BOARD OF EDUCATION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4791, 7 September 1883, Page 3

BOARD OF EDUCATION.

♦ NOBTH OANTBBBUBY. An ordinary meeting of the North Canterbury Board of Bduoation was held at 3 p.m. yesterday ; present — Messrs J. Inglis (Chair* mas), A. M. Ounningham, S. 0. Farr. The business done by the Ohairman and appointments made since last meeting, were approved by the Board. In response to a request from the authorities of the Ashburton Catholic Sohool, it was resolved that the Board's inspector might inspect the sohool. It was agreed that the sohool ereoted by the Harbour Board at the Pilot Station should be brought under the oontrol of tbe Board. It was resolved ts reply to a communication from Mr Bishop of Southbridge, inquiring whether the Board would recognise School of Art oertifioatee, that the Board would consult the Government on the question. In view of the small number of soholars . attending the Barr Hill school it was deoided that unless the attendance increased the sohool oould only be carried on under the Board as an aided sohool. The Ohairman stated that Mr Watkins, of the Normal Sohool, was Btill unable to return to his duties, and further leave of absence was granted to him. An application from three teaohers who had attended seven, eight, and nine College lectures, respectively, out of a oourse of thirteen, for a refund of fees paid, was refused, tho Board considering that not sufficient leotures had been attended to justify the refund applied for. Mr Buckley was appointed master of the Kowai Bush Sohool, contingent upon bis presenting himself for examination at the earliest opportunity. A petition waß read from thirteen householders of Beafield, praying that Mr Diokenson might be retained as master, as he had been unable to present himself at the last examination, as required by the Board, owing to a severe acoident. The Commissioner of the distriot was opposed to the master's retention, and the Inspector's reports on this sohool were scarcely favourable. A letter from Mr Diokenson was read, but not reoeived, as it had not oome through the proper channel. It was deoided to refer this letter to the Commissioner to report upon the statements contained therein. An expenditure for fenoing and draining St Albans school was authorised. The following tenders wore accepted:— Lyttelton reclaiming wall, Dicks and Cottier, £214 10s ; West Ohristohuroh sohool building, Moore and M'Bae, £1950 18s lOd (subject to an alteratiou in the plans) ; levelling and draining St Albans Bchool ground, W. Prudhoe, £40 j gymnastic apparatus, Gregg and M'Coll. The Drill Instructor asked to be authorised to order repairs to gymnastic apparatus to an amount not exceeding £3 in any case. It was deoided that the drill instructor should report the necessity for suoh repairs to the various Sohool Oommittees, In consequenoe of the over-orowded state of Sydenham sohool, the Committee were authorised to hire the Oddfellows' Hall, Colombo road, for sohool purposes. The Inspector reported that Borne damage had been done to the New Brighton school in conssquenoe of dancing being permitted in the building. It was decided to call the Committee's attontion to the matter. The question of repairs to the New Brighton school was deferred for further consideration. It was agreed that the Board would erect a fence in front of Fendaltown school, conditionally on the Committee clearing away the present gorse fence. The Ohairman read a letter from the Bduoation Department, calling attention to the faot that some of the Native school teaohers were not careful of sohool property, allowing the same to become dilapidated through bad usage. The Ohairman stated he would prepare a oiroular on the subject. After disoussing some proposed improvements at Biohmond sohool, and other matters, the Board adjourned.