ASHBURTON HIGH SCHOOL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXIX, Issue 9993, 23 March 1893, Page 6

ASHBURTON HIGH SCHOOL.

A special meeting of the Board of Governors of the Ashburton High School, to consider the report of the Committee on the proposed reorganisation of the school, &c., took place on Tuesday afternoon at tho Secretary’s office; present—The Hon W. C. Walker (iu the chair), Mojor Steward, hia Worship the Mayor and Messrs Andrew and John Orr. The paragraph relating to the proposed amalgamation of the two schools was first discussed.. The Chairman stated that representations had been made to him that tho proposal was very distasteful to some of the parents of pupils, and that in some cases if carried out it would lead to the withdrawal of pupils from the Girls’ School. Major Steward corroborated the Chairman’s remarks, and thought that it would not do to make the change proposed without at least very full and careful consideration. Tho head master, Mr J. E. Buchanan, said he thought the scheme of the Committee had been misunderstood, as it was not contemplated to amalgamate the schools, bub merely to arrange that certain lessons should be taken by mixed classes under the superintendence of the head master and head mistress. He was inclined to think that the objections of parents would disappear if the proposals were formulated somewhat aa follows: “ For tho better direction of the efforts of the teaching staff and to promote ns far as possible a uniform standard of work in both schools, it is resolved that tho middle and upper classes or the girls be held in the boys’ schoolroom during the mornings under the joint control of the head master and mistress, and that the subjects for such mixed classes shall be modern languages, Latin and mathematics.” Mr Jclm Orr thou:;hs it might ba possible to get tne parents of pupils to meet the Board, and consult as to the proposed course. Mr Andrew Orr concurred, and further suggested that they might be communicated with by circular. The paragraph relating to scholarships was then taken into consideration, and, after some discussion it was resolved, on the motion of Major Steward, seconded ,„by his Worship tne Mayor scholarships be offered, two for boys over thirteen, and two for girls over thirteen, not in attendance at the High School j

such scholarships, to be tenable for two years, and to entitle the holders to free education at the High School, including supply of school books during the period. Two of such scholarships, viz., one for a boy, and one for a girl, to be open to any children whose parents reside within the Borough of Ashhnrton or the town district of Hampstead, and the other two to the children of parents resident elsewhere within the County of Ashburton.” Mr Buchanan and Major Steward were deputed to arrange as to notifying the above, and as to date of examination, &c. The head master brought up an analysis of the stationery, books and advertising accounts, &c., after discussing which, it was, on the motion of Major Steward, resolved—" That, in view of the objections of parents and pupils, the portion of the report dealing with the proposed amalgamation of the schools be referred back td the Committee for further consideration^# 9 A letter from DrCordner, relative to the proposal for amalgamation, was read And received. The sum of j£2 2s was granted to the boys’ Cricket Club, to go towards the cost of cricket material. The Chairman was directed to apply to the Government for a grant to the Board of an area of fifteen acres lying between Eeserve 1111 and the river. Accounts having been passed for payment, the proceedings terminated.