HIGH SCHOOL BOARD. ANNUAL, MEETING.

Gisborne Times, Volume LVI, Issue 6321, 25 February 1922, Page 6

HIGH SCHOOL BOARD.

ANNUAL, MEETING.

The annual meeting of the High School Beard was held yesterday afternoon; present, Alessrs. E. H. Mann (chairman), A. F. Matthews, J. R. Kirk, J. Kinder, R. Robertson, and H. Bright. Apologies were received from Messrs. G. Wildish, L. T. Burrard, and J. Barns-Graham. The chairman reported that the number of pupils was being adaed to almost daily, there now being 50 more than last year. The number of boarders had increased, although there had been a falling eft in preparatory pupil-, due, no doubt to a certain extent, to the present financial conditions. He had again to report that _ the .school was in a prosperous condition, and was fortunate in having the staff which it now had. The school was growing rn pouiarity, and was recognised as a sound institution. The chairman then vacated the chair, and the secretary called ror nominations for the position. In re-electing 3lr. Mann to the position. all the members spoke eulogistically in reference to his services in the past, and expressed the opinion that there was only one man for the posi-

tion. The secretary was authorised to engage an assistant in the office at 10s a week.

The question of appointing new teachers was left to the chairman, and principal to deal with. The*headmaster's report was as follow; :

“The school re-opened cn February G with a roll number of 342 —193 boys and 149 girls—in the secondary department. Compared with the- highest roll for last year, these figures shaw an increase of 50. The whole of the school is thoroughly filled, and the preparatory department is accommodated in the new science room. The attendance lifts been good in spite of the continued wet weather. Owing, however, to the state of the country roads, several pupils were late in resuming school after the holidays. The members or

the staff have been regular and punctual in the discharge of their duties. The positions rendered vacant by the resignations of bliss t-andail. Mr. Grist, and bliss Walker, are to l>e fill-

ed. The increased roll number entitles the school to two additional

teachers, so that altogether nve new members of the staff are required, bliss Prestwick, and Messrs. Coulam. Aitken. and Loc-kie have been engaged to carry on in the meantime, bliss Reader has been engaged as a parttime teacher to take the shorthand and typewriting of the school. Tne preparatory department has a roll number of 44, and has its home in the girls’ .science room. which sTi 11 remains nnequipiped for its original purpose. Mr. Boswell iias resigned, but it is not considered expedient to appoint a successor. The two houses are again, considering the difficult financial position, reasonably well filled. The number ox boarders is now SI, comprising 53 boys, and 2S girls. Of this number 61 arcsecondary pupils, and IT preparatory.

The number of secondary boarders has increased, but this has been mere than counterbalanced by a decrease in preparatory boarders.” The Town Clerk wrote advising that the Mayor (Mr. Geo. V ildish) had been appointed a Borough representative on the Boar*. Similar advice was received from the Cook County Council in resnect of Mr. J. Barns-Graham, who was appointed vice blr. M . G. dherratt, resigned. The Education Department notified that the Governor-General had appointed Mr. J. R. Kirk as a member or the Board.

The principal stated that a ground fund had been established at the school, and was now in credit to the extent of over £ll.

The chairman said he thought that blr. Foote should be congratulated on

the successful year which had been experienced; and lie hoped that this year would shew equally good results.