SCHOOL COMMITTEE ELECTIONS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXX, Issue 14979, 27 April 1909, Page 8

SCHOOL COMMITTEE ELECTIONS.

THE HOUSEHOLDERS’ MEETINGS. The annual meetings of householders for the election of school committees in the various school districts were held throughout the dominion last evening. ''ln the districts in Christchurch and the neighbourhood tho meetings were generally well attended, and considerable interest was shown in the elections, but there was no organised attempt to bring any educational matter of general interest before the meetings, and the subjects.discussed wore almost invariably of purely local importance. In a few cases women nominated for election as members of committees, and were returned. n WEST CHRISTCHURCH. There was a fairly large attendance at the meeting at West Christchurch, including'a large percentage of ladies. Air C. D. Morris, chairman of the outgoing committee, was elected chairman. The report of tho committee covered an excellent report from the inspectors on the condition of tho school, and stated that the staff was to be congratulated. The year’s working .had been altogether satisfactory. The balance-sheet showed that the receipts, including .a balance carried forward, had been £2BB 9s lOd, and the expenditure £194 18s 7d. The capitation for the chemical laboratory had boon expended, - and the swimming capitation had been paid to the instructors, leaving a credit balance of £39 6s. The chairman congratulated the committee on its report, and remarked that no committee had ever come to a householders’ meeting without a credit balance. A very great debt of gratitude was due to tho teaching staff for its continuously, good work. (Applause.) A more recent special report from the examiners had stated that the work of the school had been conducted with energy, ability and marked success. The teaching had been uniformly good, and the methods of instruction accorded well with modern developments, and aimed at laying a sound and lasting foundation on which the work of futuro years might be successfully built. The report and balance-sheet were adopted, and on the motion of Mr H. Holland a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the headmaster (Air G. D. Hardie) and staff for their good work during the year. A' vote of thanks was accorded to the outgoing committee. Eighteen persons, including two ladies, were nominated for seats on the committee, and the following were elected:—The Rev I. Bernstein, Dr Chilton, Messrs C. D. Alorris, J. H. Jones, H. Holland, S. Al’Murray, J. M’Cullough, G. Barrell and G. T. Chisnall. It was resolved to ask the Education Department to facilitate the practice of rifle shooting on the school grounds in the direction of Alorris tube ranges. At a meeting of the committee Mr C. D. Morris was re-elected chairman and Mr A. P. Farrow secretary. EAST CHRISTCHURCH. There was a, large attendance of householders at East Christchurch. Mir T. -.AY. Rowe was voted to the chair. Thb secretary (Mr AV. F. Hilson) read the'annual report, which congratulated, the householders on the success of the' school, ' and the balance-sheet, which showed a deficiency of £3B. Mr John Jamieson, chairman of the retiring committee, moved the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, saying that the deficiency would easily /be made up during the current year. He congratulated the committee on having ladies on it, and said that one member (Airs Williams) bad done.more than any previous; committee, having been successful .in raising sufficient funds to purchase a piano for the South Belt School. . 1 Dr C. J. Russell seconded the motion,, and it was carried. For the new committee 1, there were eleven nominations, and the following were elected:—Airs E. Williams, Mrs E. M.t. Jordan,. and Alessre A. C. Andrews, W. C. Aiken, ,T. Compton, J. Jamieson, D. Lumsden and A. F. Drayton and Dr C. J. Russell. - Mr .Palmer moved—" That the committee be requested to approach the Education Board with the request that the Phillipstown School be declared -a main school.” r . Mr Reddington seconded the motion, which was carried, r Votes of thanks were accorded the teaching staffs of the schools under the control of the committee. At a meeting of the committee held subsequently Air Jameson was reelected chairman, and Mr Andrews was reelected vice-chairman. Air AV. F. Hilson was reappointed secretary. SYDENHAM. The annual'meeting of householders in the Sydenham district was attended by about a hundred householders, and Air W. Jameson presided. The annual report reviewed the work of/ the year and stated that the attendance had been very good during the year. The receipts had been £2846 8s 4d, of which £67 ■ 9s 4d was the balance carried forward from the previous year. The expenditure had been £2744 6s lid, leaving a credit balance of £lO2 Is sd. The report and balance-sheet wore adopted, j It was resolved to instruct the committee to again urge the Alinister of Education to consider the question of school caretakers being admitted to the benefits of the teachers’ superannuation scheme. The following committee was elected : —Messrs W. D. Alarks (chairman), W. Miller, E. E. Wright, A. de Roo, T. • H. James and A. W. Robbins, the Rev P. J. Cocks, and Alesdames A Hunt and E. Webb. A resolution in favour of the provision of free school book® was carried, and it was decided to forward a copy to the Alinister of Education. It was decided to instruct the committee to urge the Education Board to hasten the building of a side sohcol in South Sydenham and to furnish the school when it was built with single desks. Votes of thanks to the retiring committee and to the Rev P. J. C-ocks for the religious instruction lie had given a.fter school hours were passed. It was decided by a largo majority to request the Education Board to reduce the time for instruction from twenty-five hours to twenty-four and a 1 half hours a week. It was resolved to draw the attention of the Education Board to the dangerous state of the fire escape on the brick building at the school. WALTHAM. Air, R. Hunter presided over the meeting at Waltham, and there was an exceptionally large attendance, about two hundred and fifty persons being present. Air F. A. Dunn, chairman of the retiring committee, read the annual report, which stated that the school had again completed a most successful year. At the beginning of the year there had been a credit balance of £45 15s Id, and it had been increased to £57 IBs lid. The report was adopted. A vote of thanks to and of confidence in the teaching staff was carried with acclamation. Twenty candidates were nominated for the committee, and the voting resulted in the election of Alessrs F. A. Dunn, T. S. Alortlock, C. V. Harvev, T. C. Hill, W. Wraight, W. Ditford, G. Ablett. T. Shaw and A. G. Watkins. The following resolutions wore paused “ That the School Committee form

a team to compete for the Sir John Hall Challenge Shield Life-saving Competition,” and “ That this meeting congratulates tho Alinister of Education on the Government’s decision to supply flee school books up to Standard 1., and hopes that this course may bo extended to tho higher standards.” j At a meeting of the committee) Air Dunn was elected chairman and Air Harvey treasurer. AVOOLSTON. At Woolston the • attendance of householders was large, there being about seventy present. Mr. W. R. Smith, chairman of the retiring committee, was in the chair. Tho annual report stated that though representations had been raado to the Education Board, some of the children were still accommodated in old buildings, and there was not an adequate water supply. The balancesheet showed that in the general account the receipts had been £203 5s Id and the expenditure £lsl 6s_7d. There was a credit balance of £sl _lßs 6d, and liabilities amounted to £25 ss. Id. In the savings bank there were sixtynine depositors, with £4l 15s 4d to their credit. The library and other accounts were in a satisfactory position. . Tho report and balance-sheet were adopted. . • The inspector’s report, which was of a most satisfactory character, was adopted,- and the members of the staff were complimented oil the success which had attended their work. The committee was recommended to arrange, to allow children tho use of a classroom on cold and wot days during lunch-hour. The following motion was carried — “ That in the opinion of the meeting the. time has arrived when the Education Department should have the open door from the primary school to the university.” A motion protesting against the system of centralisation of scholars for examination was carried. It was decided to hole} a householders’ meeting in six months. There were eighteen nominations for seats on the committee, and the following were elected:—Alesdames . AI. AVickes, AI. C. Barwick and A. Veitch, and Alessrs' W. T. Thomas, W. R. Smith, J. Baliantyne, J.. Cleworth, AY. Crawford and R. O. Douglass. RICHMOND. There was a large attendance of householders at Richmond, including a fair sprinkling of ladies. Air J. A. Flesher, chairman of the retiring committee, was voted to the chair. The annual report of the committee, which spoke favourably of the work of the year, and the inspector’s annual report were adopted without discussion. Fifteen nominations were received for nine positions on the / committee, and the following were elected:— Messrs Iv. Bassett, - J. A. Flesher, J. Lawrence, T. H. Harris, J. Hughes, A. Young, T. Hilson, H. Langford and R. King, all of whom were members of the old committee. It was resolved, as a recommenda- 1 tion to the committee, that the Education Board should be approached with a view to having a better class of attendance certificate supplied to scholars. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the school staff, the committee and the chairman. At a subsequent meeting of the committee Mr Flesher was re-elected chairman, Air Bassett secretary, and Air Langford treasurer. ADDINGTON. The . annual meeting of householders in the Addington district was largely attended, and Air C. Taylor presided. The annual report, after dealing vrifh the destruction of the main school building by fire, stated that irrespective of this drawback the attendance during the year had gradually increased and a higher standard of efficiency had been reached. The balance-sheet showed that the \ finances were in a most satisfactory condition. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. - The following were elected a committee:—Alessrs R. Ellison, J. Patterson, A. L. Gonrlay, \Y. Bowden, AY.. G. Burns, J. Down, D. M’Cracken, J. Spiller and AI. AVoodfield. Air R. Ellison was chairman of the committee, and Air W. Johnson secretary. > A , * ST ALBANS. The meeting of householders in St Albane school was very largely attended, and Air C. E. Salter was in the chair. The report of the committee stated that the work of the school had been very efficiently maintained. The school had advanced a grade, and had obtained the services of a pupil tea.chor. The inspector's reports specially eulogised the marked energy and ability and efforts of the zealous and efficient staff. The balance sheet showed :—Receipts £241 17s 7d, expenditure £IBO 4s 7d, credit balance £6l 13s. / The report and balance sheet were unanimously adopted. Alotions Were passed recommending the Education Board to make a grant towards the upkeep of the school bath on the condition that the bath should be used solely by the scholar®, and to make a grant towards the gymnasium. The following committee was elected: —Alessrs A. H. Hobbs, T. Allen, F. Cole, J. D. Colville, J. W. Beanland, S. Faulkner, F. Lucas, H. E. Alorgan and J. Prqtt. Hearty votes of thanks were acoorded the headmaster (Air Sutherland) and the teaching staff, the out-going committee and the chairman. ELMWOOD. There was a fair attendance at the meeting of householders of the Elmwood school district, and Air James Alitchell presided. The committee, in its annual report, congratulated the householders on the substantial progress made by tho school during tho post two years. The balance-sheet showed : —Receipts £l2B 2s Id, expenditure £77 19s od, credit balance £SO 2s Bd. Improvement account: Receipts £Bl 13s 4d, expenditure £BO 11s lOd, credit balance £1 Is 6d. The report and balance-sheet were adopted, special mention being made of Air D. E. Rout’s generosity in giving silver watches as prizes for progress and attendance. Tho election of the committee resulted in the return of Messrs J. C. Adams (chairman), R. S. M’Kenzie (deputy-chairman), C. H. D. Turner (secretary and treasurer), G. E. Dalmor, A. S. Howard, A. Winterburn, J. Mitchell, H. V. Free and R. S. Gibson. PAPANUI. There was a large attendance of householders and parents at the annual meeting at Papanui. Air A. E. Uren was in tho chair. Air J. J. Adams, headmaster, read a very favourable report from the inspectors. The committee’s annual report stated that the district was to be congratulated upon the highly satisfactory condition of the school. The balance sheet'showed a credit balance of £36 2s sd, as against £26 3s 3d for the previous year. The report and balance sheet were passed without comment. Tho following were elected the committee:—Messrs T. Probble, J. Blumsky, F. Clausen, A. Wren. 0. Brooks, F. Barnard, G. Livingstone, F. Horner and J. Kettle. OPAWA. There was an attendance of about forty householders at the Opawa meet-

ing. Air W. Broadhurst, chairman of the retiring committee, presided. The annual report stated that tho year had been successful. Tho receipts amounted to £lO4 0s 4d, and the expenditure to £BS ss, leaving a credit balance of £lB 14s 6d. The attendance’of the Biblo class conducted by the Rev H. Williams, was keeping U£>. A suggestion was made that tho children’s savings should be invested in a money club, ancl the committee was requested to consider it. Tho report was adopted, and the staff was congratulated oil tho excellent report given by tho inspector. Thirteen nominations were received for tho committee, and tho following were elected:—Messrs W. Broadhurst, G Collins, H. G. Baunton, J. Gudsell, 3.' R. Wright, W. Treviso, R. Wright and J. W. Hilary and the Rov H. Williams. Votes of thanks were passed to th.e staff and file members of tho retiring committee, and a special vote to tho Rev H. Williams for his work in connection with the Bible class. -

LYTTELTON. At the Lyttelton District High School meeting there wore forty householders present. Air AY. R. ltadcliffo was in the chair. The committee s report stated that the work of the school had been satisfactory. The balance-sheet showed a credit balance of £4O Is Id. The following committee was elected:—The Rov J. J. Bateo and Alessrs J. Pitcaithly, J. S. Olliver, AY. T. Foster, C. A. Rich, AV. Radcliffo, AV. C. G. Taylor, E. C. Curtis and AV. Brown. ' , , , Air Bate* was elected chairman and Air AVeastell was reappointed secretary. AVEST LYTTELTON. There was a small attendance of householders at the AYeet Lyttelton School, and Air S. R. AVebb was in the chair.. ' The committee reported that the credit balance was £ll 17s 6d. The following committee was elected:—The Rev E. E. Chambers and Messrs C. P. 0. Kempthorne, P. E. Bean, F. C. Foster, F. R. Webb, R. Plow and 11. Davis. Air Kempthorne was re-elected chairman and Air Chambers secretary.

RANGIORA. Thirty-four householders attended the meeting at Rangiora, and the Ala.vor (Mr C. W. Bell) presided. Air H. Boyd (chairman of the outgoing committee) reported that nothing of special importance had _ transpired during the year. The examination and inspection reports were very good, but the roll' number had decreased from 323 to 290. There was a credit balance of £l6 2s 7d. " The action of the committee in nominating Mr Boyd for a seat on the Education-Board was approved. A vote of thanks was passed to the teaching 6taff. The following were elected the committee:—The Rev F. P. Fend all and Messrs H. Boyd, J. Alarshall, R-. Ball, C. I. Jennings, J. AV. H. Foster, J. L. Josling and A. Vincent. , The committee re-elected Mr Boyd chairman, and Air J. B. AVilkins secretary.

OTHER ELECTIONS. The following committees were elected in other districts: — . „ „ New Brighton—The Rev H. T. Purchas and Alessrs J. D. Scoble (chairman)', F. Paul (secretary), H. N. Hawker, A. P. Hopkins, F. Hanliam, C. H. AVinny, H. Greenfield and J. Haigh. Soutlibrook—Alessrs R. Parkin, J. Blake, C. Rumbles, S. Kirk, J. Hegan, J. Larskey and S. Breach. ■ Springston—Messrs H. Neale (chairman). S. Bailoy, AV. Lugg, J. E. Johnson, AV. Ivimber, J. Little and J. T. Blakemoro. Kaiapoi—Alessrs G. A. Ellen (chairman), A. T. Ashby, H. Parnham, F. Thorne, A. C. Clark, A. Johnson, D. Al’GregOr and A. E. Alallasch and tho Rov J. S. Reid. • , . Yaldhuvst —AJessrs A. Chisnall (chairman), G. Taylor, A. Johnston, It. Franks. AI. Ryan, J. O’Callaghan ancl AV. T. Burgess (secretary). Sumner—Alessrs E. G. Wood (chairman) E. Eenba/ni. A. N - . Gilchrist/, C. H. Smith. A. Cuddie. C. Lawson, C. Phillips and O. L. Gill (secretary). Ashburton —The Bey H. E. Bellhouse (chairman), and Alessrs T. AI. Clarke. B. Alisson, T. Hayes. T. H. Undrill, J. M Priest, B. M’Callum, A. Heweon and AAA Craighead. Hampstead—Alessrs AV. Thompson (chairman), AAA Beaumont, F. Forriman, G. Bright, AAA Lamb, G. Lamb, sen., T. Crooks, "G. AV. Andrews and J. Ramsey. „ . Tinwald—Alessrs T. A. 0. Pearce (chairman). AV. Cobb, J. Aludie, AV. Hopwood, AAA Carroll, J. Haar and G. Osborn. _ _ , ... Sprevdon.—Alessr* D. Sykes (chairman). J. Bowden. AAA Fenner. E. Hole, H AAA Alanning, R. G. Thomas and JThomas. Air H. E. Gott was appointed secretary. , , AI arshla nd. —Alessrs J. Fitzpatrick (chairman). G. Cox, J. Boloski, G. Oottermever, J. Alorris, J. Hannan and J. Percnski.

rPer Press Association.] NAPIER, April 26._ At meetings of householders at Napier South and Port Ahuriri to-night, the question of facilitating the giving of religious instruction by clergymen to school children was raised. The Port Almriri meeting was strongly against the proposal, and at Napier South a motion recommending it to the serious consideration of the new committee was lost by a narrow majority.