HAWERA.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume I, Issue 83, 26 January 1881, Page 2

HAWERA.

The annual meeting of the Hawera School Committee was held a 7 p.m., at the schoolhouse. About fourteen householders were present. The Chairman (Mr. Tony) presented a balance-sheet, audited by Mr. Flint, showing that the income had been L 29 14s 9d for the year, of which L2O had been received during the first six months, and from L 9 to LlO for the remainder of the term. There were about L 4 7s 6d now due for capitation, but this was really the only source of revenue at the disposal of the committee. It was possible for the capitation to be lessened by an increase of pupils ; for instance, owing to the rules by which the Board was guided, it might happen that a school received less with a 100 pupils than with 99. However, the committee had made a strong and successful protest against the enforcement of this rule, and had thereby saved a considerable sum to the district. No special report was handed in, but the chairman of the " out-going committee explained several small items in the accounts laid before the meeting. Mr. Pitcher moved that the report be adopted. — CarriedThe following gentlemen w re then nominated for the new committee : — Mr. Torry, proposed by Mr. King, seconded by Mr. Hobbs. Mr. Hobbs, proposed by Mr. Sanders, seconded by Mr. Syme. Mr. Syme, proposed by Mr. Hobbs, seconded by Mr. Pitcher. Mr. King, proposed by Mr. Pitcher, seconded by Mr. Watts. Mr. Pitcher, proposed by Mr. Tait, seconded by Mr. Hurley. Mr. McFarland, proposed by Mr. Syme, seconded by Mr. Tait. Mr. McCutchan, proposed by Mr. Pitcher, seconded by Mr. Hobbs. Mr. Sanders was also nominated. There being eight names, Mr. Torry proposed to withdraw his name, but several of those present objected to his doing so, and Mr. Sanders offered to withdraw his name. Mr. Hobbs hoped that, seeing that Mr. Sanders had offered to withdraw, Mr. Torry would consent to act. His assistance had been very valuable, and the committee had benefitted greatly from his services, both as chairman and secretary. Mr. King proposed a vote of thanks to the retiring committee. He dr<rW the attention of the meeting to the neglect of the Board in not advertising the election of committees in the local paper. Mr. Torry thanked the meeting for the thanks accorded to the retiring committee, who had endeavored to do their duty. With regard to a slip on the part of the Secretary to the Board, he had mentioned the matter to Mr Galvin, and had thought of calling the attention of the Board to the matter ; but it would probably be better for the new comtnittae to do so. Mr. Galvin had declined to receive any remuneration for the- notices already published in the form of news. Mr. King asked what had been done in the matter of the prizes. Mr. Torry explained that the subject had never come under th^ notice of the committee, and in Consequence the latter had never been able to interfere in the matter. The master was anxious to have the co-operation of a committee of ladies in the distribution of the prizes ; but the Education Act made no provision re the distribution of prizes. A discussion followed, in which it was pointed out that the prizes had been placed in Mr. Mair's hands for distribution, and that no one who had subscribed had any doubt of that gentleman's fitness for the task. Mr. King had nothing to say against Mr. Mair, whose impartiality he never questioned ; but thought it was establishing a bad precedent, and was placing an undue amount of responsibility in the hands of the teacher. Mr. McCutchan thought the master the best fitted to distribute the prizes ; he had th results of the public examination to guide him. After the public meeting, the newlyelected comrnitt-e met, and Mr. Torry was unanimously elected chairman. The discussion re the distribution of prizes was again resumed, but no resolution was moved. A general opinion was expressed that the committee could not act in the matter, except on the invitation of Mr. Mair. It was resolved to meet on the third Wednesday in every month, at 7.30 p.m., as the hour had proved convenient, and the date was sufficiently near the date of the Board's meeting in Wanganui, which was held on the last Wednesday in each month.