MEETINGS OF HOUSEHOLDERS.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11569, 28 April 1903, Page 5

MEETINGS OF HOUSEHOLDERS.

The annual meetings of householders in tihe different school districts were held l«sv night, sod committees for the ensuing year were elected. , EAST LILRISTOHURCH. At the meeting in the East Christchurch School, Mr J. T. Smith occupied the chair. There wus a good attendance of householders present. The annual report stated that the attendance at the school during the first two quarters of last year wu up to its normal level, being 1005.7 out of a roll maximum of 1168, but during the last two quarters the attendance had been seriously interfered with by the epidemic of measles and scarlatina. There had been a slight falling oil in the roll number, resulting from the fact that fewer young children were being brought to the. infants departments than was the case in past years. In 1899 288 children were admitted to this department, 274 in 1900, 273 in 1901, and 245 in 1902. On two occasions tho school was thoroughly fumigated under the supervision of the Health Officer. The new swimming instructor had, ia two months, worked up a class of thirty-three pupils, all of whom could keep thsmselvca afloat in tho water. Eightythree small rifles had been received from the Government for the purpose of enabling the senior scholars to obtain a preliminary knowledge of firearms. Reference was mode to the scarcity of male teachers, the technical education" scheme, and the suggestion that school committees should be elected on the same basis as members of the Education Board, and that only ouethird should lethe annually. In conclusion, the committee .Uitcd that, although tbsy started the j«.ar tvuii liabilities e.\ceedi_jg £60, they fini-hed up uith a substantial credit baiiiiiee.

The balance-sheet showed that the receipts in the general auouii. for the. year had amounted to £_eY 1-.-, including £255 17s 5d incidental allowances, and the expenditure to £328 13* 3d, Laving a bank balance of £19 5s 3d. Tlie bath account showed receipts £70 15s sd, and expenditurti £56 12s 9d.

A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr W. C. Aiken, the honorary secretary and treasurer. A vote of thanks was also passed to the outgoing committee. The following were elected members of tlie new Committee: —M<>**r_ A. C. Andrews, T. J. Archbold, W. H. Denton, J. Jamieson, J. F. Mathews, D. Lumsden, F. B. Sap_ford, A. E. Taylor, and A. E. Ward The question of homework was discussed, and several householders stated that they would not allow their children to do homework. Tlie Chairman pointed out that the parents could, if they chose, request the headmaster to relieve their children of homework, but the parents must take the risk of thei* children fulling behind and failing. The prizes won by the boys at the Sohool Swimming Sports were presented by the headmaster at the close of the meeting. At the meeting of the Committee Tield immediately afterwards, Mr J. Jamieson waa elected chairman.