HIGH SCHOOLS’ GOVERNORS

Evening Star, Issue 18255, 20 April 1923, Page 3

HIGH SCHOOLS’ GOVERNORS

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Board of Governors'of the Otaco Boys’ and Girls High Schools was held yesterday afternoon'. Dr Fulton presided, in the absence of the chairman (Dr G. Thompson), and there were also present Messrs J.G. Stephens, T. K. Sidey. M.P., J- M. Onllawav, H. Webb, W. R. Brugh. the Hon. D. T. Fleming, and the mayor (Mr J. b. Douglas). GRAY RUSSELL. SCHOLARSHIP. The committee appointed to consider the question of altering' the Gray Russel scholarship- regulations reported as follows ; As requested by the board, we have considered the possibility of altering the regulations for the Gray Russell scholarship with a view to making it more popular, there having been no applicants for it during the last two years. We find on reference to the trust deed that the board mav from time to time moke such regulations, terms, conditions, and limitations regarding the annual value and tenure of .the scholarship as it may think fit, provided such shall not be inconsistent with tiie promises or with the main objects of the foundation. The deed stipulates that «.oa sy.ouut of the scholarship shall not be less man £4O a year during the tenure thereof, but makes no other stipulation in regard to its value. The present annua! value of the scholarship is £4O, and we recommend, with a view to inducing moie pupils to compete for it, that- this be increased to £SO. Should this not have the effort hoped for. the board could consider other means of attaining the desired end. Consideration of (he report was deferred. „ SCHOOL MAGAZINES. The Education Department, Wellington, wrote drawing the attention of the board to a judgment delivered at the Supreme Court, Wellington, on March 13, by Mr Justice Chapman, in which the AudilorGeneivJ ’ had been the plaintiff and the mern'ers of the ■Wellington College Board ilie defendants. The Auditor-General had sued the defendants, under the Public Revenues Act, 1912. for having disbursed two sums of £2O and £147 10s without lawful authority, such sums being the moneys of the governing bodies of the Wellington College. The Auditor-General had surcharged the defendants jointly and severally with (lie several amounts, and in the action sued to recover the same. The moneys had been expended in the printing ot a special number of the ‘Wellinrrloiiian.’ which was the school paper in connection with the Wellington Boys' College After reviewing the legal argument on both sides, His Honor had given judgment against the members of the board. It was pointed out that the board had no connection with the ‘ Otago High School Magazine, 1 and the letter was “received.” RECTOR'S REPORT, The Rector reported as follows: The total number of bovs now upon the school roll is 620, of whom 170 are seniors, 149 juniors, and 36 paying pupils. The corresponding totals for the past five years (April, 1918, to 1922) are respectively 462, 492, 490. 531. and 582. Mr R. S. M. Sinclair, who was recently appointed to a junior position on the staff, took up his duties when school began after the Easter break. April 4, Ilie work had been satisfactorily carried on. since February by Mr William Lang, of Otago University, who had been appointed ns a ’temporary substitute. The board will probably have noted that Robert Francis Duckworth, a pupil of the school, who distinguished himself la.it vear by a gallant act of life saving at St. Clair, 'has been awarded the bronze medal of the Royal Humane Society. I understand from the local lion, secretary of the society (Mr Juriss) that arrangements will be" made for the formal presentation at the time of the diamond jubilee celebrations. The report was received. LADY PRINCIPAL'S REPORT. The Lady Principal submitted the following report: During .March and April three pupils were entered and five were withdrawn, of whom two went into business, one was transferred to Wellington, and two were found unable to continue study. _ Three others became part-time pupils, their state of health rendering a full course unadvisable. The roll numbers for April are:—l923, 475: 1922, 449; .1921, 593; 1920, 349. The average, proportion of absences for the month is 1 per cent. The work of the school proceeds as usual. The report was received. GENERAL. A circular letter from the Auckland Grammar -School Board regarding the purchase. of scientific apparatus and material was referred to the lady principal and the rector.

The Lady Principal wrote stating that Lady Stout, had ottered to the school a silver cup, to he called the “Anna P. Logan Stout Challenge Cup,” In be awarded in each year to tho girl who, having been at least three years at school, showed the best all-round development of mind and body. The winner would be chosen from a selected number by a committee consisting of the principal and two members of the staff.

Accounts amounting to £2,165 os 5d were passed for payment, leaving a. debit balance .-after payment rtf accounts of L AT 8s 2d.