EDUCATION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 700, 20 August 1870, Page 2

EDUCATION.

A publio meeting, tode'tCrmine what steps should be taken in the establishment of a benevolent fund, the periodical meeting together for the dissemination of ideas on educational matters, the initiation of a system of Examination Certificates, not confined to teachers, aud the endeavour to raise by mutual co-operation, teachers to their proper social sphere, was held at the Literary Institute, at 7 o'clock last evening. There was a numerous attendance, and amongst thoße present were the Very Rev. the Dean, William Montgomery, George Gould, Rev. C. Eraser, Dr. Turnbull, T. W. Maudo, Rev. J. Campbell, Kev. C. Bowen, J. P. Restell, (Inspector of Schools), J. G. Hawkes. The chair was taken by the Very Rev. the Dean of Christchurch. In taking the chair, the Dean said he must be allowed to express hia sense of tbe honour which had been done bim by those who had requested him to occupy the position. He felt it to be a great honour, and at the same time a responsibility ; but wben he was requested to take the chair two reasons occurred to him which male him feel that be ought not to decline the request, and that he should not be altogether in a false position — Ist, he was in one sense tbe oldest schoolmaster in Canterbury, having first begun to ketp a school iu 1851, shortly after the arrival of the first settlers, and continued to act as a schoolmaster until 1863. In the second place, he yielded to none in the amount of interest he took in the subject wbieh they had met to discuss. But to come to the business of the meeting. They were already aware of the object for whioh the present meeting was convened. It was universally admitted that schoolmasters in this province were miserably paid, and the time had come when the salaries of schoolmasters should be augmented. It was also necessary than an endeavour should be made by mutual co-operation to raise teachers to their proper social sphere. One of the objects of the movement was tbe establishment of a benevolent fund, or a provident fund, if any objection were taken to thc term " benevolent." The second object wis to secure the periodical meeting together for the dissemination of | ideas on educational matters; the third object I was the initiation of a system of Examina-i tion Certificates; and fourth, tbe endeavour' [ to raise by mutual co-operation, teachers to their proper social sphere. This was a very legitimate object ; it might be difficult to say by what precise measures the object could be attained; it might probably be attained by bringing an intelligent influence to bear on the discussion of educational topics. Generally, be thought that this movement , was calculated to advance the cause of those who bad so great a right to endeavour to influence public opinion on this subject. A feeling prevailed abroad tbat there was very much room for improvement. (Hear, hear.) It would not be becoming in him to express strong opinions of his own, but he must say tbat a general impression bad gained ground — Ist, as to tbe constitution of the Education Board, tbat it should be an elective instead of a nominated Board. He said tbis witb all respect to the gentlemen who composed tbe Board; he did not think that they could get better— (hear, hear)— but he must say that he believed an elective Board would give more satisfaction to schoolmasters and the public generally.^ (Hear, hear.) He must apologise for having spoken at suoh length in opening the proceedings; the great interest he took in the matter must be his excuse. Mr Elwin (Halswell school) said he bad no doubt the meeting would have been very much more largely attended, especially' by persons from the country,but for the threatening nature of the weather. Mr Elwin explained what had already been done towardß tbe establishment of a Canterbury Educational Institute. It must be understood that the Association was not formed in opposition to the Board of Education. With the Board of Education, it could do great things; without the Board, the Association must collapse. He begged to move—" That in the opinion of this meeting it is desirable that an Association of those interested in education in New Zealand to be called ' The Canterbury Educational Institute' be formed for the following purposes: — Ist. The formation of a benevolent fund for the relief and pension of those actually engaged in teaching;' 2, the promotion of education generally in the colony by tbe holding of meetings for the discussion and improvement of systems by those interested therein; 3, the raising of the social status of schoolmasters by the granting of certificates of examination, which shall be issued by an independent body under the auspices of the Association." Mr Bestbll stated that any Association having for its object the mutual improve* ment of schoolmasters, would have his hearty co-operation. Mr Morgan (Templeton School) seconded tbe resolution. The Rev. C. Bowen signified his hearty •co-operation with any movement which •would have for result the mutual improvement of schoolmasters. As to the establishment of. a provident fund, he should be glad if the Government would provide for schoolmasters in their old age by pensions. He approved of the second part of the resolution,' but be would suggest the withdrawal of the fourth part relating to the raising of teachers to their proper social scale. Tbe Rev C. Fraber was glad to support tbe resolution which had been brought forward by two of their teachers, and if he suggested any alteration, it would be only still further to promote their views. He hoped they would change tbe name " Institute," for a reason which many present would easily guess at. There was a curious Chinese toy which some present bad probably seen, consisting of a large ball with a smaller one inside of it, and a still smaller one inside of tbat again. Now such would be their position

*■■ * **...** to-night as an Institute. They woifld'tejan Educational Institute in the rooms' occupied by the Philosophical Institute, which rooms were in a building belonging to the Literary Institute. Thia would make them look very small indeed ; and some present would scarcely know for the time to which of tbe institutes they belonged. (Laughter.) The word Association which had been repeatedly employed by tho Dean and Mr Elwin, would be a good substitute. On one topic introduced by Dean Jacobs, he wished to say a few words ; it was that of nominated and elected Boards. There was an old saying in some parts of the home country, •* Shew me the man, and I'll shew you the law." It did not represent a very good state of things. But they had lately got quite a striking illustration of it. A measure had been introduced into the House of Representatives in Wellington which he regarded as the most important educational measure ever brought forward in the colony, and the advantages of which would be shared in by all who were connected with education in New Zealand He meant the New Zealand University Bill. (Bear, hear.) It appeared that their representatives — Messrs Rolleston and Tancred — had stopped the progress of tbat Bill by moving that the University Council or Board should be an elected and not a nominated one. Now tbis was an astonishing and startling change of opinion, which could be explained only by their change of place. In this province, these gentlemen were known as the most determined advocates of nomination as against election. They advocated nominated instead of elected Superintendents. Tbey were, tho one the nominator, and tbe other the chairman, of an exclusively nominated Board of Education — (laughter and applause) — and yet, up in Wellington, tbey could exert themselves to upset a valuable measure for the advancement of the highest educational interests in the colony, because it was proposed that the Council should be nominated by the Governor, while they, for once in their lives, would prefer election. Such egregious inconsistency was very marvellous. And, after all, tbis newly-developed love of election could not be attributed to any liberality of views, for the same gentleman tried to cut out the provision of the Bill, by wbich, for the future, the election of the Council should be left in the hands of the best possible body of those namely who graduate at the University, and who would hare the liveliest desires for its prosperity. The Dean had said that the best practicable arrangement would be to have first a nominated and afterwards an elected Council or Board. (The Dean intimated his asssent.) With this view he perfectly agreed. He did not know whether the Dean had the University Bill in his eye when he said so, but at all events he very exactly described the provisions of that Bill. It had been proposed, he believed, by Mr Fox, that under the provisions of Mr Richmond's Bill, the University Council should be tbe highest Education Board of the colony. This was how they managed things in France. The University of France took cognizance of the entire Educational system of tbe conntry from elementary, or even infant schools, up to tbe most advanced classes of the Polytechnique and other similar institutions. Much might be done to promote the interests of the schoolmasters by enabling them to attend classes at the University, and by the Board of Education devoting certain annual sums for the benefit of teachers according to their periods of service, and also by voting additional allowances to those who would submit to higher examinations. Dr Turnbull condemned the present education system in ' this province, which, although well administered, did not- effect the education of the children of the masses, especially in the country districts, and moreover tbe system was calculated, not to elevate but rather to depress the status of the teachers. Dr Turnbull also advocated a compulsory system of Education, and the necessity bf thiß was felt in England, and yet they found that the chief ruler, in his place in the General Assembly, had declared that he saw no reason for altering the existing condition of things. Messrs Ward, Chairman of Local Committee, Mount Grey Downs ; Meredith, Fernside School ; and Mitchell, Heathobte Valley Sohool, next addressed the meeting. Ultimately, tbe Rev. C. Fraser moved tbe following amendment " That in the opinion of tbis meeting it is desirable that an Association of those interested in Education in the province of Canterbury be established under the name of the Education Association of Canterbury." Tbe Rev. C. Bowen seconded the amendment, which was carried. Tho Rer. C. Bowen moved "That a Committee be formed to define the objects of the Association, and to draw up rules for its government ; the Committee to report on the 9th September." The Rev. J. Campbell seconded the resolution, wbicb was carried. The Rev. C. Bowen then moved " That the Committee should consist of the following members : — The Very Rev. the Dean of Christchurch, Rev. C. Fraser, Mr Elwin, Mr Jacobson, Dr Turnbull, Mr Hawkes, Mr J. S. Williams, Mr Glyde, Mr Cumberworth, and Mr Hawley. The Rev, J. Campbell seconded the motion, which was agreed to. The meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to the Chairman.