tho desirability of erecting a side-school for Timaru as soon as possible. Mr Wakefield suid that no doubt a school whb very much wanted, but the cite proposed would not suit. As regarded the number of pupils stated to be on the rolls by the Committee, ho thought the Commitleo ought to havo tuken into consideration the number wliich would bu taken away by the Catholic School*. He had no doubt that from 100 to 150 children would be tiken away. 'Iho Rev. Mr Barcluy ncognized the desirability of erecting a side-school, but disapproved of tho proposed site. He thought it ought to be nearer Saltwater Creek. He, with other members, would like to wait until they knew what influence tho Catholic School would huve up->n tho attendance of the Timaru public school, Tho Chuirman said the amount provided for tbo school was insullicient. He thought that nothing less than JCIOO J would be nccseary. Mr Howell said they would not thiuk of exronding £1000 m a country district, on a school which would accommodate 100 children. The Secretary informed tho Board that they had alreudy expended over £1000 on a ochool which would only accommodate 60 children m a country district. Mr Pottlethwuito wished to know how many Catholi(s were m the Timaru School, so'that they might be ablo to ÜBcertain the number of children of which the Catholio School would relieve the Timuru sJcho-jl. The Secretary did not think they could orrivo at it m that way, os many of the Protcafcaut children would go lo the Catholic School, providtd tho educution given m it was Butisfuclory. Thu Rev. Mr Barclay suggested to plico £1000 for a side-school for Timaru on the estimates, und after some further conversation Mr Howell proposed, Mr Wakefiold seconded, »nd it was curried — "That the further consideration of a side school for Timaru be postponed till the effects of tho opening of the Komon Catholic school on the ultendance be ascertained ; m tho meantime the Secretary bo instructed to prosecute his inquiries as to a suitable site for side school." TEMUKA SCHOOL. A letter was read from the Committeo of the above school, asking for a Eecond teacher, ■ and recommending that Miss Bertha Brown should receive a salary, as she wus recognised as ono of the teachers of tbe school. Tbo following letter fiom tho above Committeo was also read -. — " Temuka, 24th May, 1879. " To the Chairman, " The Boaid of Education, Timaru. " Sib, — 1 am requested to writo to you asking tho Board to adveitiae for a socond master for Temuka School. This the Commiltee considersjit is now entitled to by tho new regulations. I have alao been instructed to bring the case of Miss Bertha Brown boforo the notice of the Board. That yoHng lady has been teaching m the school Bince August last, sometime as v monitor, during tho last six months as a pupil teacher. During the courso of this period she has passed her examinations as a pupil teacher, and Ihe Committee consider thnt during the current quartor, nt least, she is entitled to Ihe usual salary, being recognised ns one of tho staff of teachers, uud it is tbe wish of tho Oommittee that these matters be at once attended to. I ara ulso requeued to state that, if the report of the Timaru Berald bo correct, the Board's snubbing m regard to the bell was uncalled for and most ungenllemanly, such as they considered the Bonrd incapable of. The Committee only asked a bell for the school m compliance with the request of tho head muster, and from being lpd to believe that tho Board would not refuse such a reasonable demand. If the Board were not prepared to grant thc Committee's request, it might have staled bo m language such as v body who are put forward aa tho pattern of rcfineme-t might be expected to use. I im nis > requested to state thut the Committee desires that thimutter may bo further considered nt a full meeting, when it feels sure it will not refuse what hus been granted to other schools of le ; s impoit-'uce. 1 " I nm, " Yours respoctfully, i " Alexandeb Wilson, " Chairman of Committee." The Se ret ary rend the letter sent by bin-, to i the Committee, which was to tho effect that, considering the present Btnto of nccounts, tbe Board could not grant tho Bum of £9 for a bell, but would sanction tho purchase of a i hand bell similar to the one at the TiniSru ■ School. Some conversation ensued, m which • the insulting tone of this letter ivas very much deprecated, but no action was taken m • refereuce to it. Another letter from the same source, , aeking for the school to be inspected. Also, a let tor asking for a refund of £7 15s lld, • which had beon expended on fencing, nnd £11 7s Gd, which had been spent for school requisites. The Secretary said he had received another letter from Waimate, m which tbo Bame principle was involved. The expenditure had not been authorised by the Board, but of courso the Committee had power to expend tbo amount they had for incidental 'fund. They were poid up to the end of the June quurter, so that if they had expended all they > had received for incidentals, tbey would have to go another month without any money. The Rev. Mr Barclay deprecated the idea of refunding to School Committees sums they had expended without tbe sanction of the ■ Board. Mr Wakefield thought if such things were allowed it might lead to extravagant expenditure. Mr Goldsmith exploined that, with regard to the Waimato School, the expenditure wub urgently required, and could not ho delayed. Both the pumps at the school and master's bouse were rendered useless at the same time, and if he, as Chairman, hai to pay it out of his own pocket, he would have put them m repair at the time, because the ' matter was such as could not be postponed until authority bad been obtained from the Board. Mr Wakefield moved—" That the request : from the Waimate Committeo, for payment i of an account incurred by thorn for necessary services, bo ncceded to ; but that the Committee be informed that they have no right to ' incur expenditure outside of their incidentals witbout tho approval of tho Board, and that tho Board will not consider any future appli- > cation of tho kind ; and that the request from the Temuka Committee be referred tj 1 the Finance Committee." The motion was seconded by Mr Howell, '. and agreed to after some further conversation. onn i school, A letter was read from the manager of the New Zealand and Australian Land Company, stating that tho Company would be willing to sell from five to ten acres of land to the Board, for the above school, at £10 per aore ; cash ; or £12 per acre on deferred payment, at 6J per cent. On the motion of Mr Howell, seconded by Iho Rev. Mr Barclay, it was resolved — "That the Board authorise the Secretary to treat with tho Levels Land Company for an addition of three acres, to the Opihi School grounds." PLEASANT VA-IBY SOHOOL. In reply to a question asked by Mr Postlethwaite, respecting the abovescbool, the Secretary stated that he had received a communication from the Oommittee m which they expressed a wish to have the school removed to the other side of the river instead of the site to which it had been arranged to remove it. If this request were complied with the contract of Messrs Walker and Scroggie wonld fall through. A good deal of conversation was held on tbis subject, the tenor of which was to the effect • that it would involve liabilities for which the i Board was not prepared, but no action was i taken m the matter. , TEACHING STAFF. ( The Secretary said he hod received appli- ; cations from various schools, all of which were m accordance with the new scale of staff and salaries. The Pareora school re- i quired a pupil teaoher ; the Waahdyke sohool 1

n sewing mistress and a pupil teacher ; the Milford school a Eewiug mistre=s ; the Geraldine school a mistress and recond master, vite Hies Mcl'hee and Mr Barclay resigned. On the motion of tl.o Rev. llr Barclay, sei-ouded by Mr Howe)], it was reßolved — " Thai lhe Secretary, m reference to new appointments applied fur, tuke steps m accoranco with lhe new regulations. NOMI.S'ATIONS. The following gentlemen were nominated by variouß Bchool committees to sit as members of the Board vice Messrs Inwood and Gillies resigned, viz., Messrs R. A. Barker M. Grey, T. Hardcastle, F. W. Marchaut, K. F. Gray, nnd C. G. Tripp. Only eight cominitlecß nominated members. WAini licsii school. A letter was reud from the Committee of the above school, complaining that no bell turret was to be erected m the new school, and that a pump should huve been supplied, instead of v Bunk tunk. In reply to questions the Secretary staled that ample provision had been made for a supply of water for tho school. Mr Wakefield asked what about tho bell. The bell was a part of tho furniture of the Bchool. Ho moved — "That tho Waihi Bush Committee be informed that the bell not being a fixture is not cold with tho building ; and thut instructions will be given for hanging it m the now building ; that tho Board consider thut sufficient provision for water supply has already been made." The motion was seconded by Mr Goldsmith, and agreed 10. APPOINTMENTS. Thirteen applications for the appointment of second .'cacher m the Timaru School, und second teacher m the Temuka Schoo) were received. On tho motion of Mr Wakefield, seconded by Mr Goldsmith, it was resolved — '* That the application for the second mastership of the Timuru School be referred to the Timaru Committee, with a request that they will recommend ono of them at their earliest convenience ; that ' tho Chairman have power to make the appointment ; and that the remaining applications which also apply to Temuko bo forwarded with other applications for tho Temuka second mastership to that School Committee." TIMABU MASTEB'S HOUSE. A question with regard to tho Timaru master's homo having been brought forward by the Secretary, it was resolved, on the motion of the Rev. Mr Barclay, seconded by Mr Howell — " That the Secretary give instructions to tho architect to furnish the residence of the master of the Timaru school with suitable window rollers ; the architect to call for tenders for the same, such tenders to bo before the Board on tho 'Bth inßt." SCHOLAKSniPS. Mr Wakefield moved — " That the Secretary take immediate steps to obtain from Unsuccessful candidates m the la'e scholarship examination all necessary certificates, and such certificates having been found satißfuctory, he be directed to pay tho Bums due for tho quarter ending Muy 31st." ADJOUIiNMENT. The mcoting then adjourned to the 18th inst., when a special meeting will bo held for Ihe election of two members.