SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17665, 18 December 1917, Page 3

SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

The West Christchurch District High School Committee met on Wednesday; present—Dr Chi,ton (chairman), the Bov F. Bulo and Messrs W. B. Buhitude, J. Middleton, H. S. Whit hail. W. Hobson and G. Barroll, Before beginning tho business the chairman roferred to tho de'atk of Sir Charles C. Bowen, and a resolution was passed by the committee expressive of its appreciation of his services to tho Dominion An enlarged photograph of the lato Mr W. B. Rule has been given to tho school by the Bov F. Rule and Mrs Rule, and it was decided to unveil it in the presence of tho pitpilo during tho next week. A letter was received from ihe Christchurch Amateur Swimming Club requesting the use of tho school ba,.h during certain hours. With some modification tho request was granted. It was agreed to make up a list of nocossary repairs which should be effected during tho holiday* and submit it to tho Board of Education. Tho head master reported that the average attendance in tho primary school had improved, whilst that in tho secondary department was not so good, many of tho boys being required by their fathers to assist in farm work. Tho number on the roll in tho primary department was 373 boys and 333 girls and ’ho average attendance 3-19.3 and 303.1 respectively. In tho secondary department tho roll number was 118 boys and 85. girls, with an average attendance of 1-13.4 and 75. It was decided to hold tho breaking-up ceremony, as tar as tho senior classes are concerned, in St Andrew’s Hall again, the hall having been secured through tho good offices of the Rev F. Rule. It was stated that tho children had contributed £1 7s 2d to tho Lady Liverpool Fund to buy material to bo made up into articles. Tho. primary cricket team had won tho cricket competition. At a meeting of tho Papanui School Committee Messrs Patrick (chairman), Smith, Pye, Pryko, Mulholland, Gibbs and Witherington were present. Mr Wood was elected to the vacancy on tho committee and took his seat. The school master re-

ported tho roll number to bo 292, and the average attendance 259. The sum of £G was set aside for the purchase of school rjrizes. It was reported that the following had donated prizes for special subjects: Messrs Church, Mulholland, Pye, Wood, Patrick, Pryke, Smith, Gibbs and Witherington. The school would break up on December 20 instant, and would reopen on Monday, January 28, 1918. Accounts to tho amount of £3 0s fid were nassed for payment. Messrs Pryke and Wood were appointed a Visiting Commit; ee for the Main School, and Mr Patrick for tho Bligh's Road School. The monthly mooting of tho Sumner School Committee was held on Wednesday night, Mr D. Lumsden presiding. It was decided to hold the prize giving ceremony on December 22, in conjunction with a special picture entertainment in aid of school funds,- and that tho Mayor, the Hon J. Barr, should be asked to present the prizes. Tho headmaster's report stated that the roil was 270, with an average of cided to hold the school picnic on the second Wednesday in Fobruary, at the New Brighton Racecourse Tho inspector's reports for tho year wore reviewed, and a resolution congratulating the staff on l.hu highly palisfactory result was carried. It was decided to call tho Board of Education's attention again to the urgent need for p. head master's and teacher's room. It was resolved to close for the usual holidays on December 20.

At a meeting of th» Ashburton Borough School Committee Mr W.. Cf. Hillier, tho chairman, reported a credit balance of 17s (id. The use of Iho Alionton ' School was granted to the Presbyterian Church to hold a serrico every Sunday evening. Tho chairman reported that tlie calling of tenders for tho now school had been stopped, and it was decided to writo to the Education Board protesting against tho delay. Ilia head master reported I hat tho average attendance at tho Borough School for the month was 407, and at the Aileutou Side School 146. The present roll numbers were 4JI and 150 respectively. Tho head master recommended that the school should break up for tho Christmas holidays on December 20, and that tho ceremony should take tho 6ame form as Inst year, certificates to bo given in lieu cf prizes, and that the sum of Xo—the approxiir e value of tho prizes—bo donated to tho ived Cro3s Fund. Tho recommendation was approved. Tho monthly meeting- of the Beckenham School Committee was hold on Thursday; present—Mossrs W, W. Charters (chairman), MAlister, Papprill, Boon, (Jab, Fan-ant, Bullon and t'arlislo (s?croiary). Tho Works Cornuiitteo reporied tho grounds to bo in excellent condition, the gardens being moat attractive, which reflected great credit on tho head master (Mr Maxwell), luaff and children. Mr M'Alister, having donated various prizes for tho best kept and best utility gardens, arrangements wero made for tho gardens to bo judged before breaking up. Tho broak-iug-up ceremony will t«ko place on Thursday, December 20, when certificates will bo presented to the children. "Or Thackcr, M.i\, and Mr H. O. EJI, M.P., have been asked to address tho parents. Initial arrangements were made to hold tho annual school picnic as scon oe the school assembles ill the new year.

Tho Addinglon -School Committee met on Tuesday evening; present—Mr W. R. Cahagtm (chairman), Mrs Merry and Messrs \V. G. Burns, T. Candy, J. Spillcr, AY. Downin'"- and M. Woodtiold. The report of tho delegates at the recent conference on educational matters in the Addington, Somerfiold and ■Sprcydon districts was received, and a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to them. The board thanked the committee for the interest it was taking in educational matters affecting the abovo districts, and forwarded tho opinion of tho board's solicitors regarding corridor teaching. It was decided to thank tho batol for having met the several committees in conference and for tho information supplied. The question of responsibility i' l connection with school baths had been "raised and a letter had been sent to the" board asking it to obtain legal odvico as to the responsibility in the ease of accident when the bath was open to the public or school children, lhe board had acknowlcdscd tho letter, and asked for information on several matters, as bath control was an important factor during the summer months. Messrs Burns and Johnson were authorised to supply ull necessary information to the beard. The reports of the Visiting, Bath and Grounds Committees wero received. The delegates U> * u e School

Committees' Association made a lengthy report on the proposals submitted by tho Addingion committee to the association in reference to supplying books to necessitous children, boarding out children and increasing tho ago limit of the latter and other matters, and stated that representations would bo made to tho Government on tho subject through the board. Tho head master's report was very satisfactory. Tho presentation of prizes and certificates will take place on Thursday afternoon.