OPAWA

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

OPAWA

There was a fair attendance of householders, and Mr W. Broadhurst, chairman of the retiring committee, presided. The annual report stated that the average attendance for the year had been 26-3.7. a slight decrease on the previous year, owing to the protracted epidemics of measles and whooping-cough. The roll number had increased. The incidental receipts had amounted to £94 Is Gd, and the expenditure to £70 13s 3d, leaving a credit of £23 Ss 3d. Outstanding liabilities amounted to £6. This year the committee had been deprived of the special grant, amounting to about £10. " The Bible class was conducted by the Rev. H. Williams on Wednesday and Friday mornings. The eavings bank showed a sad falling off, the deposits for the year amounting to only £2 13s »3d. A cadet corps had been successfully inaugurated during the year.

The chairman referred to the loss of the special capitation grant, and expressed the opinion that the incoming committee would have to he circumspect in their expenditure if the grant was not to bo renewed. In regard to the savings bank,- he mentioned that since it, had been inaugurated the sxitu of £345 2s 6d had been saved by the children, though, of course, it was not all in the bank now.

The report, was adopted. The inspectors' reports were then read, and described as eminently satisfactory. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to the headmaster and staff for their work during the year.

A vote of thanks was passed to Mr S. R. Wright, who had ieft the district nfter two years' service as secretary. A similar vote was passed to the chairman and members of the retiring committee

Only nine nominations were received for the committee, and a ballot was therefore not novH?ssary. The committee will consist of Messrs AY. Broadhurst, H. G. Baunton. G. E. Collins, J. Gudsell. J. W. Hilary, J. T. Trerise, Rev. H. Williams, It. Wright (reelected), and 11. H. Turner (who replaces Mr S. R. Wright).

A vote of thanks was passed to Mr Geo. Lauronson, M.P., for the liberal assistance lie had <*iren the school during the past year Votes of thanks >vero also passed to donors of special prizes, to the ladies, and to Mr Collins for his help with the cadet corps. It was lesnlved*— "That this meeting of householders strongly protests against the action or the Government in discontinuing th? special capitation grant to school' committees, which will not only discourage new committees, but in a great many cases make it impossible for them to make ends meet."

The withdrawal of the capitation grant was warmly condemned by several sneakers, who. accused the Governrr»ent of parsimony, and objected to re-tit-nchrncnt being "carried out at the expense of efficiency in the primary schools. It was admitted that the finances of Opawa school were satisfactory, but it was pointed out that the position ,of Opawa was an exceptional one. The protest will be forwarded to the Minister for Education.

At a meeting of the newly-elected committee, Mr W Broadhuret was reelected chairman.