BALCLUTHA DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL.

Clutha Leader, Volume XX, Issue 1033, 11 May 1894, Page 3

BALCLUTHA DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL.

» — A meeting of the above school committee was held in the Borough Council Chambers on Monday evening. There were present — Messrs John Turnbull (chairman), H. J. Day (secretary and treasurer), J. Paterson, J. M'Corley, J. M'Neil, T. M'Donald, G. Lonsley, J. Hogg, and J. Dunne. The secretary Otago Education Board wrote intimating the decision arrived at by the board in re the high school, Mr Pope having received three months notice in terms of his letter of October 21, 1891. — After some discussion as to the terms of the original agreement the letter wa» received, it being pointed out that the decision was arrived at in terms of an evident agreement between Mr Pope and the board. The head master reported the attendance for the past month as follows :— Number on roll 265 ; average attendance 232. He also directed attention to the fact that two of the clocks required cleaning, three coal scuttles required repairing, play Shed, etc., and spouting required attention, and something .required to be done re water supply, the pump beiug again out of order. He also enclosed cheque L8 10s high school fees collected up to date. On the motion by Mr Dunne, seconded by Mr Lousley the chairman and secretary were appointed to see to the matters referred to. On the motion of Mr Hogg, seconded by Mr Paterson a visiting committee of three picked alphabetically from the members was appointed — the committee to report at each meeting as to matters in need of attention at the school. — In speaking to this motion Mr Hogg said the committee should look to their finances before going into much expense. The water supply, so far as the pumps were concerned, did not seem to be a succeas and the water waa not good. Mr Dunne demurred to the latter remark, and said the pump water at the school was the best in the town. H. Rose's account for L2 15a, 5s of which was lighting etc., in connection with Mr Blackmore's lecture. The account was passed with the exception of this item in respect of which Mr Rose was referred to whoever gave him his instructions. Mr J. Hogg said there was another matter to which he wished to refer, and in connection with which he had written out the following motion, which he would move — " That this committee deeply regret that circumstances have arisen which will cause Mr Pope's severance from this school, and desire to record their high appreciation of his services during the six years he has occupied the position of head master ; this committee further sincerely hope that the Otago Education Board will find Mr Pope suitable employment until he obtains another appointment." Hie reason for moving this motion was that from the first he hnd thought Mr Pope a suitable man for the school, and he had seen no reason to change. He was sorry Mr Pope was leaving, and was sure many parents would also be sorry, and more especially so under the circumstances. He had purposely said nothing in the motion of the circumstances, but the committee ehould adopt a motion of the nature of the one mored. Mr Lousley seconded the motion. He thought three months' notice to Mr Pope was very short. Mr Dunne supported the motion in a speech of some length. Mr J. M'Neil said he had heard no complaints about the school during the time Mr Pope had been there, and it must be taken for granted there had been none. The motion was carried unanimously, and copies ordered to be sent to Mr Pope and the board. The following was the Inspector's report for 1893 : "Mr Pope has charge of the High School department and supervises the work of standard 3. He gives instruction with thoroughness and skill ; his pupils show alacrity and intellignence and appear interested in their work. The school throughout is in first-class order in all its departments." Mr Lousley said it had gone to the public that Mr Pope was continually in ill-health, and this might prejudice him in getting another school. He thought it should fee known that the report referred to was not true. The Chairman said that publicity might effect the object desired. — —^—^— ■ ■■ i