BOARD OF EDUCATION.

Timaru Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 5354, 5 February 1892, Page 3

BOARD OF EDUCATION.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the South Canterbury Board of Education waa held yesterday. Present— Messrs S. W. Goldsmith (ohairman), J. Jackeon, W. Storey, M. Gray, G. H. Rhodes, W. B. Howell, Bey. T. J. Bmyth. The chairman stated that eince last meetine ho had received and accepted tho resignation of Mr James Thompson as headmaster at Pleasant Point, on his appointment to a similar position at South Bakaia. Mr Thompßon had been twelve years m hie present position, and he had invariably proved himselfan intelligent painstaking and ]induetrious teacher and he hoped tbe ohange would prove a promotion to Mr Thompson. In accordance with tho deeiro of the board he had solected Mies McLeod for the post of pupil teacher at Temuka, and MiBB Leslie at St Androws. Thoro was a regulation of tho board which enacts that all bußiness for the board should bo m tho office three days before tho dato of meoting. Thiß m a groat variety of cases is not done, letters coming m by the firßt post on the board's day of mooting and even aftor that, which should have been cnterod and prepared for tho board's consideration. He hoped this practice would not bo continued. lv reference to the reception of correspondence Mr Gray and Mr Howell thought three days too long an interval, and the former moved and it was carried that, m future, correspondence to be laid beforo a meeting of the board must be m the office the day before tho meeting, or it cannot be considered till tbe following meeting. Mr Howell said he would like to ondorse the chairman's expression of regret at Mr Thompson's resignation. That a man had been twelve years m tbe eervice of tbe board was the highest testimonial he could have that, he had satisfied the board. Mr Smyth, ns ono who had known Mr Thompson intimately for eight years, also wished to endoree what had been said. Mr Thompson was very highly, reapeoted, and would bo very much missed by parents und children. He was a man of the highest moral character, and the influence he had exerted m the dietrict had been most beneficial and valuable. Mr W. Storey said he knew Mr Thompson before he entered the board's service, and he was vory B3rry ho was leaving. However ho understood that the change would be to Mr Thompson's advantage— that ho was bettering himself and hie family. In reply to Moeßrj Smyth and Rhodes the chairman etated that no letter had been received from Suthcrlands about the eelection of a subordinate teacher. Tho arohiteot reported that the painting and distempering at Temuka and Waimato were completed ; the contractor for addition to Waimataiti had begun work ; the building at Te Moana would be completed m about a week. Nominations of candidates for threo prospective vacancies on the board were received, from 18 eohools only out of about 60, ns follows : — S. W. Goldsmith 9 nominations, J. Jackson 11, &. H. Bhodes 12, W. Balfour 1, D. M. Boss 1. Thn three first-named are the retiring members. The voting by the committees must bo completed by the end of this month, and the result of the election will be declared at the March meeting On a letter from a Kedcliff resident on the question of removing tho present school versus erection of a second, the board concurred with tho chairman that the circumstances pointed to tho advisability of erecting a second school aa aoon ai tho site is secured. A letter from the headmaster at Hi'ton, m explanation of the results of tho last examination, was accepted a» satisfactory. Mr Richmond, chairman of tho Silvetstream oommittee, wrote a long letter defending his letter to the board at the previoua meeting, respecting tho toacher. Afior a discussion it was resolved that tho previous decision culling on the teacher to resign bo adhered to. It was reaolvod to invite tenders for the erection of a schoolroom at Blackburn, and for ropairiog roof at Milford. Also that tho architect be instructed to mako out the necessary quantities of paints and oil required for the various buildings to be repainted, and that the committees be suppliod with same, and requested to undertake the work. This was all the business.