Danevirke School Committee.

Bush Advocate, Volume VII, Issue 476, 2 June 1891, Page 3

Danevirke School Committee.

4 — — The ordinary, monthly meeting of this Committee was held last evening. Present— Messrs A. Mackay (Chairman), Hawkins, Louden, McLeod, McPhee, and Quinlan. Correspondence was read :— From Education Board, stating that the appointment of George Wallace as pupil teacher, had been approved, appointment to date from the time when he entered.on his duties. From the Education Board, informing the Committee that their application fbr increased school accommodation had been postponed till next meeting. From Education Board, requesting Committee to forward to the Board a return of all appliances and apparatus belonging to the Board. — Mr McPhee moved that the Chairman supply the list.— Seconded by Mr McLeod, and carried. From the Board, suggesting that the midwinter holidays commence on Friday, June 17, and terminate on Saturday, July 4.— Mr Hawkins suggested that the suggestion be adopted. ~ Seconded by Mr Loudon, and carried. The Visiting Committee's report was read as follows :— The visiting committee, Messrs A. Mackay and W. H. Hawkins, reported having visited the school on two occasions during tha month. They had found the school work generally carried on in a very satisfactory manner, and the cleaning of the school well attended to. Several . repairs authorised to be done had bee*ii completed. A muddy pool of water between the \ front door of the school and the gymnasium required to be filled up. They were pleased to learn that nnst of the children who had been irregular in their attendance were now attending regularly. Mr Quinlan moved that the repairs mentioned in the report be effected.— Seconded by Mr McLeod and carried. Accounts amounting to £2 13s were passed for payment on the motion of Mr McPhee. — With reference to the account for repairs to buildings, Mr Loudon objected to some items as being excessive, and on the motion of Mr Hawkins, seconded by Mr Quinlan, it was left to the visiting committee. On the question of Mr Miller's account for 3 cords of firewood at 13s 6d per cord, the Chairman explained that Mr Miller would not supply it for less and he could not get it from anyone else. Mr Loudon asked who authorised a holiday on Monday last— The Chairman said he met Mr Hawkins, Mr McPhee, and Mr Quinlan, and they decided that as it had been over looked that the Queen's Birthday fell on a Sunday, the school should be closed on Monday.— Mr Loudon said the children should have been told on Friday. He saw one child who came in from Kaitoke, and had to go back again. The Chairman said a number of Eeople wished the school to have a alfrholiday on Wednesday for the Hunt. Mr Loudon moved that no holiday be given.— Mr McLeod seconded. He said in the last Inspector's report it was stated the school was not open the required number of times.— Mr Hawkins said it would be found that if a half-holiday was not given there would be a sma'l attendance, and this was unfair to the teachers, as it affected the average, and the average affected their salary. He moved an amendment that a half-^ holiday be given on the occasion of"' the first hunt. — The amendment was not seconded and the motion was carried. Mr McLeod moved that in future, the Committee meet in the school-* house. He did not believe in "being shifted about, and they should have a fire and a comfortable room. — Seconded by Mr Loudon. and carried. Mr Loudon moved that notices bo sent to Mr J. F. Wells and the Bcv. Mr llobertshawo to send their children to school.— ln answer to Mr Quinlan, the Chairman said the exemption certificate granted to Mr Wells stood good for one year. — Mr Hawkins said there could be no doubt those gentlemen were having their children educated. — The Secretary read a resolution passed in Aug. 13, 1890, granting Mr Wells an exemption certificate.— Mr Hawkins said he knew the children were being educated— Mr Quinlan eaid if people had children ot school age it was the Committee's duty to see that they were being educated. The Headmaster reported that the absentees referred to in his last report were now attending fairly well. The average attendance for the past month had been— For week sliding May 1, roll no. 188, average attendance 151 4 ; week ending May 8, roll No 187, average attendance 152 5 ; week ending May 15, roll No. 188, average attendance 152*7 ; week ending May 22, roll No. 189, average attendance 1457 ; weekending May 29, roll No. 190, average attendance 152. Mr Quinlan said the home work given to children he thought was rather too much. He did not know if they could interfere with it, but when a boy or girl 6 and 7 years of age had to do home work after school it wss going too far.— Mr McPhee had

heard a number complaining of little children having to do home work.-— Mr McLeod said^ they should be very wary in interfering with the teacher and scholars. — The Chairman said he had been considering the subject, and his own opinion was that home-work was not of such usefulness as people thought. If the children were crammed beyond their power of mind and body it had a bad effect on them. The Inspector tried to advance the children as quickly as possible, as, when the children of poor people were 12 or 14 years of age they were wanted at home.— Mr Quinlan agreed they should be very careful in interfering with the teaching, but he thought it would be a good thing if the home work could be lessened a little.— Mr Hawkins said he had had some experience in teaching, and he found a littU home work taught children to be neat and industrious, and they took a pride in their home work. On the motion of Mr Hawkins, seconded by Mr Quinlan, Messrs McPhes and McLeod were appointed a visiting committee for the month. The Committee then adjourned.