BOARD OF EDUCATION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6847, 8 May 1890, Page 3

BOARD OF EDUCATION.

» North Canterbury.; An ordinary meeting of the North Canterbury Board of Education was held this afternoon, at two o'clock ; present — Mr H. W. Peryman (Chairman), Messrs A. Saunders, J. Euddenklau, P. Weßtenra, T. S. Weston, T. H. Anson, J. Joyce, and Meredith. An apology was made for the absence of Mr Wright. MTJBINEBB APPROVED. The business done by the Chairman since last meeting was approved. NORMAL SCHOOL COMMITTEE. The Chairman stated that _Mr A. Saunders had been elected Chairman of the Normal School Committee. REPORT OP THE BUILDINGS COMMITTEE. The Buildings Committee reported :— That the Christchurch East School Committee again wrote respecting the fences at Phillipatown and the skylights at the main school, and also applied for new blinds at Phillipstown. The matters were deferred till the next meeting. Mr Peryman undertook to visit the Phillipstown school with the Clerk o£ Works, and see what was really required. — A letter was received from the New Brighton School Committee applying for an addition to their schoolI room, complaining of a smoky chimney, i aniaskingwhentheschoolroomatthe Beach I wouldbe built. It was resolved to defer the

; question oF furthei" accommodation till tinspring. The Clerk of Works was director to see to the chimney. Mr Perynian stated I that he waa about to visit the Beach site, with the Clerk of Works to decide abou: levelling, &c. An application for printing at Lismore was deferred till the 3pring. The Sydenham School Committee forwarded a resolution, passed at the annual meeting of householders, expressing their dissatisfaction at the delay in providing further accommodation. Ib was resolveo to reply that the Board has reported the case to Government, but is still without any answer to its applications for the remainder of ita share of the vote for school buildings, in default of which it cannot proceed with the work. The Clerk of Works was directed to prepare specific cations for a well at South Malvern school. Ashburton — On the application of the School Committee, the Clerk of Works was directed to report on the state of the roofs. A letter was received from the Ferry roao School Committee applying for ropairsam for a new bell, also offering to sell two gas stoves. The bell was allowed. It wa.resolved to do the repairs, and to take tin stoves aa parb of the cost. — An application from the Fendalton School Committee foi an additional room was referred to thi Inspectors for their report. — An application from the Belfast School Committee for a swimming-bath was declined ; but it wju agreed to allow the Clerk of Workt to assist the Committee by reporting on the matter, on the understanding tha the Board incurred no responsibility. A letter was received from the solicitors respecting the proposed lease of Reserve 777 at Ashburton. It was resolved to apply to the Department, and to .request the Minister to advise His Excellency the Governor to take the necessary action. It was resolved to advertise for tenders for school furniture. A letter wbb received from the infant mistress, Normal School, suggesting several alterations and improvements in theinfant3 J achool,respeoting which the Clerk of Works was directed to report. Mr Peryman stated that he had agreed to meet the Kaiapoi School Committee for the purpose of considering a proposal to sink a deep well. Small sums for repairs, &c, were allowed to Courtenay, Kyle, German Bay, Elgin, Kimberley, Governor's Bay and Brookside. The report was adopted. APPOINTMENTS. The Appointments Committee reported that the following appointments had been made : — Ladbrook'e, Maggie Callaghan, pupil teacher; Richmond, Emily Howard, pupil teacher; Belfast (side school), MrG. Pilkington ; Kaiapoi, Mr W. C. Garrard. second master. The appointment of a master at Hinds was deferred. The resignation of the master at Longbeach at three months' notice was received and accepted. Inspection reports were received from Mr Wood on Richmond, St Albans main and side, Papanui, Opawa, Ferry road, Mandoville Plains, Waikuku, and from Dr Anderßon on Chriatchurch West main and side, Killinchy, Irwcll, Leeston main and Bide, Soutlibrldge, Ifoknia Little, and Sedgemere. Mr Weeton called attention to the high encomiums passed by the Inspector on the Papanui school, and Mr Meredith called attention to the excellent report on the Richmond school. SYDENHAM. A letter was read from the Sydenhavn School Committee, stating that the Oddfellows' Ball, Colombo road, could still be obtained for school purposes. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr Weston — "That the hall be rented for another six months, with the option of renewing the lease for three or six months at the close of the term." FAILING TO ELECT COMMITTEES. The Chairman stated that householders at Irwell, Winslow, Hurunui, Aehburton Forks, Lyndhurst and Heathcote Valley had failed to elect Committees. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr Meredith, that May 2G should be the day for the election of School Committees in those cases where the householders had failed to elect. OBJECTIONS TO ELECTIOttS. The Chairman said that a number of objections had been received from householders with reference to School Committee elections. The Secretary had taken le^al advice, and had prepared a report dealing with the objections. Mr Veel read the report, which stated that objections had been received from Leeston, Marshlands, Hinds, Russell's Flat, Kimberley, Christchurch West, Ruapuna, and Flaxton. It was resolved on the motion of Mr Weston, that the election at Hinds be declared invalid, and another election be held on May 26. The elections at Leeston and Marshlands were declared valid. GOVERNMENT GRANT. A telegram wa3 read from the Government asking what amount over und above the estimate already sent in as a reply to the January circular would suffice to complete the supply of schools and residences. Referred to the Building 3 Committee with power to act. The Drainage Board wrote agaiu asking the Education Board to consider what amount they would pay for the removal of the sewage from public schools. Mr Saunders proposed — " That in the distribution of public funds, this Board cannot act otherwise than as directed by law." Mr Weston seconded the motion, which, was carried. SCHOLARSHIPS. The Chairman daid that the results of examinations for scholarships would be known on Saturday next, and he was empowered to notify the results. •\VINCHMOEE. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr Joyce, seconded by Mr Meredith — " That Winchmore be formed into a separate school district." EXAMINATION QUESTIONS. Mr Meredith, referring to the Inspectors' reports, said he found that there was no unanimity of ideas amongst the Inspectors as to the standard regulations, consequently the schoolmasters were placed in a dilemma. He thought there should be only one set of standard questions prepared in Wellington, and sent to all the Inspectors throughout the Colony. He had heard frequent complaints of the Inspectors' questions being above the standards. He gave notice of the following motion — " That this Board recommends to i the Minister for Education that forasmuch. A3 there is one system of Education in the Colony, there should be one uniform system of examination, and that, to this effect, the *standaid text cards' now prepared by the different Inspectors be prepared by the Central Education Department, sent under seal to the different Boards, and by them handed to tfce Inspectors. This would secure more uniformity of examination, would be more satisfactory to the teaching profession, and less liable to produce friction between the Inspectors and teachers in the employ of the different Boards." THE SYLLABUB. Mr Meredith called attention to certain alterations, recommended by the Inspectors, in the syllabus, with many of which he dipagreed. The Chairman said the Government had requested the Board to mike recommendations on the subject. Mr Anson moved — "That a special Committee be appointed to consider the question of the syllabus, and report to the Government, such Committee to consist of Messrs Saunders, Meredith, Weston, and the mover." 1 The motion was agreed to. BEADING BOOKS. Mr Joyce gave notice of the following motions : — " (1) That from and after Jan, ■ 1, 1891, there shall be a uniformity o( • reading books and text books in the Public t Schools of the North Canterbury districts, : in order to lessen the cost which parents L are put .to in purchasing new books when ■ removing their children from one schoo] i district to another school district, and tc i show the Board, by Inspectors' examinationi I from one set of text books and reading books i the relative progress of different schools - (2) That the Secretary and Inspectors b( , requested to name in a report to be fur i nished at the next meeting of this Boar< c such reading books and text books whtel

vill be most suitable for the use of the JCl:O0ls." r l he Board then went into Committee, and, on resuming, adjourned.