LOVELLS FLAT.

Clutha Leader, Volume XX, Issue 1031, 27 April 1894, Page 6

LOVELLS FLAT.

* ANNUAL MEBTINO OF HOUSEHOLDERS. The annual meeting of householders on Monday night attracted a good attendance. Mr W. Hewitson was voted to the chair. The secretary road the outgoing committee's report for the year as follows : — ' The annual meeting of 1893 having failed to elect a committee, the Education Board appointed the then retiring committee — except Mr Elliot, who had resigned — to carry on the duties, with the addition of Mr Bennett, w.ho became a member for the year through the ruling of the chairman of the annual meeting in deciding a questionable point by giving him the benefit of the doubt. ' Twelve meetings were held during the year. Messrs Patterson, Hewitson, and Pink attended 12, Mr Lowery 11, Mr Boyd 8, Mr Bennett 6, and Mr John Ourrie attended 8. Mr Ourrie's non-attendance latterly, we may mention by the way, is accounted for by his present serious illness, which rendered it impossible for him to be present at the last two or three meetings and prevents his attendance at this annual meeting. Far from this being considered his fault we are sure you \ will sympathise with him, and share our sincere regret that such a heavy | affliction has befallen our respected fellow committee worker, and with us, hoping for the best, wish him a return ultimately to health and strength. lln October the Education Board drew the attention of the committee to the fact that the attendance had fallen to 36, and notified that consequently the school was not entitled to the services of a sewing teacher, which appointment the committee were proceeding to fill. However, since the school took up after the summer holidays in February, the attendance has improved, the daily strict average attendance for the last quarter being a fraction over 40. Thip gives a sewing teacher, bub is still about 10 short of the number required for the assistance of a mistress. From the way in which the attendance is now improving it seems probable that that number may shortly be reached, the number on the roll at present being 55. The incoming committee will therefore have before them the expediency or other-

wise of appointing a sewing teacher. To prevent the former extraordinaiy diminution of attendance your committee were forced to take vigorous but unpleasant action of a certain nature, which, as is here made apparent, is bringing about the desired result. ' The progress of the school for the year, from an educational point of view, has not bean, the committee regret to say, all that could be desired. The cause, which is to be found comingled with the foregoing statement, need not, as a matter of discretion, be further referred to. Suffice it to say that the current year gives the best of promise of a satisfactory change. $B In December achange in the teachership was made through Mr Botting resigning. Mr Renton then carried on the school in a thoroughly efficient and satisfactory manner for about one month, when the permanent appointee, Mr Neil Pollock, took up the duties. ' That the finances are in a flourishing state the following copy of the audited balance sheet will show : — Cash.— Balance on Ist April 1893 L 2 5s 3d, Education Board allowance Lls, nett proceeds concert L 7 9s 6d ; total receipts L 26 8s 9d. Contra. — Cleaning school and outbuildings Lll 7s, fuel LI 16s, repairs to buildings, fences, and furniture L 8 Is 6d, stamps and stationery 6s 6d, lights, etc. 17s 9d, bank exchange Is, balance to credit L 3 19s ; totai to contra L 26 8s 9d. { A new picket fftnep, nicely painted, has replaced the old dilapidated-looking affair that was just hanging together in front of the school. The other works and repairs effected will, it is confidently hoped, be found commensurate with the above statement of ways and means. {> The item 'concert proceeds' resulted from an exceedingly successful and well-attended concert held in Febmaty. The total profit from this source would" have been greater but that all children were allowed free admission as a treat to them, an innovation, however, which is recommended to be kept up. The performers at ih°i concert comprised five ladies and seven gentlemen from Milton and three local gentlemen, to whom, one and all, the heartiest thanks nf the committee and district are due for their services on the occasion. 'In regard to the unsightly state of east side of school ground through damage by floods, the committee have to explain that- it was suggested to the board in September that a stone facing be built along the bank at an estimated cost of LlO 10s, and asking for a grant of that amount to carry out the work. The board replied shortly afterwards that their architect was instructed to report on the application. Pressure of work, it seems, prevented that officer from coming here till the sth inst., when he and Mr Hewitson (chairman of committee) looked over the work together, and ultimately agreed betwee-n them that a concrete wall would be preferal le, especially on the score of economy. This work, therefore, will soon be in progress 1 Your committee have now much pleasure in handing over their trust to you, which concludes their duties.' Mr John Adam proposed' the adoption of the report and balance-sheet. — Seconded by Mr G. Elliot and carried unanimously. The meeting then proceeded to the electfon of a committee. Mr J. Adam nominated Mr Wm. Hewitson. Mr Bennett objected as Mr Adam was not a ' resident householder ' according to the Act. The Chairman over-ruled the objection on the ground that Mr Adam was a householder through having children attending the school. Mr Bennett still demurred, quoting the Act. The Chairman said he did not wish to dispute the point with Mr Bennett. He gave his ruling f and was quite prepared to take the responsibility outside of Mr Bennett. Mr Bennet said he was compelled to accept the ruiing, but at that rate the pet was no good. — (Laughter). The nominations were then proceeded with — a number, including Mr Bennett, declining to stand. The committee ultimately elected was as follows : — Messrs W. Hewitson, H. J. Pink, D. Bryee, P. Boyd, A. Lowery, W. Patterson and G. Elliott. A vote of thanks to the chair concluded the proceedings.