who attend any public school under this Ordinance, accusing the master of such school of teaching religious opinions at variance with the doctrines of the Holy Scriptures, the School Committee shall, with the sanction of the Board, and with such assistance as the Board shall direct, inquire into such complaint; and if it shall be proved that the schoolmaster has taught such opinions, or has persevered in doing so after remonstrance, the School Committee may censure, suspend, or deprive the schoolmaster, as they may think fit: provided always that every such sentence shall be approved by the Board." The writer cannot recollect that any proceedings were ever taken under this provision of the Ordinance in the course of the five years during which it remained in force. Power was given to the Board, on receipt of a complaint from two heads of families, being parents or guardians of children attending the school, to censure, suspend, or dismiss a schoolmaster for "crime or moral delinquency," after due inquiry and consideration of any statement in defence that the schoolmaster might make.
FIRST EDUCATION REPORT.
The late Mr John McGlashan, who ever took a warm interest in the welfare of the schools, added to his duties of Provincial Solicitor and Provincial Treasurer those of Secretary and Treasurer to the Education Board, until the repeal of the Ordinance in 1861. When the Board submitted its first annual report (1856–57), there were five public schools in operation. The following summary of information is compiled from the report:—
Schools and Teachers, September, 1857.
| Schools. | Teachers. | Salaries, including School Fees. |
Average Attendance | ||
| Dunedin | A. Livingston | £250 | 0 | 0 | 101 |
| {{{1}}}„ | A. R. Livingston | 100 | 0 | 0 | |
| {{{1}}}„ | Miss Dodds | 124 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Port Chalmers | C. Allan | 135 | 0 | 0 | 31 |
| Green Island | A. Wright | 132 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| East Taieri | J. Hislop | 140 | 10 | 8 | 36 |
| Tokomairiro | A. Ayson | 120 | 17 | 5 | 34 |
| 236 | |||||
