46

TARANAKI GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.

Superintendent’s Office,
New Plymouth, June 11, 1872.

THE following Report from the Secretary and Treasurer of the Public Reserves Trust and Board of Education, is published for general information.

FRED. A. CARRINGTON,
Superintendent.

Report of the Secretary to the Board of Education.

I have the honor to report for the information of the Provincial Government, that the business transacted by me as Secretary to the Board of Education, has been in accordance with the 5th clause of the "Public Reserves Trust Ordinance, 1861," and consists in issuing notices for meetings of the Board, attending all meetings of the Board, recording the minutes, and conducting the correspondence.

Since the passing of the "Education Ordinance, 1868," which provides (clause 2) "That the Secretary for the time being of the said Board of Trustees of Public Reserves shall be Secretary and Treasurer of the said Board of Education," I have had also the duties of Treasurer; these duties consist in receiving and explaining the quarterly returns of the various teachers, and paying their salaries, in receiving applications for renting Reserves, and receiving the rents of Reserves that are let.

I append to this Report a copy of a Memorandum prepared for the Hon. the Colonial Secretary, which shows the existing system of school management under the Board of Education.

WM. NORTHCROFT, Secretary.

New Plymouth, June 11, 1872.

Copy of Memorandum referring to the inquiry of the Hon. the Colonial Secretary by telegram 31st May, 1871.

TELEGRAM.—"Will your Honor favour Government by sending copy last report of Inspector of Schools on state of schools in your Province to which public aid is given, also statement of Education Reserves with annual income now received therefrom."

Memorandum.

1. There is no Inspector of Schools for the Province; one was appointed in 1867, and his report was published in the Government Gazette, No. 18, vol. 15, 24th December, 1867. Copy of Gazette enclosed. The office was not continued.

2. An Education Ordinance was passed in 1868, by which the Board of Trustees of Public Reserves were constituted a Board of Education. See clause 2, Education Ordinance, 1868.

3. At a meeting of the Trustees of Public Reserves, held on 6th August, 1868, the Chairman introduced the Education Ordinance, and called the attention of the Board to its provisions. The Board passed the following resolution :—"That in the present unsettled state of the Province, it is not desirable to do more than to continue the existing system."

4. The existing system being founded on resolutions of Council passed 24th April, 1866, published in the Government Gazette No. 9, vol. 14, May 16, 1866. Gazette enclosed.

5. Under this system there are eight schools in the town, and eight in the country, receiving on an average quarterly about Seventy Pounds (£70).

6. At a meeting of the Board of Trustees, held on April 2nd, 1869, it was resolved—"That any school should receive aid from the Board, provided that the parents of the children were entitled to receive aid, and wished to send their children to any particular school."

7. At a meeting of the Board of Trustees, held on September 2, 1870, it was resolved—"That the Board divide itself into Visiting Committees, to visit the Schools periodically, to ascertain their state and progress. The members to visit by arrangement amongst themselves, at such times as they think fit." Messrs. Catfield and Upjohn to go together; Messrs. Crompton and Knight, Messrs. Hulke and Gledhill. And this, in connection with the resolutions of Council, may be considered the system at present established in Taranaki :—

INCOME.

Rent from Reserves........... £80 0 0
Vote of Provincial Council... 250 0 0

£330 0 0

EXPENDITURE.

Grants to Schools............ £280 0 0
Salary Secretary and Treasurer................ 25 0 0
Balance in hand.............. 25 0 0

£330 0 0

NOTE.—The income is derived chiefly from Town Sections, and more might be let if the exchanges were confirmed. The Hua Village Reserves are the only country Reserves producing any income.

WM. NORTHCROFT,
Secretary and Treasurer,
Board of Education.