ONEHUNGA.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 95, 23 April 1901, Page 3

ONEHUNGA.

The annual meeting- of householders was held at the schoolroom last night, ! there being an attendance of ninetytwo persons. Canon Haselden was voted to the chair. He said it must be very satisfactory to the householders who have taken an interest in education to know that this would be the last annual meeting in the old school building, as the new school was now in course of erection. He then read the annual report, which was as follows:—The work of the school had been carried out in as satisfactory a manner as the building and surroundings would allow by the head master, Mr W. N. Mcintosh, and his assistant's, Mr Jas. Robb, Misses E. S. Bull, H. Robb, R. French, J. Bower, and the pupil teachers. The staff are to be congratulated on ,the manner they have worked and endeavoured to make the best of the old building. The committee regret that the teachers and children have suffered in health .in consequence of the position of the school, which happily will soon be changed. The number on the roll for the year \vass.l3, the average attendance being 453. An increase in the number on the roll and a considerable increase in the average attendance is to be expected as soon as the new school is erected. The inspectors' reports have been very satisfactory. The junior district scholarships were won by Lavinia Strong and Prank Davage, and certificates of proficiency by Barbara Price and Leonard Mincher. The committee agree with the remarks of the chief inspector of schools in his last report regarding home lessons, especially deprecating arithmetic exercises as home work- The committee thinks that school work should be done in the school and not at home, and it is better to curtail the holidays, or even to increase the school hours, than to burden children with lessons to learn at home. The committee held fifteen meetings during the year, and it gave them pleasure to state that a tender had been accepted for a new school at a cost of £2434. The income for the year was £98 8/, and the expenditure, including a debit balance from last year of £2 1/2, amounted to £104 1/9, leaving a balance debit of £5 13/9, which\vas caused principally through cleaning and repairs to the old building. The treasurer also submitted his statement of accounts, and the report was adopted on the motion of the Chairman and Mr D. 0 Brown.

Mr Mcintosh, head master, said that while he agreed that home work should be minimised, it was not to the interests of the children, as it would take considerably longer to pass the standards. Some parents had consulted him, and were ln favour of home work, while others were against the system. *Qn the motion of Mr-J. G. Hutchison and Mr J. Laking a unanimous vote of thanks was tendered to the head master,

The Chairman announced that he hail received nine nominations for the new committee, the names being those i who had served last year. lie invited I further nominations, when Mr baking I moved that a hearty vote of thanks ibe tendered to tbe outgoing commit--1 tee for their past services and suggesting that they be re-elected a? a compliment for their services in securiug a new- school. Mr J. Shaldrick seconded the motion, which was agreed to. Mr R.'Smith was nominated by Mr Morton, and there being no further noiniations the Chairman declared that a ballot should be taken, as ten were nominated. The election resulted in the return of the old committee, the votes being as follows:—S. Ban*, 90; I). A. 111-own, 90; J. Haselden, 90; E. Hall, SS; J. G. Kelsall. 89; C. McLeod, 90:; G. H. James, 89; J. Rowe, 89; G. Vause, 90; and R Smith, 8. Messrs Richardsou, VV. Bass, J. C. Hutchison, 11. J. Davis acted as scrutineers. The committee met immediately after their election and Canon Haselden Avas appointed chairman and Mr S. Brook- . field secretary.