The Waikato Times. THURSDAY, MAY 9, 1872.

Waikato Times, Volume I, Issue 4, 9 May 1872, Page 2

The Waikato Times. THURSDAY, MAY 9, 1872.

Tnrc (jlovernincnt have acted wisely in having' Kent to the Press copies of the Edueation Hill to be introduced daring- the coining' bohsuou. It dillors little from that which was allowed to dio of inanition during- the lust (session, on the plea that members had not had time to consider such an all important matter. Any member who, under existing circumstances, goes down to the House unprepared to deal with the question is no longer entitled to the confidence of his constituents. To only two causes can we attribute his want of preparation —either indifference to the a flairs of the colony, or mental incapacity to deal with a question vitally effecting its interests. It is to be hoped that constituencies will know how, and not hesitate, to deal with such men as they deserve. The fault will Im entirely tliut of the people if they allow their members to remain ignorant as to their opinions on the question, if they display (heir usual apathy with regard to mat ters a fleeting the future of the colony, they must not cotnpla : n afterwaids if a Bill become law of which they do not approve. "We are not yet in receipt of a copy of the Bill, and as it is of the utmost importance that the people should understand its provisions at as early a date as possible, we consider that no apology is necessary for publishing the digest made by a contemporary : — " Clause 2 provides for the repeal of all Provincial Education Acts, and the next clause provides for the appointment of a responsible Minister of Education, not necessarily involving an addition to the cabinet; and clause four defines his functions, which extends to the administration of. native schools. Part two of the Bill, iu some 17 clauses, relates to the appointment of the several Provincial Education Boards, defines their powers and provides that existing Boards shall take up tho working of the new Act, but where no Provincial Boards exist the first Board is to be composed of the Superintendent and Provincial Treasurer, and six other members nominated by the former and approved by the Provincial Executive. These shall serve but one year, and before December, 187JS, a Board is to be appointed, consisting of the Superintendent and Treasurer, and not less than six, nor.-, more than twelve persons elected by school committees, the Minister of Education to determine the number to be elected and the manner in which the right of election shall be exercised by the School Committees. The duties of each Provincial Board are to consist in exercising supervision over all schools already established under repealed ordinances, and those to be established under the Act, to promote the establishment of school districts within such province, and to define new and divide old districts, as the requirements of education may make necessary ; to appoint teachers, but such teachers as have already been appointed to schools under repealed Acts are to continue in office. Part three of the Bill refers to school districts. school committees and their duties, and the appointment of assistant and pupil teachers. The School committees are to consist of eight householders of a district, whether male or female. Upon the.petition of any five householders of a district, or on the report of a Government- inspector ot Schools, the Board of Education may call a meeting of the householders of both sexes

1 of such-district who shall then and there elect j a school committee aud suggest the area ot the proposed new' district. School districts, i however, may be constituted ■ memorial being made ; and the inhabitants of a district declining or neglecting to elejcfca school committee can be forced, under .the "Act, by the appointment by the Board of commissioner or commissioners, to carry out the work for them and at their expense. Passing to part 5, we find that the school committees are to. fix such fees as they may : think expedient, and are empowered to remit ; the same in cases where the poverty of the j parents renders them unable to pay. To the I Provincial Board, however, is given the very | important power;, it deemed advisable, of j opening all elementary schools free of any ' fee whatever, in which case power is given I to levy a rate by general capitation fee of 55., j on all children in the province between the ; ages of five and fourteen years, provided that ! no parent or guardian shall be liable for more than four children, nor in such cases as the children reside more than three miles j from a school'established' under the Act, nor j where a child has attended any school not so ! established for three months, immediately | before the day fixed for the payment of such | capitation fee. In the other case where fees | are charged, any further course of reduction than that which can be afforded by the ' Boards 3 from grants of the local legislature. I rents of educational reserves, and any other I monies received other than by rate, is to be 1 made up by levying a yearly uniform rate on every householder in the province, not exceeding twenty shillings. Part G refers to the application of funds by ! the Board, and the aid to be given to public schools. The clauses in part 6 which will give rise to more than ordinary discussion, are those which dircct that aid shall be given to schools in districts, not wi thin, and to. those within school districts: that is, to existing denominational schools. In both cases, however, such schools must become " public schools within the meaning of the Actand in the case of schools within school districts, these must be under the management of not less than five school managers to be approved by the Board." We shall in a series of articles consider the Bill in its various aspects. Want of space, however, compels us to reserve for a future issue any remarks we may think it necessary to make. !