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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]

Education Board

Education Board.

The Education Board of the district of Wellington has control of but little more than half the schools in the Provincial District, the remaining schools, with about twenty of those in the Taranaki Provincial District, being under the control of the Wanganui Board. The whole of the eastern portion of the provincial district and that of the western portion south of Shannon, are under the jurisdiction of the Wellington Board. This peculiar division of the district appears to place Wellington at a greater disadvantage than it really is when compared with other parts of the Colony, such as Auckland, for instance, where the educational district is co-extensive with that of the province. At the end of 1894 there were ninety-eight schools under the Wellington Board, with a total roll of 12,572, and a total average attendance of 10,225, the latter figures being made up of 5317 for the boys, and 4908 for the girls. These scholars engaged the attention of 327 teachers, of whom nine are described as sewing mistresses, 146 as pupil teachers, and fifty-two as “other teachers receiving less than £100 per annum.” The salaries amounted to a little over £32,000, being rather less than an average of £100 for each teacher. Six new schools were opened in 1894, and two old ones were closed. Eighteen of the schools had rolls of less than twenty-five scholars each, four of them having less than fifteen pupils. The lowest average attendance was eight, the cost to the Board being upwards of £13 per scholar. The highest average attendance (Mr. Hulke's school at Newtown) was 820, the expenditure being equal to rather less than £3 10s. 6d., including a special charge for alterations and additions to school buildings, representing nearly £1 5s. per scholar. Of the 12,572 children on the books, 970 were between five and six years of age, 1318 between six and seven years, 1566 between seven and eight years, 1483 between eight and nine years, 1442 between nine and ten years, 1544 between ten and eleven years, 1392 between eleven and twelve years, 1206 between twelve and thirteen years, 950 between thirteen and fourteen years, 532 between fourteen and fifteen years, and 169 over fifteen years. Eighty Maori children and about an equal number of half-castes were distributed among twenty-four schools. One teacher held A certificate; five, B; sixteen, C; sixty-one, D; and seventy-four, E. About half of the pupil teachers hold some qualifications beyond the “standard pass,” and quite a number of them had matriculated and gained fairly high certificates. There are about sixty teachers under the Board who are described as “Ex-Pupil Teachers.” There are pupil-teachers who have completed their five years' term, and are retained by the Board in the schools where they have been trained and paid a salary in advance of the fifth-year pupil teacher, but less than that of junior assistant. Scholarships were awarded in 1894 to ten boys and ten girls out of a total of 155 candidates. At the ordinary “standards” examinations, about half the scholars passed. The Technical School, which is affiliated to the Board, is described in a separate article, and may therefore be only named here. The Education Board of the District of Wellington commands the highest respect in all quarters. It is presided over by a chairman whose conduct merits unqualified approval. Mr. J. R. Blair performs his many duties as a high-class citizen in a manner which very nearly attains to the standard demanded by such civic reformers as the world-famed Mr. W. T. Stead. The other members of the Board are:—The Rev. J. Paterson, Dr. Newman, M.H.R., Messrs. F. H. Fraser, W. A. Fitzherbert, W. W. McCardle, W. C. Buchanan, M.H.R., J. Young, and F. Brady. The personnel of the Board of Governors of the Wellington College and Girls' High School is the same. The inspectors have the utmost confidence alike of parents, teachers, and taught; and of the efficient and courteous secretary it would be impossible to speak with even bare justice in any way which would not be deemed flattering by those who have had the opportunity of judging. The writer of this article has for many years past had an intimate acquaintance with every member of the Board's staff, and special opportunities of judging the faithfulness of their service. Without fear of contradiction, therefore, he congratulates the Board in its selection of officers.

Mr. John Rutherford Blair, Chairman of the Education Board and of the Board of Governors of the Wellington College, came to New Zealand in 1869. Soon after arrival he went to Australia, spending about twelve months in Melbourne, from whence he returned to New Zealand and took up his abode in the Empire City, when, after winding up the Wellington branch of Messrs. Sands and McDougall, of Melbourne, he joined the late Mr. William Lyon in the business on Lambton Quay as booksellers and publishers, printers, account-bookmakers, bookbinders and page 371 Mr. John Rutherford Blair Stationers. After the retirement of Mr. Lyon, the business was still carried on under the title of Lyon and Blair. This name for the past quarter of a century has been well known throughout the length and breadth of the Colony. From the date of Mr. Lyon's death, the conduct of the establishment was entirely in Mr. Blair's hands until his retirement in 1894, when he disposed of his business to Messrs. Whitcombe and Tombs, Limited. Notwithstanding the heavy demands made upon Mr. Blair's time and attention by his extensive business, he has devoted a very great deal of time and hard work to the promotion of the interests of the various bodies to which he has from time to time been elected by an appreciative public. The long list of public offices which he has filled was begun in 1877, when he was elected a member of the Mount Cook School Committee. From this it was but a step to the membership of the Education Board in 1880; and in 1882 when the office of chairman of that body was vacated by the Hon. C. J. Pharazyn, Mr. Blair was unanimously elected to the position. It is a trait in Mr. Blair's character that he must go into the details of whatever work he has in hand, and from the time of his gaining a seat on the Education Board, its affairs have received as careful and prompt attention at his hands as did his own business; and this, too, without any desire of self-aggrandisement or self-benefit in any way. It may not he generally known that during all the years in which Mr. Blair has been connected with the Education Board, and while his firm has ranked as the foremost printing establishment in Wellington, not one penny's worth of the printing for the Board has been done by Messrs. Lyon and Blair; he has always stood aside in favour of his opponents in business. When it is remembered that while Mr. Blair has held office, the printing of the Board has amounted to something like £5000, the disinterestedness of the chairman stands out very prominently. The writer of this article speaks with fall knowledge on this point, for he has benefited to no small degree by the magnanimity displayed by Mr. Blair towards his fellow-craftsmen, and he is pleased to have this opportunity of placing on permanent record his appreciation of Mr. Blair's sacrifice of personal interest. In February, 1895, Mr. Blair expressed an earnest desire to be relieved of the chairmanship, but on its being pointed out to him that it was a public duty that he should continue to act in a capacity for which he is so eminently fitted, he consented to be re-elected. Probably no man in the Colony has received more general support throughout the educational district than has Mr. Blair; his election to the Board by the school committees having invariably been by the maximum number of votes, and it is no exaggeration to say that the services he has rendered are invaluable. As chairman of the Board of Governors of the Wellington College, Mr. Blair's educational duties are very considerably increased. He has held this position since 1886, the vacancy having been caused by the retirement from office of the late Hon. A. de B. Brandon. On the death of Mr. Holdsworth, 1884, the chairmanship of the School Commissioners was offered to and accepted by Mr. Blair. This position he still occupies. The triple educational position thus held by him is possibly unique in the records of the Colony. A large proportion of Mr. Blair's time is devoted to public companies, who benefit by his attention and business experience. He is chairman of the Wellington Building and Investment Society, a director of the New Zealand Shipping Company, and a local director of the Mutual Life Association of Australasia, besides occupying many minor positions. In business matters a good and well-merited share of success has fallen to Mr. Blair's lot, and in retiring from the busy circles of commerce, he takes with him the congratulations and good wishes of all.

Mr. Robert Lee, Chief Inspector of Schools under the Wellington Board of Education, was born at Grantham, Lincolnshire. His father was born at Hanby Hall, near Grantham, but the family met with adverse fortune. He was educated first at a small Mr. Robert Lee page 372
Education Board Offices.

Education Board Offices.

private school, and afterwards at the Grantham National School. At an early age Mr. Lee displayed considerable ability in his studies, and after serving four years as pupil-teacher, gained, when under the age of seventeen, a first-class Queen's scholarship which took him to St. Mark's College, Chelsea, London, for a period of two years. Here he pursued his studies with such diligence and success that he was allowed the rare privilege of a third year's tuition. At the close of his college career Mr. Lee was appointed by the principal (Derwent Coleridge, youngest son of the poet), resident master of the college and master-in-charge of the upper division practising school in connection with the institution. This position he occupied for two years, when he resigned in order to accept an appointment as headmaster of All Saints' School at Preston, Lancashire. Here he remained for five years, and was then appointed, while in England, to the head-mastership of the Bishop's School at Nelson, New Zealand. This appointment was conferred in Eton College by Bishop Chapman, the late Bishop of Colombo, who was at the time on a visit to England, and acting for Bishop Hobhouse, first Bishop of Nelson. Mr. Lee came to the Colony in the beginning of 1864, in the good ship “Memento,” direct to Nelson, where he resided, and conducted the above-named school for ten years. In 1874 he applied for the position which he at present fills, and was selected for it out of no fewer than twenty-eight candidates. Mr. Lee has never been out of school harness since his earliest days of boyhood. As a scholar, pupil-teacher, master, headmaster, and inspector, his experience covers half-a-century. He is still in full vigour of health, both physically and mentally, and is ever on the alert for opportunities of advancing the cause of education. It is no exaggeration to say that Mr. Lee loves his work. The standard system of education, now so popular throughout the Colony, was introduced by him in 1874, when he devised four standards, each of them embodying a course of study for two years. This system was adopted in the Wellington, Wanganui, Patea, and Marlborough educational districts of that period. About two years later a modification was made, and a system of six standards was brought into general use. Quite recently Mr. Lee has done very valuable service to the Colony as the editor of an exceedingly useful and much needed book, known as “Longman's Geographical Reader for New Zealand,” in the compilation of which he acknowledges important assistance rendered by Sir James Hector, Mr. Edward Tregear, and Mr. T. E. Fleming. Mr. Lee's scholastic status is described in a parliamentary return of the 5th August, 1892, as “Certificate, class 1, division 2, Privy Council of Education, England, with endorsement entitling to highest obtainable classification; drawing certificate (full in four subjects), and certificates in organic page 373 and inorganic chemistry from Department of Science and Art, South Kensington. He also holds St. Mark's College certificates, double first class.

Mr. Thomas Reid Fleming, M.A., LL.B. Inspector of Schools in the Wellington Education District, under Mr. Lee, the chief inspector, was born in Glasgow. He left Scotland per ship “E. P. Bouverie,” for New Zealand, arriving in Dunedin early in 1868. After a few months in the southern town, Mr. Fleming, senior, and his family removed to the West Coast, and settled in Westport. Here Mr. Fleming received his education, and at the public school carried off an Education Board scholarship, being top of the list of competitors. This scholarship took him to the Nelson College for two years, but by means of other scholarships gained while at the college, Mr. Fleming maintained himself there as a boarder for six years. Among others, he carried off the Richmond scholarship for general work, the Stafford scholarship for history, and the Simmonds prize for English. During his college term he passed both the junior and senior Civil Service examinations, this time being third on the list, and in 1878 he was one of three who won a junior university scholarship, competed for by candidates from all parts of the Colony, to the number of about thirty. The other two successful competitors were Mr. G. A. Harkness, M.A., inspector of schools, Nelson, and Mr. J. W. Salmond, M.A., LL.B., son of Dr. Salmond, of Dunedin. In November, 1881, Mr. Fleming gained his B.A., degree at the New Zealand University, passing the examination “with credit.” In the following month he was appointed assistant-master at the Wellington College, under Mr. J. Mackay, M.A., the then principal. In 1882 Mr. Fleming passed the University of London matriculation examination with first-class honours. In 1886 he severed his connection with the Wellington College to study for the law, and on his departure from the college was the recipient of a complimentary letter from the Governors of that institution, and a valuable testimonial from the principal. The duties of the assistant-mastership, and somewhat protracted ill-health during the winter months, had interfered to a great extent with his studies, and it was not until 1887 that Mr. Fleming gained his M.A. degree. During the sance year, however, he was successful in gaining his LL.B. degree, and a year later was admitted as barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of New Zealand by Mr. Justice Richmond, and immediately commenced practising in partnership with Mr. John Sinclair, now in Auckland, but then well known in Wellington. While in this position Mr. Fleming was appointed examiner to the Education Department in. the teachers' and Civil Service examinations, examiner to the Wellington College Board of Governors, and examiner to the Wellington Education Board, in the last position succeeding his friend, the late Dr. West, Prior to this time, in conjunction with Dr. West and Mr. (now Dr.) Innes, of the Girls' High School, he inaugurated the Wellington Graduates' Association, and organised several deputations to the Government urging the establishment of a University College in Wellington. Feeling the urgent need of such a college, the association itself established classes for the undergraduates, and Mr. Fleming was appointed instructor in political science and mathematics. In 1890 the necessity arose for a second inspector of schools in Wellington, and though only twenty-seven years of age, Mr. Fleming applied for the position, and was selected out of a very large number of candidates, including inspectors from other parts of the Colony, his experience as a teacher standing him in good stead at this juncture. In 1893 Mr. Fleming was appointed examiner to the New Zealand University in the December examinations, which honour was again conferred upon him in the year following. He has always taken a Mr. Thomas Reid Fleming great interest in matters scholastic, and was the first to introduce the home reading movement to the notice of New Zealanders, though this honour was shared by Mr. G. Hogben, M.A., headmaster of the Timaru High School, who independently, though at the same time, brought it before the people of his district. When, a year later, the Australasian Home Beading Association was formed in Sydney, the Wellington circle, on Mr. Fleming's advice, joined that body. Since that time Mr. Fleming has assisted the movement very considerably, and for two years acted as honorary secretary to the New Zealand section. Mr. Fleming belongs the Masonic Fraternity, and is a prominent member of the Citizens' Institute of Wellington. He is a relative of Dr. Fleming, who was Professor of Moral Philosophy in the University of Glasgow from 1839 to 1863, and he is also related to the Rev. J. Oswald Dykes, M.A., D.D., Principal of the Theological College of the Presbyterian Church of England.

Mr. Arthur Dorset, Secretary to the Education Board of the District of Wellington, was horn in Wellington, and received his education at private schools, there being no public schools in the Colony when he was a boy. His father had a large station in the country, and on leaving school Mr. Dorset experienced the pleasures of station life. Becoming tired of this, however, he cams back to the town, and studied law for three years under Mr. J. Gordon Allen, with whom ha continued until April, 1866, when he returned to the station. Eventually Mr. Dorset went into the Treasury Department of the Provincial Government, and here he remained from 1870 or 1871 till the abolition of the provinces in 1876. He then joined the Colonial Treasurer's department, but in a short time retired on compensation under the Abolition of Provinces Act. It was then that Mr. Dorset took up his life's work, joining the Education Department, and acting under Mr. Lee, the then inspector and secretary combined, for a number of years. In 1882 he was page 374 appointed to his present position, which he has held with credit to himself and the department ever since. Mr. Dorset was a member of the first football club formed in Wellington, and is also interested in cricket. His father, Mr. William Dorset, was one of the original Port Nicholson settlers who came out under the auspices of the New Zealand Company, and a section of land which he secured in the early days now forms the site on which Mr. Dorset's private residence in Tinakori Road is erected.

The Technical School is under the control of the Board of Education in the district of Wellington. It occupies the whole of the second story of the fine bulding in Mercer Street, adjoining the Public Library, which has been erected for the purposes of the Board. The work of the school was commenced in 1886. The main objects are the training of primary school teachers, and to establish a thorough system of drawing in the primary schools. Classes were, however, opened to the general public, and the school opened with about thirty students, in addition to the teachers employed in the Board's schools, who numbered about one hundred. Extraordinary progress has been made, there being now fully 480 students, or about four times as many as the school originally started with nine years ago. And this has been done in face of enormous difficulties. The heavy cost of appliances necessary to the successful performance of the work, had to be provided by the efforts of the director, by means of concerts, entertainments, and subscriptions. There was also much opposition encountered from some whom it would be supposed would rather have aided the formation of the institute than have opposed it. Nevertheless, all obstacles have been successfully combatted, and the school is daily becoming more popular. For the purposes of examination the educational districts of Westland, Greymouth, Marlborough, and Nelson are affiliated with the Technical School. The same remark applies to the Westland Technical School, and Wanganui College, besides a large number of secondary schools in the Wellington district. The Wellington College and Girls' High School drawing classes are conducted by instructors from the Technical School. Mr. A. D. Riley, the director, issues an annual report, which deals with the workdone during the previous year throughout the district. In his report of the 1st March, 1895, the director states that much greater interest has been taken in the work by everyone concerned, and that in the primary schools considerable progress has been made during the year. In the first grade drawing examination, 6015 papers were issued, and of that number 5477 candidates actually competed at the examination, resulting in passes to the number of 3190, Among the papers, 432 were marked “excellent,” and 529 “good.” The central school is associated with the Science and Art Department, South Kensington, and exceptionally high awards have been obtained in connection with it. The first art master's certificate completed in the Colony by any art student has been obtained by a student of the Technical School. This certificate entitles the holder to take charge of an art school, and if in the United Kingdom, to earn the grants of the department in respect of work done. The only other school in the Australasian colonies which has obtained this certificate is that of Adelaide, South Australia. The Technical School has obtained several medals and a large number of prizes in the national competition open to all schools throughout the United Kingdom and the colonies. A national bronze medal, and a national book prize were recently awarded. The bronze medal was the only medal awarded to any colonial school in 1894. The subject in which the award is made is design and historical ornament, la the science department thirty papers were submitted, twenty-two competitors succeeding in gaining the requisite number of marks to secure a pass. The results at the year's examinations in connection with the science and art department would have entitled the Board, had the school been within Great Britain, to a grant of £260 in aid of the higher work, and £176 upon the results of the primary schools drawing examinations. Advantage is now being taken of the examinations in science subjects especially by the teachers in the Board's service. The examinations held under the City and Guilds of London Institute have resulted in the highest possible successes being obtained, viz., a silver medal and a bronze medal, both being won in connection with the examination in plumbing. The silver medal is the highest award offered by the City and Guilds of London. The number of candidates examined in plumbing under the guilds in 1894 was 1253, of whom 652 passed. Only two silver and five bronze medals were awarded to candidates in the United Kingdom and colonies. The school having obtained both silver and bronze medals, is therefore entitled to a high position. An idea of the extent of the school's work may be obtained by the fact that no less than 19,329 certificates have been issued since the school was established. There is a library of 344 volumes upon technical, science, and art subjects, of which the students take full advantage. The subjects taught at the Technical School include drawing and painting from life, geometry and perspective, mechanical drawing and machine construction, architectural drawing and building construction, mathematics, plumbing, carpentry, wood-carving, modelling, casting, and stone carving. The annual display of the work of the Students is most interesting, and reflects great credit on the instructors. The writer had an opportunity of inspecting the work, and was very much interested and delighted to see the evidences of ability displayed in all branches. The results obtained by the pupils in carving seemed little short of marvellous. The advantages which are offered to the youth of Wellington in thus giving them the means of employing their leisure moments in the construction of beautiful articles of furniture cannot be too highly estimated. The Technical [unclear: School] is a credit to the Empire City, and under the able management of Mr. Riley must continue in the future, as in the past, to give to the rising generation benefits which they cannot too highly prize.

Mr. Arthur Dewhurst Riley, the Director for Technical Instruction, has occupied the position since the founding of the Central Technical School, coming from Australia for this purpose. He was born at Accerington, Lancashire, where he was educated, subsequently becoming a student at Mintholm College, near Preston, Lancashire. In 1874 he went to South Kensington, where he studied for seven years with great success. He here obtained the highest possible awards that could be conferred. In 1877 he obtained a silver medal in the national competition. In 1878 a national scholarship, and in 1879 both gold and silver medals were awarded in competition. Mr. Riley received his training under several celebrated masters, whose names are well known to the art-loving public, viz.: Mr. E. J. Poynton, R.A., Professor Le Gros, Mr. Arthur Dewhurst Riley page 375 Mr. C. P. Slocombe, and Mr. F. W, Moody. In 1881 Mr. Riley left South Kensington, and undertook a trip to the colonies for the benefit of his health. He came out per Orient ship “Sir Walter Raleigh,” and landed at Melbourne, in which city he remained for a few months. Going on to Sydney, Mr. Riley was offered the position of art master and art lecturer to the Sydney Technical College, and art examiner to the Department of Public Instruction, which he accepted and held till 1886, when he resigned, and accepted the important post in connection with the Wellington Education Board to establish a system of technical instruction in connection with the Board. Mr. Riley has been most successful, and, despite all difficulties, has developed in the school and throughout the district a very high standard of efficiency.