LITTLE RIVER.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume XX, Issue 1521, 10 February 1891, Page 2

LITTLE RIVER.

At the monthly meeting of the Little River School Committee the members present were Messrs G. T. Sefton (Chairman), Gr. Smith, A. Williams, H. Thomas, and A. Trigg.

Correspondence was read— From the Education Board to the effect that the cum of £37 3s 3d had been placed to the Committee's credit, for salaries to teachers.

Mr Gilling, Head Master, reported that a number of scholars (most of them boye) had to give up school during the past month on account of the grass eeed harvest. That the infant room pupils, and most of the girls in the standard classes have attended well, the average for the past month being 90.6, highest attendance on one half day, 102. He stated that the roll number was 130, so that the average attendance had been about 69 per cent, of the number belonging to the school. Such a percentage would be bad at ordinary times, but in harvest time is not exceptionally low. A low average always tells on the work of the school in this way, that all the work whioh has been done while soma of the children are absent, must be gone over again when those children return to school, and if an Inspector should make his visit before tbis course is completed, failure is the natural result, in many cases. Mr Williams drew attention to the fact of the Inspectors delaying their visits of inspection until after the Xinas holidays, which was very unfair, both to the teachers and the children. The Chairman said that he had mentioned the subject to the member for the district, who h»d promised to exert hie endeavors to get the evil remedied. Mr Smith stated that some drain pipes should be placed near the Side School to carry away the storm water, and it was resolved to have the work done. It was resolved that tenders be invited for three cords of firewood for the Main School, nnd one for the Side School, and also that a public dance be held on the 23rd Feb., in aid of the children'e prize fund. After passing accounts for payment the meeting adjourned.

An excursion train from Kaiapoi, bringing about 400 of the employees of the K'uapoi clothing factory, arrived at ten o'clock on Saturday morning. The numerous party proceeded to the cricket ground (the cite choeen to hold their annual picnic). The ground was in good order, and the weather was delightful.

Th<ise favorable circumstances largely aided the pleasure seeker in iheir efforts, and success was the result. The proceedings were enlivened by the notes of the Pa'ace Band, and dancing and various ga»nee were indulged in, one and all appearing to thoroughly enjoy themselves, The bush as usual proved attractive to m»ny of the parry, who returned laden with ferns. &c. At 6 o'clock the train left for Kaiapoi, all of the party appearing to be weli satisfied with their day's outing,