SOUTHLAND EDUCATION BOARD.

Western Star, Issue 2219, 5 July 1898, Page 2

SOUTHLAND EDUCATION BOARD.

The ordinary meeting on Friday was attended by the chairman (Mr A. Baldey), and Messrs J. W. Bain, D. L. Matheson, T. Mao Gibbon, G. R. George, G. MoLeod, and A. Cowie.

Mr W. A. Rowe has been appointed head master of tbe Otantan school. Miss G. Anderson, pupil teacher, Waimatnkn school. The Executive Committee is to meet on the thin) Friday in each month. The matter of a gymnasium, was brought on by motion of Mr Macaliater, and after consideration referred to the Executive, Mr Bain and the Chairman to procure information while in Dunedin.

Mr George gave notice of motion that the question of classification of schools be remitted to a committee with instructions to prepare a scheme and report. A deputation of Waianiwa householders consisting of Messrs, Weir, Boyd, McLean and Wilson waited on the Board with the request that the Argyle School bo removed from its present site to one in the township for the following reasons (1) That the Argyle School is not in the centre of tbe Waianiwa school district. It is situated in the sontb, necessitating children from the north to travel from two to four miles, whereas those in the south have at the most miles to travel. (2) The majority of the children in the district live in Upper Waianiwa. (3) Tbe Otakau school is quite sufficient for the requirements of the district souvh of the Argyle school. (4) Tbe WaianI iwa township is the real centre of the district, being half-way between Oiakau and Spar Bush schools—about Jfour miles from each. (5) With a school in the district no child residing in the district would have more than two miles to travel to school. (6) The ratio of feeling in favor of removing the Argyle school to the township may bo put down at 40 householders to 20, while some of the opposers live within two miles of the township. They considered that this was an opportune time for removal as tbo Otakau school had undermined the Argyle sohooland practically made it annecessary. There was now no urgent reason why the Argyle school should exist, and they thougat tbe Board would be justified in having it removed to the Education reserve in the township. If

this were done the number of children attending would bo between 70 and 80. They hoped the Board would give the matter their favorable consideration.—On the motion of Mr Mac Gibbon, seconded by Mr Crwie, it was decided that the application be referred to the Executive Committee and the architect be instructed to report on the state of the bailding and the cost of removal if practicable.

The Secretary of the Southland brmch of the Teachers’ Institute forwarded a copy of the following resolution, which was adopted at the recent Conference: —“ That the Institute urge upon the Board that the multiplicity of small schools in several localities of this district is an objectionable policy, for the following reasons: —(L) It operates against efficiency of the teaching that can be obtained; (2) Since proximity of schools occasions much shifting on the part of pupils from school to school, which is, in itself, a deteriorating factor; and (3) it very frequently proves unjust to teachers who suffer loss of salary and status, owing to a decrease in attendance for which they are nowise responsible.— Received.

The following are the names of the successful local candidates at the recent pupil teachers examination Class ll.—Bertha Stevenson, Riverton ; J. Agnes Rogers, Park School; Grace McArthur, Drummond. Class lll—Conrad Fortune, Orepnki; J. Cosgriffc, Nightcaps. The following candidates, not in the Board’s service, also passed Class 111 —Jessie Carmichael, Dummies Bosh.