RICHMOND.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 11877, 26 April 1904, Page 10

RICHMOND.

There was a large attendance, a number of ladies being present, and Mr H. B. Sorensea was voted to the chair. The committee's report - stated that the number, of pupils on the roll on March 31st was 631, as against 646 in 1903, a decrease of 15. The average attendance for the quarter ending March 31st last was 553.3. When 'the school was examined in. July there. were 617 children on the roll, and of these 592 were present at the examination, and 340 passed. The Inspectors' report waa in every way satisfactory, excepting as regarded one class. Mr C. S. Howard had resigned. Reference was made to the recent disagreement with the Board, which culminated in the resignation of tlie Committee. All the pupil teachers passetLtheir respective examinations with merit. The Cadet Corps was now fully equipped. The balancesheet showed that the revenue, inclusive of the,amount carried forward from the previous year, was £118 16s 4d, and the expenditure £117 7s lid, leaving a credit balance of £1 8s sd. Hie balance-sheet was adopted. Mr Sorensen, referring to the trouble with the Board, said it liad come to his knowledge that certain newipapers in the North Island liad stated that the difficulty was between the Committee and the headmaster, but he wished to contradict- that otate—tent, as the. headmaster had the fullest confidence' of the Committee.

Mr Fk-ber said he could nqj, ace what good purpose would be served by reopening the question, and* hoped the meet-

ing would do nothing to injure the prospects- cf the master referred to. Th? secretary read all tlie correspondence in connection "with the difficulty with, the Board, and quoted from the Inspector." reports at considerable length. After some discussion, Mr W. Snowball moved—" Tliat the action of the Committee be approved." The motion was seconded by Mr Osborne, and supported by Mr Drayton. Mr Flesher and other speakers thought tlie Committee were justified up to a certain point, but« should not havo resigned. Mr G. Swarm asked what guarantee there would be that the old Committee, if re-elected, would not resign in a few days, and leave the school without a Committee. A number of householders took part in the discussion, and tlie resolution on being put to the meeting was carried unanimously. The following committee were elected: — •Messrs H. B. Sorew-en (chairman), J. Hughes. J. Hooper. R. S. Ward (secretary). T. Hilson, W. Darlow, W. C. Shaw. T.M. Potter, and J. A. Flesher. The first, eight of the newly-elected members were members of the former committee. A resolution was unanimously adopted in favour of the establishment of a superannuation fund for teachers. A motion was passed recommending the committee to consult tlie headmaster in making all junior appointments to the staff. Votes of thanks were passed to the staff, the outgoing committee, and to the caretaker. PREBBLETON. Tlie Prebbleton householders last night elected the following committee:—Messrs J. Gallagher, •Scales, Gabites, W. Haden, J. McNalley, J. Patterson, and W. Ash. There were small meetings of householders at the Timaru schools last night, but there were better attendances at Temuka, Tlie Timaru Main and Temuka meetings passed resolutions in favour of a teachers' superannuation fund.