NEWTON.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIII, Issue 94, 22 April 1902, Page 2

NEWTON.

The report of the Newton Schools Committee first-refers to the resolutions passed at the last meeting of householders asking for increased accommodation, for the children in Newton West district. The Committee reported that the reply of the Board of Education was that no funds were available for buildings the proposed'school, and subsequently the boundaries of the Newton School District were altered, thereby transferring a portion of the Eden Terrace District to the Grafton School District. With regard. to the resolutions re home lessons being excessive, the Committee reported having conferred with the headmasters, with the result that the lessons had -been curtailed. With regard to the third resolution of householders protesting against frequent changes of lesson books, the Committee reported having communicated with the Board and the Minister for Education, the matter having also been raised in Parliament, but so far nothing definite has been done. The report refers to the death of Mr John Rosser, late Chairman of the Committee, and pays a tribute to the faithful way in which he watched the welfare of the children and the interest of the schools generally. Thei resignation of Mr G. Knight was also mentioned with regret, that gentleman having changed his residence. Mr Knight upon his retirement presented the teaching staff of the Newton East school with a Students' Dictionary of the English Language, 2 vols., and a Citizens' Atlas. Messrs D. R. Talbot and J. O. Bawden were appointed to fill the vacancies on the Committee, and Mr J. G. Garland was elected chairman. The report also refers to the unfurling of the flag at Newton East school, by Lieiit.Colonel White. The number of pupils on the school rolls is as follows:—Newton East: Boys 396, girls 352; total 748. Average attendance: Boys 358, girls 320; total 678. Newton West: Boys 334, girls 309; total 643. Average attendance: Boys 292, girls 259; total 551, making a grand total of 1391 scholars, with an average attendance of 1229. The result of school examinations was ' most satisfactory. Newton East presented 12 candidates for pupil teachers' examination, and 11 passed. At the scholarship examinations 4 scholarships and 5 certificates of proficiency were secured. One Girls' High School scholarship was won by Linda Porter, two junior district scholarships, Arthur .1. Weir and Ivan Thwaites, value £15 each, and three years' tuition at the Grammar School, and one scholarship, Stanley J. Davis, free tuition at the Grammar School. Newton West school's successful prize winners were: One foundation scholarship, Ray Baxter; two John Williamson scholarships, Arthur Sankey and Charles Waddingham; one Girls' High School scholarship, Nora A.v Bell; threa certificates of proficiency, Jane P. Church, Frederick J. Baildon and Robert W. Hayson. Total: 4 scholarships and 5 certificates of proficiency. Mention wM made of the fact that at the request of the District Health Officer the Newton West school had been closed uafil such time as the present epidemic of scarlatina shall abate. The accounts showed the income to have been £258 14/2, and the expenditure £258 11/10.