ST. ALBANS.

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

ST. ALBANS.

The annual meeting of householders was held in the schoolroom last evening at 7.30. Present—All the Committee and about eighty householders. Mr Thos. Gordon in the chair.

The Chairman opened the proceedings by reading the following report:— The Committee elected to the management of the St. Albans District schools for the year 1532 beg to present to the householders the following account of their deliberations, and a statement ot the manner in which the moneys entrusted to them have been expended. The abstracts ef the accounts which are laid upon the table will show the sources from which such moneys had been received, and the various directions in which payments have been made. Among the works carried out this year that of the erection ef three lavatories and an additional classroom may be considered the chiefest. The desirable work of disposing of the drainage of the premises by connecting them as well as the water-closets with the main sewer in Crescent road has also been undertaken. Mr Lambert, the architect for the work, is absent from Christchurch, but the work will be carried out on his return. The committee, finding that the building at present used as a side school was most unsuitable for that purpose, both as regarded size, position, and conveniences, representea the matter to the Board of Education, and recommended the erection of a school in Office road, that locality being far more distant from a school than the present buildiag, and the population being a large and rapidly increasing one. j This matter has up to the present time been the subject of numerous letters between the Committee and the Board. The Committee also waited upon the Board and received a promise that the matter would be carefully considered as soon as the Government subsidy was received ; this has been received, but as yet no action has been taken. The Committee trust the matter will not be lost sight of by the incoming Committee, as it is one of great importance. The scholars have this year been subjected to two examinations ; the ordinary examination for standards, conducted by the Government Inspectors, Rev. Cumming ond Mr Edge, and an examination for the purpose of ascertaining those most proficient in the various subjects of instruction, with a view to the distribution of prizes, conducted by the Chairman and the Head Master. The result of the first-named examination was not satisfactory, the failures being principally amongst those presented for the third standard. The general unsatisfactory result may be accounted for, to a considerable extent, by the facts that just before the examination the school was closed for so many weeks owing to the outbreak of diphtheria in the district, that several changes had taken place in the teaching staff, and that the maiority of the pupil teachers had not had much experience, having either not passed the first year's P.T. examination or having only just passed. The Committee also think that lack of classroom accommodation may in a degree be held responsible for the bad result. The Education Board were informed of the committee's opinion on this head, and were also informed that the committee would be prepared to work the school with fewer pupil teachers if the Board sanctioned the audition of an assistant master to the teaching staff. This, however, the Board declined to do, but as before mentioned have had a classroom built. The latter examination was far more satisfactory, the questions being answered far better than was expected, considering the result of the previous examination. The prizes were distributed by the Chairman on the 14th December, after which the school was closed for the holidays. The committee were, by the liberality of a few friends, enabled to purchase a more superior selection of books, both as regards quality and quantity, than they could otherwise have done. The attendance during the year has fluctuated considerably. The number of children attending the two schools at the end of last year was 389. After the re-opening the attendance increased rapidly till, at the end of March, there was an average of 435. The outbreak of diphtheria, however, occurring at this time, the school had to be closed for several weeks, the consequence being that numbers of the scholars were sent to other schools, so that the attendance on reopening was very small indeed, and at its closing for the holidays was only'equal to that of last year, but the Committee feel certain now that the compulsory clauses of the Education Act have been brought into force in the district the attendance will increase rapidly. The Committee, on the request of the Eevs. Flavell, Morley, and McCallum, granted the use of the schoolroom on Wednesdays, after school hours, for the purpose of giving religious instruction to the scholars attending the main school. The Committee wish to place on record the fact that they consider the teachers have during the past year worked well, and trust that at the next examination their efforts will prove successful in passing a large per centage. Before concluding, the committee must recognise the valuable aid given by the' constable stationed in the district in assisting the Committee in carrying out the compulsory clauses of the Education Act. The work of the caretaker has given every satisfaction. On September sth last the Committee received a letter from Mr Moor resigning his seat on the Committee, his bad health having rendered it necessary that he should have a holiday abroad. The Committee accordingly, in conformity with clause 64 of the Education Act, which provides that, in the event of such a vacancy occurring, the remaining members of the Committee shall elect a qualified person to fill such vacancy, elected Mr G. F. Spooner. On a motion for its adoption a desultory discussion ensued re the recommendation of the late committee to close the Merivale side school and build another in its stead in Office road. Several speeches followed for and against the matter, ending in the Eev. T. Flavell asking the chairman to be allowed to place on record his protest agaimt the action of the Committee, believing the school was in every way suited to the requirements of the district for some time to come.

The election of the new committee was ihen proceeded with, Mr Smith and Mr Isaac Gibbs acting as scrutineers, and resulted in the election of the followingseven gentlemen:—Eev. T. Flavell, Messrs T. Gordon, F. Smith, F. Bonnington, W. M. Miller, E. Bowbyes and T. Jones.

Votes of thanks to tbe outgoing committee, and to Mr T. Gordon for presiding, brought the proceedings to a close. At a meeting of the newly-ftlected committee Mr T. Gordon was unanimously elected chairman for the ensuing year.