the passing by the General Assembly of "The Otago Boys' and Girls' High Schools' Act 1877."
HIGH SCHOOL RE-CONSTITUTED.
Notwithstanding the eagerness shown by the authorities for the institution of a separate school for the higher subjects, considerable doubt was felt by many as to the possibility of securing a sufficient attendance of properly qualified scholars, owing to the extremely small population of the Province; but all doubt on this point was removed by the extraordinary influx of people in the latter portion of 1861, and in the following years, consequent upon the discovery and opening up of the Otago gold-fields. Accordingly on Mr. Livingston's appointment to the office of Provincial Auditor in 1862, the Education Board and the Government decided to take immediate steps to establish a separate High School for Boys; the site in Dowling-street, now occupied by the Girls' High School was secured; and money was voted for the erection of a building. It was also resolved to authorise the Home Agents to engage three highly competent Masters for the school, the selection being placed in the hands of the Provost of Eton, the Rector of the Edinburgh High School, and the Rector of the Edinburgh Academy.
The following resolutions were adopted by the Board in connection with the organisation of the proposed school:—"(1.) One of the masters shall hold the appointment of Rector or Principal, and shall have the general oversight of all the classes within the institution, and shall be responsible for the good government, efficiency, and success of the same; but each master, as far as possible shall have the charge of a distinct department of instruction. (2.) Subject to such modifications as circumstances may from time to time render necessary and expedient, the departments of instruction shall be arranged somewhat as follows, viz.:—
- Principal's (or Classical Master's) Department.—To include Latin, Greek, French, &c.; Ancient History, Geography, &c.
- English Department.—To include Advanced English, Reading, Grammar, Composition, and other collateral branches, Geography, History, &c.
