BOARD OF EDUCATION.

West Coast Times, Issue 2741, 14 January 1878, Page 2

BOARD OF EDUCATION.

Thubsdat, January 10. The Boani mci at tile Education Office at 8 p.m. Prelerit — THe 1 Chairman, Messrs'" Revell^ Mueller,- Greenwood, Paterson, and Todd.

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed., , The outward and inward correspondence was read and dealt with in the following manner. A letter was read from James M'Hale, contractor, for clearing one acre of school reserve at Kuniara, requesting the Board to make him some allowance, owing to the ground having frequently been flooded by the Okuku Water Race. The Secretary was directed to refer Mr M'Hale to the Okuku Water Race Company. A letter was read from Ebbert Paul, requesting that Mr James Webster may be allowed to collect the balance of rate for 1877-78, due in the Kanieri district, he (Mr Paul) having been appointed manager of the Okuku Water Race. Request granted. ' A circular was read from the Under Secretary, Education 1 Department, Wellington^ requesting the Board fco fix the 28th day of January; as the day upon whfeb the local committeee, for the Various school districts,, shall be elected ; and stating that thelGovernor, irt Coflflcili will be ad.Vis'efl to defer the election of Education Boards liritii April. Received. - A circular was read from* the Under Secretary, Education Department, Wellington, dfawra'g the attention of the Board to certain clauses in the 1 |' Education' Act, 1877," and enclosing Circulars and forms to be filled up by the Ideal committees a'tid itik head teacher of each 1 school. , , , Res'blve-l; ." That Monday, the 28th of January, 1878, be the day appointed for the, election of local committees." A letter \vaj reau fiorn R. G. Fountain, Under-Secretary Education Department, stating that the Governor had been plea-ed tc appoint Messrs F. A; Learrn'onth 1 and W. Todd to be members of the Board of Education, vice Messrs' F. ;C. Tabart and J. Gibson, resigned. Received: A letter was received from the Chairman of the Bruce Say Local Committee; stating that tenders had been called for removal of school-house at Gillespie'e, and that £1 6 12s 6d was the lowest tender, and therefore had been accepted.

Resolved, "That the sum of £16 12s 6d be forwarded to firuce Bay, for the purpose of paying the contractor for removal of school building." A letter was read from the hon. secretary Kanieri Local Committee, enclosing accounts and vouchers of expenditure of last contingency vote, and asking for a further grant of £40. Resolved, " That the sum of £20 be granted to the Kanisri Local Committee, on the production of an audited statement." A letter was read from the Chairman Okarito Local Committee, stating that Mrs Lawrence would only sign the voucher for amount forwarded for cleaning Gillespie's School, as payment on account. Resolved, " That the voucher be returned to the chairman, with a request that be will either return the cheque forwarded for Mrs Lawrence, or a receipted voucher for payment in full," A letter was read from W. Roe, secretary of the Greymouth Foundry, stating that two bells would b£ sent for approval of the Board. Received. A letter was read from N. Hale, Chairman of the Brunnerton Local Committee, stating that Mr Hodgson, the Inspector of Schools for the Nelson district, had informed him that the schools is that portion of the Nelson district, which had been added to the Westland district, would be under the charge of the Westland Board after December 31, 1877. The secretary was directed to refer Mr Hale to the 19th section of " The Education Act, 1877," which provides that where the boundaries of a district have been i altered, the portion affected remains under the Board of the district to which it originally belonged, until the election of the new Boards under the Act. A tetter was read from A. G. Bowen, Inspector of Works, Kumara, stating that Mr M'Hale bad finished his contract for cutting firewood, and was entitled to payment. Amount passed for payment. A letter was read from James Ryan, overseer, stating that the contractors were proceeding very slowly with the building of the Woodstock School-house. Referred to the Building Committee to take the necessary steps to ensure the speedy completion of the work. A letter was read from the overseer, stating that the teacher's house at Woodstock was not yet completed. Referred to the Building Committee. With reference to the architect's claim for per cenrage upon additions to the Hokitika and Greyraouth School-houses, the secretary was directed to ask for particulars. A letter was read from the overseer, stating that the building of the gymnasium was not being proceeded with. The secretary was directed to write to the architect, requesting him to take the necessary steps for taking the building out of the contractors' hands. A letter was read from the Chairman of the Bruce Bay Committee, stating that the situation of teacher at Gillespie's School having becrae vacant by the resignation of, Mr Todd, the committee had appointed Mr Murphy, and request the approval of the Board. The secretary was requested to ascertain whether Mr Todd had withdrawn his resignation. A letter was 1 read from the Chairman of ' the Hokitika Local Committee, stating that the committee had appointed Miss Patrick to the infant department of the Hokitika School, and Miss Batteu to take Mi s 10. B. Galland's place in that school. Resolved, " That the appointment of female teachers to the Hokitika School be confirmed, viz., Miss Patrick to the infant school, and Miss A. Batten in place of Miss Gallantl." A letter was read from the hon. secretary Kanieri Local School Committee, stating that the committee had appointed Mr N. H. Harris, of Wellington, to be teacher at the Arahura Road School, subject to approval by the Board. Also enclosing a petition from some inhabitants of the Blue Spur district, asking that a female pupil teacher may be appointed to the Blue Spur School, in place of the present male pupil teacher, aud recommending the request to the favorable consideration of the Board. Resolved, «* That the appointment of Mr Harris, as teacher at the Arahura Road School, be confirmed." Resolved, "That the Secretary be requested to write in reply to the petition forwarded by the Kanieri Local Committee, suggesting a method of meeting the difficulty as to teaching sewing. &c, with- | out dismissing the male pupil teacher. " A letter waß read from the hon. secre-

tary Kanieri, L'ocftl Cbtnttiitiee; stating that the committee recbramend the appointment of Miss Sarah Wafti as 1 pupil teacher at tHe vy"b'6astb'ck school, subject to the apprbyal of tHe 1 Board. "THat Miss 1 Sarah Ward be tdppofJLri.l^ appointed p'h'gil teacher at the Wbodsfcflck School, at a 1 salary of £15 per annum." A. lett&f wa.s read from the Chairman of the Greymouth Local Committee, stating that Mr N. B. Douglas had notified his intention of resigning his appointment at the Greymouth State School, and that the committee had accepted the resignation, his appointment to terminate on the Ist of March, 1878. Resolved, " That the resignation of Mr N. B. Douglas, as tencher in the Greymouth Sfcate School, as notified by the Local Committee in their memo, of this day's date, be accepted." A memo, was read from the Chairman of the above committee recommending the Board to appoint Mr Robert L, Clements of the State School at Sale, Gippsland, as assistant teacher in the Greymouth State School, at the same salary and with the same allowances as are now paid to Mr R, Goulding. Resolved, " That Mr R. L. Clements, of the State School at Sale, Gippsland, be appointed as a teacher in the Greymouth State School, at the same salary and with the same allowances as are now paid to Mr R. Goulding; such appointment to date from the Ist day ot February, 1878."

A letter was read from Mr W. Banks, Chairman of the Ahaura Local Committee, asking for information. Received. Resolved, " That the necessary arrangements be made for instruction in military drill and physical training, in , aH schools where practicable, in accordance with clause 85 of the 'Education Act, 1877.' " A letter was read from the hon. secretary of the Kanieri Local Committee, drawing the attention of the Board" to the extremely dilapidated condition 6'f the building at the Kanieri, at present used as a school house.

Resolved, "That tenders be called for building a school-house at the Kaineri, capable of holding one htiridrea children." Resolved; " That all orders' for sn#fs, advertising, pf m'tidg, &c; be issued by the Secretary,' o'ri the approval of ftie Chairman,' arid that a suitable order 666k be provided for that purpose. A letter was read from the h'o'ri. secretary, Totara Local Committee, enclosing a letter from Mrs Kenny, teacher of .the Ross school, requesting that her salary may be increased. The committee recommended the request to the favorable consideration of the Board.

Resolved, " That, subject to the production of certificates referred to in Mrs Kenny's letter, salary at the fate fixed for teachers of the 2nd division of the 2nd class be paid to her. The alteration to take effect from Ist January.", Resolvedj " That a committee consisting of the chairman, Messrs Mueller, Greenwood, and the inspector, be appointed a committee !,to draw up a set of by laws for the guidance of the Board under the new Act." Tha Board adjourned at 12.45 a.m. until the following day, Friday, at 9 a.m. Friday, January 11, 1878. The Board met at the Education Office at 9.30 a.m. Present — The Chairman, Messrs RevelJ, and Greenwood. Resolved, " That until a new seal ii procured, the seal at present in use shall be the seal of the Board, under, "The Education Act; 1877." Resolved, " That the Treasurer, Mr JU, T. Robinson, and the Chairman of the, Board, be authorised to sign cheques on the Education Board account, in accordance with Clause 41 of " The Education Act, 1 877." Resolved, " That the time and place for the election of the School Committees, on the 28th of January. 1878, shall be as follows :— Arawata school-house, 3 o'clock ; Gillespie's do, 7.30 ; Okarito do, 7.30 ; Ross do, 7.30 ; Kanieri do, 7.30 ; Goldsborough do, 7.30 ; Marsden do, 3 ; Greymouth do, 7.30; Hokitika do, 7.30. Resolved, '' That the School Committees to be elected on January 28th, 1878, shall hold their first meetings between the hours of noon and 8 p.m. on Saturday, February 2ad, at the usual place of meeting in each district." Resolved, " That the following expends ture for repairs, improvements, &c, be : authorised : — - Greyraouth school. — Ironwork and labor for repairs and alterations to Greymouth school bell, £1 19 ; repairing blackboards and fitting up shelves, £1 ; grass seed for school paddock, £2 16s ; total, £5 15s. Wallsend school. — Putting in glass, making hat pegs and making forms (labor), £3 4a ; timber for above, £3 Is 7d ; total, £6 5s 7d. Advertisements. — Applications foi teacher, Wallsend, Otago Daily Times, £1 2s 6d ; Kerr, Arnott, and Co., £l Is ; total, £2 3s 6d. Tenders for clearing school paddock; Petrie, £1 ; printing memorandum books, Kerr, Arnott, and Co,, £l ss ; total, £2 ss. Grand total, £16 9a Id. Eesolved' "That with regard to Rule 30 of regulations, as amended on January 11, 1878, the Inspector be instructed to recommend at the next meeting, a plan for allowing a certain proportion of the result money for those children retained in the same class, who shall pass a thoroughly satisfactory examination at the succeeding annual examination." Resolved, "That the names of Messrs Revell and Greenwood be added to the Building Committee." Resolved, " That in the regulations for the examination of .schools, Clause 3 be struck out, and the following substituted. Although as a general rule children passing in a standard will be expected to be presented in a higher standard in the followi ing year, it shall be allowable for any head teacher to retain such children as he may think fit, in the same class for another year, provided that the teacher forward to the Inspector, a list of all children proposed to be retained for his approval." Resolved, "That the Building Committee be authorised to enquire as to the best method of procuring houses for the caretakers for the school buildings at Hokitika and Greymouth, and have power to make preliminary arrangements for obtaining such buildings." The Secretary read the reports of the Finance Committee and Building Committee, which were received and adopted. A letter was read from D. Hannan, Secretary of St Patrick's School Committe, Kuraara, asking the Board to grant a supply of books for payment. The Secretary was directed to ascertain what books were required. A letter was read from Messrs Young Bros., with reference to Kumara schoolhouse. The Secretary read letters of 15th November and 12th December, from the architects on the same subject. Resolved " That the penalty due by the contractor for the Kumara school-house, viz, £124, be reduced to £50.

The Secretary was directed to prepare a synopsis of the portion of the Act relating to the powers and duties of Local Committees for their guidance. The^ Secretary was directed to ascertain what is the amount of the debts and liabilities of, the Nelson Education Board, for that portion of the Nelson Educational District to be added to the Westland District, f , The Secretary ,was directed to draw the attention of the Hokitika Local Committee to clause 85 of the Act. KUMARA BUSINESS. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The ouiuard correspondence was read. The agmt read the report of his visit to Kumara. , The agent was authorised , to appeal against tlie assessment of the Board's property, made by the Corporation. The meeting terminated at 1.30 p.m.