KAIAPOI BOROUGH SCHOOL.

Press, Volume XXIX, Issue 3895, 16 January 1878, Page 3

KAIAPOI BOROUGH SCHOOL.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the school committee was held on Mondny evening. Present —Meters Paraham (chairman), Johna'im, Bean, Pashbj, Beharrell, Moore, and Wilson. Letters were read from the Board of Education, forwarding £50 for incidental ejp nses ; circular re election of committee on Jauuary 28th, that the application for improved ventilation would be considered when, the intentions of the Government as to supply for buildings was known ; as the committee had not applied for instructions as to the appointment of Mies Hookham's successor, the Board wished to know if the committee had any proposition to mile, pointing out that the commutes had a staff of eleven teachers, and neither the old scale or the new indicated more than seven for 240 children, *nd the present time might be the best for the committee to coneifler thequ. stion of reorganisation. Accounts smountii g to £4 & 9d were passed. A letter was rend from Mr J. Matthews, enclosing & memorial to be forwarded to the Board, pointing out he had been & public

teacher thirty yean, including sixteen yean in the colony; many of hia late scholars were occupying important positions in the public service; he waa in bis sixty-third year, and was suffering from an attack of paralysis, which might at any time render him unfit for work ; he asked for the favorable consideration of the Board in case the Government made grant s to aid worn-out teachers. The returns and report to be presented at the annual meeting were considered, when, on the motion of Mr Johnston, seconded by Mr Wilson, it was resolved—" That the Board be asked to sanction the expense of obtaining the returns of the children between the agea of seven and thirteen not attending school, and that the master and secretary prepare the other returns asked for." The Chairman stated no applications had been received for the situations of mistress and pupil teacher. Mr Fashby stated that Mrs Soulby had not been able to send a reply to the head master's letter as he was away. In reference to the letter from the Board, suggesting a reduction of the teaching staff, Mr Wilson pointed out that the last return to September showed there were 269 children attending the school. Mr Johnston said he thought when the school waa first started it was intended that i the borough schools should have a somewhat J larger and more efficient staff than the ordii nary district schools. He moved—"That, ' pending the return of enumeration required 'by the new Ordinal cc, the consideration of any alteration in the present teaching staff be deferred." Mr Wilson seconded the motion,' which was carried. It was left to the man to appoint an enumerator. With reference to Mr Matthews' memorial, Mr Pashbyi had great pleasure in bearing testimony to) the success and efficiency of that gentleman's teaching. He moved— "That the memorial be forwarded to the Board of Education and the "committee strongly urge a favorable consideration of the same, being able to bear testimony to the efficient manner in -which he has performed his duties during the sixteen years which he has been a teacher in Kaiapoi." Mr Bean seconded the motion, which was agreed to. Mr Johnston drew attention to the nonreceipt of any letter from the headmaster in reference to the resolution passed and communicated to him on December 12th, calling on him to apologise for certain statements made to the Pbbss and News reflecting on the committee. Mr Wilson considered it very strange that the headmaster had not acknowledged the receipt of the letter. Mr Beharrell moved—"That* Mr Rayner be requested to explain before the 21st instant why he has not answered the letter of the chairman sent to him on 12th ult. respecting certain statements made by him in the public prints, and the committee expresses its surprise that he has not done so." Mr Moore seconded the motion. Mr Fashby considered that Mr Rayner woe treating the committee with contempt. The motion was agreed to. The committee then adjourned till Wednesday, 23rd.