THE DISTRICT SCHOOL. ANNUAL MEETING.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume IV, Issue 349, 12 January 1876, Page 3

THE DISTRICT SCHOOL. ANNUAL MEETING.

The annual meeting for the election of a School Committee for the year 1876-77 took place in the School-house on Friday evening, the 7th instant, at 7 p.m. There was a larger attendance than usual. Mr Samuel Clarke, the chairman of the retiring committee, called upon those present to appoint a chairman, whereupon Mr John Stewart was elected, but that gentloman after a while vacated tho chair in favor of Mr Roger Hill; Mr Samuel Clarke read tho following reports : — THE SCIIOOI-MHSTEK's BEPOIiT. To the Chairman District School Committep. Sir. — Herewith I havo tho honor t,o present my report of the District School, Tauranga, during tbe puriod I have been in charge thereof. I have nvich p'euture in stating tb at the school is steadily increasing, f lbe average attendaaee of the quarter ending September was 69 out of a total number of 96 children enrolled ; that of the past quarter ending December 17 is 72 out of 101 enrolled. I may remark that hud it not been for the very wet weather the average of the latter quarter would probably have exceeded 75. There has been, I believe, fair general progress made in the various subjeots taught, particularly in English composition and the Geography of New Zealand, in bofch of which branches of school work I found, the oh/ildren vory deQoien*. Owing to the want of a claee room for the younger children, the amount of direot oral teaching given to them has been more limited than I could have wished, but this, I hope, will be speedily remedied. Thanking the Committee for the kindnesß and courtesy extended to me, and trusting that circumstances will permit me to continue to endeavour to still further advance the intereuta of the school, — I have the honor to bo, &o, f JonK Goodwin, Teacher. Tauranga, December 21, 1875.

THB HBPOBT OF THE BETIEING COMMITTEE. The Committee of the Tauranga Distriot School congratulate tbe public on being able to present a much more cheerful report this year than that of last. The master's report proves the school has never before been in so Satisfactory a state as to numbers and attend' ance, while the committee and parents can testify to the improved tuition given and the general good order throughout the school. Early in February the Inspector of Schools held two days' examination of the scholars, and his dissatisfaction expressed at a meeting of the Committee led to the appointment of a new master (Mr Goodwin). In May Miss Brown succeeded Mrs DulzieJ, who resigned. In December Miss Brown tendered her resignation. A great amount of business has come before the present committee ; 14 meetings have been held, against 7of the previous year. The members have worked hard aud harmoniously together. Consequent on the change of masters, mistresses, building propositions, exemption from Education Tax, and other matters, the immense amount of writing' has rendered the offices of chairman and secretary no sinecures. Upon Mr Goodwill's suggestion plane of more suitable deeke aud forms were made and submitted to the Board of Education, and in August new aud superior furniture replaced the old at the expoueo of the Board of Eduoation. On' account of tho growing necessity for tup re "schoolroom accommodation, and the wantiofa master's residence, the committee resolved to endeavour to get fu«ds>for build* ing purpo-es. During the visit of Sir Donald McLpun in February n deputation waited on him, which n^ulted in his granting a loan of £200, and permission for plaus to bo drawn by a Publio Works officer. After consider, able delay plunß were produced, and the.) building teudececLfor. Tfijidera were greatly J

in excess of funds. Sir Donald wns applied to fv an increase of tho loan ; this not being granted, tho eomm.tteo again laid their circumstances fully before the Board of [ Educa'ion. The reply received was not at all discouraging, but a regret that it must be deferred till the Boatd had the expected grant. The committee wishing to expedite matters, have finally addressed a letter, to Sir George Grey asking his influence as early as possible in obtaining the money desired, Mr Clarke informed the meeting that from a letter he had received from Mr Moss, the Secretary to the Board of Education, it would appear that a petition had been presented to the Board from the inhabitants of Greerton requesting that a school might be established there, and asking the opinion of the School Committee thereon, but as Mr Moss had. omitted to enclose the petition no action had been taken on the letter. Mr Clarke also paid a high compliment to the I master, Mr Goodwin, and considered that gentleman a great advantage to the district. Mr C. A. Clarke proposed that the report as read be adopted. He would also at the same time couple therewith a vote of thanks to the retiring committee, which was seconded by Mr Koller, and carried. Mr Clarke returned thanks on behalf of the Committee, and also begged to thank those ladies and gentlemen who had so kindly contributed towards the children's treat. The following gentlemen were then duly proposed and seconded as candidates for election for the new committee, viz. : Messrs Samuel Clarke, John Mitchell, John Conway, Roger Hill, Captain Tovey, Messrs Abraham Warbrick, J, H. McCaw, J. A. Chadwick, R. Rhodes, Peter Grant, James T. Bradley, John Darby, and George Cummin gs. A ballot was taken, Mr Maxwell being appointed scrutineer, when Messrs Samuel Clarke (21), J. Conway (21), J. A. Chadwick (20), J. Mitchell (21), and Roger Hill (11) were declared duly elected. Mr Mclntosh trusted that some means would be adopted to remedy the 1 evils arising from no responsible person having control over the children after leaving the School-house, as he knew for a fact that very objectionable language was used by some of the elder boys in the presence of the girls. Mr Clarke stated that the master was paying very particular attention to this, and if any boy was found out by him it was his intention to make an example of him by expelling him. No one could be more careful and watchful than Mr Goodwin in this respect, and this was one particular reason why the residence of the master should adjoin the school, so that he might have the whole of the recreati on ground in view. He would call the attention of the new Committee to the advisability of dividing the play ground. Messrs Mitchell and Clarke returned thanks for their re-election, and promised that they would spare no trouble to promote the interests of the sc&ool. ITpon.the proposition of Mr C. A, Clarke a vote of confidence in Mr Goodwin, the master, was unanim ously carried. Mr Maxwell urged upon the committee the absolute necessity of devis ing some means for fencing in the school ground. Mr S. Clarke suggested that the Good Templars having had the use of the School-house for some time gratis, it was very likely they would take Mr Maxwell's remarks into consideration. A vote of thanks was thon given to the chairman, and tho meeting separated.