THE SCHOOLS' CONFERENCE.

Evening Star, Issue 9154, 8 June 1893, Page 2

THE SCHOOLS' CONFERENCE.

The following is the annual report of the Executive of the ])unedin and Suburban .School Committees' Conference, which will be presented at the meeting of delegates to-morrow night : Your Executive have to report that nothing of unusual interest occurred during the year to engage their attention. The question of the proper institution or observance of Arbor Day was referred to the Executive, but as the Government proclaimed a public holiday on the 4th of August for the observance of this very important function, and as the matter was taken up most heartily by all the City and suburban school committees, as well as by many country committees, ' there little for your Executive to do. They wish to put on jecord, howt>7oi<, the very vnthusiastic way in winch the celebration of'the (Jrat Arbor Day was entered on, and trust that like enfhusiam will characterise the event jn succeeding years. Considering the want of experience of the community in regard to this institution, and the short time the various schools had to prepare, there is little room for dissatisfaction with the display made bv the assembled schools in the Triangle at the close of the day's proceedings. Pursuant to a resolution passed at last meeting of the Conference, the secretary wrote to tho Minister of Education rerarding an alteration in the mode of voting for the members of the Education Board, suggesting that all the committees should record their votes on the same day. He received a formal reply that the matter would be taken into consideration.

The mode of eleoting members to the Board is in a very unsat|sfac|oryand anomalous condition, and the Conference would deserve the thanks of the community if the result of any action of theirs was a feasible and satisfactory scheme of election. The Executive desire to bring this matter prominently bufore the Conference.

At a meeting of the Executive, held j ag t July, they took into consideration a olause inserted in the Electoral Bill providing that all candidates for electiou to the House of Representatives should have the free use of buildings for holding meetings. Your Executive directed the secretary to write to the city and suburban members of Parliament protesting against tho school buildings being used for such a purpose except where no other building was available, and then

only uppiv j»yi»en><of the. cost of cleaning. Thft secretary wrote accordingly, arid your Executive arc glad to report that the Premier agreed to modify tho objectionable clause in thji |d|r»ction desired by tyem. The Executive are. , ttueh indebted & Mr W; Hutchison,. M.H.R;, \f(>v his promptitude in this matter. iJL of the appointment:of a truant : inspector, was referred to in commendatory terms in last year's report. Y6ur Executive have much pleasure in certifying to tEe good result so. far accomplished by the inspector (Mr Aitken)—and the great tact and diligence with which he carries out the onerous duties entrusted to him. They trust that the Education Board will see their way to continue the services of Mr Aitken. In the year 1889 the subject of school holidays engaged the attention of the Conference, and then it was resolved, after mature consideration, to recommend the schools represented at the Conference to observe the following holidays—viz., five clear weeks at midsummer, one week at midwinter, Anniversary Day, Good Friday, Queen's Birthday, Prince of Wales Birthday, St. Andrew's Day, and the seoond afternoon of the Agricultural and Pastoral Society's Show. These holidays have not been observed with all the unanimity that might have been desired, and the Conference might this year take into consideration whether any further action should be taken on the subject. In this connection the matter of closing the schools on Cup Day will, we hope, receive the earnest consideration of tho Conference. Apart from tho impropriety generally acknowledged of recognising race days by making them the pretext for holidays, it is woll known that many, indeed most, teachers are averse to holidays so soon after the summer vacation, as sucli occasional holidays seriously interfere with the school work.