KAITANGATA.

Bruce Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 2956, 29 April 1898, Page 5

KAITANGATA.

(Fbom Oub Own Cobbkspondent. ) A meeting of the householders In the Kaitangata Sohool district was held in the Sohool on Monday evening. In the ataence ] of tbe ohairman of the retiring committee, Mr Shore, Mr M. Carson presided, and there were upwards of 50 householders present. The Chairman in moving the adoption of the following report, stated that the balancesheet, which had been forwarded to tbe Board'a auditor nearly two weeka ago, was still withont explanation retained by that official : — On submitting their annual report your committee wish to atate that 20 meetings have been held during the year, the attendance of members being exceptionally good. During the year, two vacancies ocourred in onr number, the firat being camel by the death of Mr Andrew Smaili, and tbe next by Mr W. H. Bevin'a removal from this district, the vacancies being filled by the appointment of Messrs A. H. Chapman, and P. Welßh. Your Committee deeire to plaoe on record the loss the oanae of eduoation has sustained by the death of Mr Smaili. Tho number of pupils on the roll for the last quarter has shown a large decrease, and parents are requested to save a diminution in the school, to send their children more regularly to school. The result of the examination held by Inspectors Fitzgerald and Richardson, waa most satisfactory, the teaching st-ff being complimented upon tbe excellent results. Dnring the year, Miss M. Simaon and Messrs Rosveare and Tubman's term of apprenticeship as pupil teachers have expired ; they were succeeded by Miaa Anderson and W. Johnstone. Yonr Committee regreta the retirement of Mr Nicholson aa head master by tbe Education Board, and in their opinion ihe Board acted with undue haate, and if necessity required it the aame end could have been obtained, conaidering hia age and length of service, in a leaa harsh and peremptory manner. Mr J. H. Moir haa been elected to the poaition of head maßter. Daring the past few months several works of improvement have been oarried out, including asphalting and ereotion of a retaining wall at rear of the school, The new reaidenoe for tha prinoipal master baa been completed, ftadto a commodious acd most comforts

j building. The balance-sheet shows the i amount of revenue for the past year to be £160 17a 9d, and expenditure inoluding £53 10a spent upon improvements, to have been £124 8* 7d, whioh leaves a oredit balance of £36 9i 2d.— Mr Hislop seoonded the adoption of the report, whioh was oarried. Mr Mackenzie said he Intended to test the I feeling of the householders present upon the loss sustained by Mr Nicholson's retirement from the teaching staff. He therefore moved — "That this meeting of householders express ita condolence with the late bead teaoher." — Seoonded by Mr Hislop. Mr Hitchon said he would move as an amendment — " That this meetiog expresses ita heartfelt sympathy and sorrow for Mr > Nicholson and family in the altered and painful position in whioh they have been | been plaoed. That during the lengthened I period Mr Nicholson haa been Head Master ! of this sohool, bis oondaot amo- get ua has , been most exemplary, and hia whole life ' suoh as bas won our highest respect and ' esteem. And that in our opinion the action of tne Education Board in peremtorily dismissing him was hasty, arbitrary, and haroh." — Mr Bradley seoonded the amendment, and npon a vote being taken tbe amendment was carried. The following nominations were then received, viz., Messrs Alex. Blaukie, J. Caird, N. Carson senr., 11. S. Hitohoc, J. Hislop, H. H. Brown, F. T. Poole, W. Shaw, W. Duncan (elected), and A. H Chapman, J. Christie, J Johnstone, B. Douglas, M. Caraou junr,, and W. Dixon. Votes of thanks to the retiring committee and the ohairman were pissed. The meetiog th>m closed.