Toko. High School.

Bruce Herald, Volume XXXXIV, Issue 60, 2 July 1908, Page 3

Toko. High School.

The monthly meeting of oommitttee of the above, held on Monday evening, was , att&i'de°4 l 'Moore (ohairmab), Bev.-j. d. Small, Rev. Geo. Miller, Messrs W.W. P. Hall] R. M'Kinnon, R. Milne, J. W. Petrie, T. G. Henderson, and G. H. Thomson (seoretary).

—Rector's Report.^— Milton, 27th June, 1908. Chairman, Tokomairiro H.S. Cqmmittbk. Sir,—l beg to report,as follows: Attendance;— For the .quarter ending June 30,1908, the attendance was: Prim? ary, 221, with a roll nubaber of 241; secondary, 27, roll number 80; combined, 248, roll number 271. \ Playground.—The drains put in by Mr Hay ward have, proved quite successful in removing the large quantities of surface water lying on the playground. I would recommend that several loads of gravel be procured for the paths and the area behind the carpentry room. I have had the plot at the entrance gate planted with bulbs, flowers, and shrubs, many of whioh were kindly given by Mrs D. Reid and Mrs 0. Grey.

School.—The register plate above the range , in the school cookery room had to be replaced; I have, procured 20 large o'olored photographs which will be frimed by the senior pupils. When finished these will be hung around the rooms, and will serve to brighten up the walls. W. B. Graham, Rector. The report was adopted. CORRESPONDENCE. :

The Toko High School Ex-Pup%, Club wrote offering to supply dux medal each year for tha school. —The offer was received with applause, and the secretary was authorised to convej the thanks of the committee to the Club. .

The secretary to the Otago Education Board notified that Rev. P. B. Fraser retired from membership of the Board this year, but was eligible for reelection.—Rev. Mr Small remarked that Mr Fraser had been recoihmended by a number of other committees, and mov6d that the committee also nomi nate Mr Fraser for the vacancy. They could not get a more live man for the position ; if he did not obtainj a thing it was not for lack of" battling."— Rev. Mr Miller seconded the motion, and these gentlemen then signed the nomination form. t

The Secretary to the Otago Education Board forwarded for consideration a lengthy circular re drastic changes in the system of school examinations.— It was considerad that the proposed changes were too important to be dealt with off-hand, and it was decided to refer the proposals to the Rector to report on at a special meeting to be held on July 13th. —Accounts.—

The following accounts were passed for payment: —Lovells Flat Coal Co. (coal) £2 18s, Optimus Studio Co. (photo, moulding) 17s iod, J. Brem* ner (sundries) £1 i6s, Graham and Kennard (sundries) 6s 9d, Mrs W, H. Murphy (cartage) £2 is id, P. Hayward (labor) is, A. Campbell (cartage) 3s. and Ink Money-r-J, Mr Miine brought up the deferred pen and ink money. In doing so he stated that from 26th February, 1907, to 25th March, 1908, the amount collected from the pupils was 3s 3d. and there had been 18s lid spent on stationery. Of this amount only £7 6s 6d was expended on what might purely be termed " pen and iuk " goods. The remainder had been spent on blotting pads, rulers, compasses, envelopes, etc., and he did not consider that the parents of the children should be called upon to pay for such articles; the money) should come out of the committee's funds. The articles enumerated included several which would last for years, and he considered that £lO 12s 6d would be sufficient to spend on pens and ink during the incoming year. During the past few years the parents had supported the school loyally, and he moved that the pen and ink money be levied on a basis of 6d per annum for infants, Standards I to IV 9d per annum, and Standards V to VII is per annum. If the revenue derived on this basis did not prove sufficient any deficit could be provided for from the school funds.

Rev. Mr Miller supported the motion, and remarked that some years ago the Education Board gave school committees power to use their funds for this purpose. At Lawrence and Green Island no charge was levied as pen and ink money, whilst in other schools the maximum charge is 6d per annum. There was no reason why the committee should have a large credit balance, and yet put this tax upon the parents. The motion was seconded by Mi Petrie, who also spoke in favor of it. Conversational discussion ensued, after which the motion was carried unanimously. —general.The action of the Chairman, ir agreeing to the Rector's suggestior that the winter holidays commence or Monday, June 29th, was approved of.