Inspection of Catholic Schools.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXX, Issue 37, 11 September 1902, Page 29

Inspection of Catholic Schools.

As briefly reported in our last issue the Nelson Education Board at its last meeting' refused an application made by the Rev. Father Hickßon that its inspectors be allowed to examine the Catholic Schools at Reefton. The following- report of the discussion which took place is from the Colontit . — Messrs Phillips and Bailie moved that the Inspectors be authorised to examine these •chools if they had the time. _ Mr Franklyn protested saying that the time of the Inspectors was fully tak>n up, and he objected to their examination of any but free, secular, public schools. He paw in this the thin edge of the wedge to break down the present national pyatem of education. Mr Phillips said that there was reason in what Mr Franklyn had said, but his standpoint was that the Board was the ou o todian of education in the district, and it was his duty to find out what kind of eduoation was being given in all the schools, and if there was no other way of finding out he would ascertain by sending the Inspector to these private sohools. So far as he was concerned he would find out if possible. The Chairman, Mr Talbot, said that he mußt support the objector. When the permission now sought was first given he ■trongly opposed for the grounds Mr franklyn had mentioned. He was utterly • opposad to denominational schools and saw in this practice faome danger to the national system. He was a hupporter of the Bible in school, but a strenuous opponentof denominaUonalifcm.

Mr Beuke said that he had no objection to permission being given if the inspectors had the time, but he objected to the term authorised, and would vote a/ainst the motion if adhered to in that form. Mr Franklyn said that the whole reason for this and similar applications was to obtain the inepectors' certificates, which were necessary for obtaining positions in the public service. fie strongly opposed these concessions to those outei ie the State school, and instanced that when the Board's attention had been drawn to the fact that pupils of the Catholic schools were travelling free on the railway, the protest had resulted in the same privilege being granted scholarships and other pupiU coming to town. Mr Beuke pointed out that the*e sohools were relieving to some extent the Government of expenditure. Mr Bailie said that he agreed with the contention of Mr Phillips that the Board had charge of the whole of the children in its district. He believed these schools were doing fairly good work, and there could be no doubt that they were in a great measure relieving the Government. Mr Franklyn : To suit themselves. The Chairman explained that his attitude would be the same if any denomination made the request then under consideration. It was not a question of Roman Catholic or any particular denomination, but of all. Mr Lock, who arrived at this stage, said that he would oppose the motion, as to his mind the Board should confine itself to the State schools solely. The motion was lost on the casting-vote of the chairman. Ayes — Messrs Bailie, Phillips, Best, and Baigtnt. Noes — Messrs Beuke, Lock, Franklyu. and the chairman (Mr Talbor).