ST. ALBANS

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

ST. ALBANS

Tlie annual meeting of householders last night was very well attended. Mr H. A'Court presided. The Committee's report for the past year stated that the attendance at the main school had increased during the year. The ill-health of the scholars at both themaiii and .side schools during the first part nf the year was no doubt the cause of the average attendance not being so good as it might have been. Another cause for the falling off in attendance wa.4 tin- action of the Board of Education during the vaccination scare in requesting the Committfo to see that all children, before being allowed to attend school, should be vaccinated. The Committee refused to comply with the request, but a large number of children who were vaccinated were prevented for several days from attending school. The roll attendance at the main school showed an increase of twenty-three, over the previous year, but tlw average attend-oice, although (-lightly better, was far from what the Committee would like to see it.

The balance-sheet- showed that the receipts during the year had amounted to £173 15s Id, and the expenditure, to £140 Is 9d, leaving a credit balance of £33 13s 4d.

The report and balance-sheet were adopted On the motion of Mr R. Fktcher. sc-conded by Mr R. Spiers, the following motion was adopted unanimously:—"That this meeting of householders of the St. Albans School District consider tliat in tlie b: j st interests of education, and as an act of justice to the rising generation, the establishment of a fund for the superannuation, of aged and" infirm teachers is an urgent necessity, and that the Government be respectfully requested to introduce, without delay, legislation necessary to give effect to a scheme established on a sound financial basis."

A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the Bright Hours Children for the entertainment they had given in aid of the school funds.

Mr C. Chaplin proposed a motion protesting against the action of the Department of Education in altering the status of the St. Albans sid*> school. The motion was adopted. The following resolution was also adopted upon Mr Chaplin's motion: — "That this meeting is of opinion that the election of the Board of Education should be carried out on the basis of the electoral roll, by direct representation." Tlie followiug Committee was elected: — Messrs R. Fletclior (chairman), F. Cole (secretary), T. Allen, F. Lucas, A. Williams, W. Henley. J. Harrison, H. E. Morgan, and C. E. Salter. Votes of thanks were passed to the outgoing committee, the teaching staff, the chairman and scrutineer;*.