WEST CHRISTCHURCH.

Press, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5405, 23 January 1883, Page 3

WEST CHRISTCHURCH.

The annual meeting of the householders in this district was held last night in the schoolroom, Lincoln road. There was a good attendance. Mr Geo. Booth was voted to the chair. Before commencing, the Chairman was asked whether a person who occupied an office during the daytime only was entitled to vote as a householder. This was decided in the affirmative, and such persons were allowed to vote. The Chairman of the retiring Committee, Professor Bickerton, then read the report of last year's proceedings, which ehowea that the West Christchurch School was still maintaining its high reputation both for numbers and efficiency. The average attendance at the main school during the past year was 834, and at the side school 149. As an instance of the efficiency of the school, the following facts were cited from the Inspector's reports just received:—There were 989 pupils presented for examination, of whom 80 per cent, of boys and 90 per cent, of girls were successful. In the highest stanlard of the boys presented 75 per cent, passed, and of the girls 100 per cent. It was also noted that last year of the five senior scholarships awarded in the colony, four of the successful competitors were trained at the West Christchurch School. The crowded state of the school had impreseed on the Committee the necessity for greater accommodation, and they had consequently written to and interviewed the Board of Education with such success that plans of commodious extensions in brick had already been decided on, and as soon as the exact site could be determined, building would be commenced. The financial report also ehowed a most satisfactory state of affairs, the gross income being £2929 1.33 6d; the expenditure on salaries account, JE2366 10s sd; buildings, £43 4s 3d ; incidentals, &c, i>432 13s; leaving a balance to credit of £87 5s 10d.

The report as read was unanimously adopted. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the retiring Committee, proposed by Mr W. K. Allison, seconded by Mr W. Pratt. The election of the Committee was then proceeded with. Eleven gentlemen were proposed, and on a ballot being taken the following were declared elected:—Messrs W. Pratt, D. Eeese, D. Bowie, F. G. Hawley, W. K. Allison, E. Oatway and J. T.Bell.

A vote of thanks to the Chairman concluded the proceedings. At a subsequent meeting of the Committee Mr Bowie was elected Chairman of the Committee during the ensuing year.