SOUTH CANTERBURY BOARD OF EDUCATION.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 3720, 3 September 1886, Page 3

SOUTH CANTERBURY BOARD OF EDUCATION.

» Tho regular monthly meeting of the above board was held yesterday morning, the following members being V-HE3BNT. Mr J. W. Goldsmith (chairman) Revs. G-. Barclay and J. Srnythe, Dr Foster, Messrs J. Talbot, W. B. Howell, J. Jackson, ondß. A. Barker. MINUTES. Tho minutes of the last meeting wore read and confirmed. THE CHAIRMAN STATED That since last regular meoting no appointments had been made nor had any resignations been received. Tho office work had gone on very satisfactory and there was nothing special m tho reports to occupy tho time of the Board. OOVP.BNMBNT COBBESrONDENCB. From the Education office to the effect that " the amendment proposed appears to bo unnecessary, the Board already having power to approve from time to time and m each p&rticular case subject only to the limitations imposed by tho Education Act of proposals to send its scholars to one school rather than to another. An amendment could not give more power, even if it professed to give more ; it would be inoperativo a3 being contrary to the Education Act." The answer was not considered very explicit, but the matter wus al'owed to drop. From the same informing the board that after consideration by the Minister of Education of the arguments advanced by the various BoaHs m opposition to tha principle enunciated m circular 86/4 of May 19, he was quite unable to consent to any expenditure m repairs and painting out of money granted from the proceeds of Public Works' Loans. He would deem it necessary to deduct from amounts duo by way of capitation allowance an equivalent for any sum tiken from a building grant for any other purpose than one of those recognised m circular 86/4. THE INSPECTOR'S PKI'OET Was presented to the following effect : — The Hilton, Goraldine Flat, Opihi and Mount Gay Schools had been inspected, and the Waihao Bchool, (closed), had b-en visited. The inclemency of the weather had interfered largely with inspection work. Full sets of examination pipers, (about 200) sufficient for tbo year, and preparations for the approaching annual examinations. Tho report submitted a form of examination report, modified slightly from that furnished by the Department m Wellington. Tho report of the Inspector, re pupil teachers' examinations, which was read at hst meeting, was received, tho Inspector's recommendation re books being carried. Tho Inspector's report re MOUNT QAY SCHOOL Was read, and did not givo satisfaction. The state of the register was not as clear as could ho desired, the attendance was not good, and the teaching might be hotter. It was decided to write to the teacher for an oxplanation. OI.EN-ITI LIDBART. The Rev. Geo. Barclay reported interviewing tho trustees m this matter. After consultation ho moved — " That the board lease for a term of years (say four years) to the Committee of tho Glen-iti Institute so much of the present school grounds at Glen-iti (Wai-iti), as may bo comprised within the following measurements — such area to include tho present Instituto Buildings, the committee of the said Instituto engaging to erect, and maintain a proper fenco between tho proposed leasehold and the remainder of the school grounds, and also to make a separate entrance from the public road leading to the library premises. Rent, one shilling per annum. The whole area to be leased to be about a quarter of an acre." The motion was seconded by Mr Howell and carried. Boy. Mr Barclay then read the report of the committee on district nion scnooL beouxation3. 1. Tho subjects of secondary education shall he such as are specified m clause 56 of " The Education Act, 1877," and shall, as far as poßsiblp, include, — higher English, Latin, one foreign modern language, political economy, euclid, algebra, mensuration, and trigonometry, and ona or more branches of physical Beience. 2. The number and character of the secondary subjects taken shall be determined by the pupil on the advice of the head master, and any difficulty of choice shall be referred to the Board's inspector. 3. Pupils shall not be permitted to enter on a course of secondary subjects un il they have passed the fourth standard of the ordinary school course, or have satisfied either head master or inspector that they have attained an equivalent proficiency. 4. Pupils who have not yet passed the sixth standard or attained an equivalent proficiency, or who, having passed, wished to continue m attendance without entering on the Btudy of a secondary subjeot, shall be presented for examination m the ordinary, ; iphool course, * I

5. Pupils who have passed the sixth standard and who wish to begin or continue the study of one or more secondary subjects, shall have their studies so arranged that the tolal number of secondary subjects of primary and secondary subjects combined shall not bo les-i than the number of primary subjects m which they would be examined as members of the sixth standard class. In making this arrangement rending and spelling may be treated as a single subject, and writing and drawing ss a single subject, and the term " primary subjects " shall bo taken to refer to the pass and class subjects only. 6. Instruction m the secondary subjects of higher English, mensuration, and physical science Bhall be understood to mean instruc tion separately given of a more advanced character than that which belongs to the ordinary Bchool course, and shall bo open to those only who have attained the proficiency of the sixth Btandard pass. I. The fees payable by a pupil for secondary subjects shall be— for one subject ton shillings per quarter, for two subjects fifteen shillings per quarter, and for threo or more subjects twenty shillings per quarter. 8. All fees shall be received from the pupils m advance by the school committees and paid to tb.3 Education Board. 9. Head Masters shall receive m addition to their ordinary salary and allowances a capitation payment at the rate of one pound per annum for each secondary subject taken, provided that the capitation payment made m respect of any pupil shall m no case exceed the fees receivable from a pupil. 10. A further capitation allowance at the rate of ten shillings per subject on a similar principle, with the limitation of four subjects, may be granted to not more than one assistant member of the staff who shares m the work of secondary education to the extent of teaohing at least one secondary subject. 11. The head master shall be a graduate of some university, shall have full control over both primary and secondary departments, and shall personally teach at least one complete secondary subject. 12. To secure the efficient teaching of both primary and secondary departments the Board may make such alterations m or additions to the ordinary teaching staff as m its discretion it may from time to time see Gt. 18. An examination of the secondary subjects shall take placo at least once a year, and on the result) of the examination certificates of proficiency under the seal of the board will be issued to those pupils who satisfy the examiner m any course or section of course, or m any subject or group of subjects, as set forth m the following scheme. Such certificates shall be of three grades, each corresponing to the year's work of i»n advanced pupil ; but as it is recommended that the initiation of secondary studies should not be postponed till the pupils have passed all the ordinary standard examinations, the first course is divided into two sections, and certificates of the junior grade may be granted for proficiency m each section separately. A scheme of subjects was appended. Another clause of the report dealt with the iubject of pupil teachers, expressing the opinion that the supply of passed pupil teachers would exceed the demand for certificated teachers. The report suggested the establishment of buriaries for pupil teachers, and reversion to the former practice of the board m the appointment of teachers. A short discussion ensued on snndry of the clauses, but the regulations wero adopter). With regard to the clause dealing with pupil tench or «, Dr Fostor thought that the Board would bo assuming a, serious responsibility if they made the appointment of teachers a means for finding billets for superfluous pupil teachors. Bey. Mr Barclay said the committeo had only mentioned a 'difficulty, but had not made any proposals. I Rev J. Smytho said tho only meaning of the committee was to give an ex-pupil teacher (caeferis jiaribus) the choico over another candidate. Dr. Foster said he quite approved of the reversion to the original practice of appointing teachers, so long as the principal of foieting pupil teachers on tho committees was not sub audita. Mr Tttlbot thought that such reversion would tend to make tho committees mere nonentities. He considered that the committees were generally the best judges of the teacher to suit them. This clnuse reserving appointment of minor tcacherahips to the Board was unnecessary. The large majority of the pupil teachers were girls, and they did but become pupil teachers with every view of taking up teaching as a profession , it was only a temporary expedient m the great number of cases, and he did not think that the board need trouble much about them. He instanced several cases of masters chosen by the committee giving every satisfaction, and of teachers provided by tho board not turning out so well. Mr Barker said if the appointment were left m the hands of the board, the duty would be neglectod, unless they met moro frequently. The plan had been tried before and had not succeeded. Bey Mr Smythe said thero was no resolution on the books giving the power to appoint thoir own teachers. He did not think that until such a resolution was on the books, they could not depute the committees to make such appointments. Bey OK Barclay said the clause embraced two distinct propositions. First there was the question of what was to be done with passed pupil teachers. They had the trouble of educating them for four years, with the intention of drawing upon them, as a reserve, for future teaohing power. There was nothing for the pupil teachers to do, and they consequently fell off to other pursuits. The North Canterbury Board had established such bursaries as the committee suggested, and he trusted that tho board would see their way to doing the Bamo if funds would allow. The other part dealt with the appointment of teachers, and was entirely distinct from the other. Mr Talbot again spoke. Ho approved of the scheme as far as it concerned boys, who usually intended to mako a profession of teaching, but thought it unnecessary as far as regarded girls. Rev G-. Barclay moved that tho Board did not see their way at present for financial reasons to take any action m tho matter, whilst thoroughly appreciating tho noed of providing for passed pupil teachers. — Carried. With regard to tho subject of the appointment of teachers, Her Mr Barclay proposed " That the matter bo adjourned for a month." It wa9 not a pressing matter, and he wished to produce a good deal of information on tha subject. Dr Foster gavo notice to move at next meeting — " That tho present practice of the board by which the chairman and inspector go through the testimonial?, etc., and refer them to tho committee according to the order of the suitability of the applicants be adhered to, with the addition that it is understood that the chairman is authorised to exclude from the list forwarded to the committee any names which shall appear to him to be quite unsuitable." COBBBBPONDBNCE. I cave of absence was granted to Mr Molville Gray for sit months. A clock and bell wero granted to the Fairlio Creek school. £1 -was voted to the Temuka School for gymnastic apparatus. The same school applied for additional teaching power. The inspector had reported the advisability of nn additional junior assistant. The board did not see that they could at present grant the application. Mr James Austin wrote asking whether the boned allowed Ist or 2nd class fares to scholarship holders. Resolved that Mr Austin be informed that second class season tickets rates were allowed. Hilton School Committee asked for two registered grates for the master's house, which was almost uninhabitable from smoke. — Not entertained. Belfield. A letter from the committee was read re leasing the school reserve. Mr Greenawuy wroto offering 5s per aero per annum for a 14 years' lease, and agreeing to fence m the land. Another tender was put m but some littlo doubt was experienced as to whether the amount was 33 6d or 5s fid. It was resolved to call for tenders for the land. Eangitata. An application was mado for the enlargement of the new Bchool, and additional interior accommodation. Rev Mr Barclay said that he had seen the school, and it was totally inadequate for tho requirements of the number of ohildren attending. The question was deferred. I The same committee offered to find the

labour required for fencing, if tho board found the materials, at a cost of about £7. — Agreed to. The North Canterbury Board of Education wrote hoping that trr.ingements would be made whereby Dr Anderson could be spared to enter upon his new duties as inspector of the North Canterbury District on the 18th November. Mr Talbot thought that the inspector should bo released either before the examination began, or be requested to remain until their conclusion. He would euggoat that the new inspector should be engaged for I the whole examination. Rev Mr Barclay expressed his regret at the idea of losing Dr Anderson's valuable services. Had he (the speaker) been present at tho last meeting ho would have endeavoured to suggest some means whereby hia services might be retained. He also thought it would be unfair to allow the examinations to bel conducted by two difforent inspectors. He hoped that the new inspector would be engaged as soon a9 possible, so as to conduct the entire examinations. It was resolved to issue advertisements m New Zealand only, inviting applications for the post, to be sent m as soon as possible ; and to hold a special meeting of the board m two weeks to discuss such applications. Geraldine. Mr Turnbull was appointed to tho mastership. Rangitata Island. A grant of £2 was asked for fencing. £1 was allowed. Orari Bridge. Mr Westropp, the master, wrote explaining certain inaccuracies m the registers. The inspector, who was present, said that he still considered that the master had been guilty of great carelessness. Tho committee wrote, stating that they had asked Mr Weßtropp to resign, although they did not impute any dishonesty to him m marking the registers. Mr Westropp refused to resign until after the meeting of the board. Mr Westropp was m attendance, and was informed by the board that they considered it advisable for his own into-ests and the interests of the school, that he should send m his resignation. They thought the errors which had crept into the registers had been crrorß arising from cnvelessness, and they did not impute any wilful falsification to him. Mr Weßtropp agreed to do so, and withdrew. TIMAEtT BIDE SCHOOL The inspector reported that a change was necesssry. He suggested that it should be made a separate infant school, under a duly certificated mistross of full responsibility. Tho discussion of the proposition was held over till next meeting. Pareora a?ked for a grant towards planting. Half the amount expended was asked for. Mr Talbot said that the committee had the right of letting their reserves, and that they had a fair revenue. The discussion was postponed. ACCOUNTS Amounting to £29 wero passed for payment, and the meeting terminated.