ABSTRACT
A number of individuals put forward plans to establish systems of schools with innovatory forms of management based on defined areas before the Education Act of 1870 set up the school board system. The administration of the Act was given to the school boards who could either manage the schools as a board or delegate the powers to local bodies of managers. From 1870, therefore, including those of the voluntary schools there were three different classes of managers. The boards, set up to fill the gaps left by the voluntary system, could be established in a number of ways. After allowing six months for sufficient accommodation to be provided, the Department could send a requisition ordering a board for a district. The number of members of the board varied between five and fifteen, depending on the decision of the Department. Election was to be by ratepayers and members held office for three years.
