SYDENHAM.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13717, 26 April 1910, Page 8

SYDENHAM.

The annual meeting of householders of the Sydenham school district was held last evening, when there was a vory torge attendance. Mr W. Jamieson'was elected chairman. The report of the retiring committee thowed that the teaching staff at present consisted of 17 certificated teachers, « pupil teachers, and 1 probationer, while the roll number of pupils was 1140. Three Board scholarships. 2 Technical College scholarships, ond 11 National scholarships had been gained by pupils during the year, and marked nroficieney had been shown by pupils as" a whole in swimming;, and by tho boys in rifle sheeting. The annual balance-sheet showed receipts amounting to £3118 0s sd, an expenditure of £2954 7s sd, and a credit bakince of £63 13s. The report and balance-sheet were unanimously adopted. Twenty-two candidates were nominated for election to the School Committee for the ensuing year. The Rev. C. Murray suggested that as many -ci the candidates were strangers to him ond other householders, each of them should place his views Iwfore the meeting. The Chairman suggested that instead of the candidates speaking they should, stand up and let the audience have a Kx»k at them. Mr G. R. Whiting eaid he could easily take up lialf-an-h*ur of the meeting's time discussing one matter alone. The sensibio thing to do would bo for people to vote according to their knowledge of the candidates.

The Chairman put the question as to whether the audience desired to hear all the candidates, end declared the miestion negatived. This was challenged by the Rev. Murray, and a show of honds was taken, the meeting declining by an overwhelming majority to listen to twenty-two electioneering addresses in one evening.

The Chairman ruled that the candidates must proceed to the ballot, and ballot papers, were thereupon collected.

On the motion of Mr H. .Hunter, a resolution emphatically protesting against the action of the Government in withdrawing the capitation gront of 9d per pupil was carried unanimously. It-was decided to forward copies of tho resolution to each of the Christchurch members of Parliament.

On the motion of Mr G. R. "Whiting it was decidied that a. deputation consisting of Messrs H. Hunter and G. R. Whiting and the School Committee chairman ehould wait upon the Minister of Education on his next, visit to Christehurch,. and to urge him to restore the capitation grant. Mr ."Whiting moved that a deputation should be appointed to wait' on the Minister of Education end urge that a new school should be constructed at South Sprerdou to relieve congestion at tlio Sydenham school. A lengthy discussion followed* the principal question at issue being that-of the locality of iflie site for the new school.'

Tho Headmaster, Mr J. B. Mayne, said the Sydenham school was not congested, although it was full. There had been o larger roll ten years ago.

Tho motion was carried, and it was decided that the deputation already appointed should wait upon" the Minister in regard to this matter.

On the motion of Mr H. Hunter a resolution urging the Government to take steps to have Education Boards elected on the Parliamentary franchise was carried unanimously. The election of the coram'-tteo resulted as follows, the names being given in order of the number of votes polled: —Mrs J. Field, Messrs G. R. AVTiiting, AY. W. Charters, J. Young, W. H. Joyce, B. W. Harris, and W. D. Marks, Rev. J. B. Cocks, arid Mrs •Webb...-