QUEENSTOWN DISTRICT SCHOOL.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 1000, 10 January 1877, Page 3

QUEENSTOWN DISTRICT SCHOOL.

Tbe statutory annual meeting of above School took place last Monday evening in tin- fechoolroora. Tbe attendance was larger than usual, and the proceedings were very orderly. Mr J. Campbell was elected to the chair, and explained the object of the meeting, namely, tu elect members of Committee for the current year, &c. He then called upon the lion, secretary, Mr J. S. Aldred. who read tbe report and balance sheet. In the report, the Committee offered congratulations upan having obtained the services of one of the most competent and efficient men as head master for the School. The Education Hoard had acted in the most liberal manner in assisting the Committee, by means of money grants, to carry out some very necessary "works in connection with the School and master s residence. They therefore had not the least hesitation in saying that the School was second to none in the province with regard to efficiency and accommodation. When the late master left, the standard of the School was low in every branch. The Committee, however, had cause for regret in having to accept the resignation of Mrs M'Nicoll as mistress, owing to ill-health from which time Miss M'Nicoll, in conjunction "with Miss Alloo (pupil teacher), had acted with every satisfaction to the Committee. The .Comalso wished to express their thanks to for his many small services in im--1 fmming the grounds, &c., of the School during ■ his arrival six or eight months ago. The Committee had laid out nearly £2OO during the past rear, besides paying off a number of outstanding accounts. The fallowing works had been carried eut: —Re-lining master's residence, construction of a new oven, dresser, windows, verandah, culvert. breastwork, levelling of grounds, erection of platform in School for desks, book press, table, repairing of chimneys, the procuring of two large iron water tanks, of a bell, a supply of diagrams, &o. The avenge attendance of scholars during Mr M'Nicoll's residence have ing the Committee (through their chairman, Mr J}. Boyne) wished to mention that, had it not been for the energy and perseverance displayed by one of their members, Mr J. Macdonald, in collecting snbscriptions, they would not have been enabled to lay before the meeting such a clear balauce sheet that eveniDg. The balance sheet for the past year showed the receipts to have been £233 4s 4d, and the expenditure £228 6s, leaving a credit balance in the bank of £4 IBs 4d. Mr Crofts said he was much more satisfied

this year than lie was last with the very 'ftburishing condition of the School. He was also glad to notice that the.jeport was not a cooked one, and that Committee had not cnly had the opportunity to obtain anew master but had also secured the services of such an excellent one. He had therefore great pleasure in proposing that the report and balance sheet, as rend, be adopted. Seconded by Mr C. B. Smith, and carried •unanimously. In proceeding with the election of a new Opmmittee it was resolved that the number be the same as last year (9) and that the voting be by ballot. Mr Crofta thought, as the late Committee had worked so well and so harmoniously, the meeting could not do better than to elect them again. It was resolved to proceed with the election la, the usual way. Eleven candidates were proposed, and the voting resulted in the election of the following:—Messrs G. M. Kos9, R. lioyne, ,T. Maedonald, J. S. Aldred, W. Geisow, J.

Campbell, F. Daniel, J. Rogers and P. Falck. It was proposed by Mr A. Clark, seconded by Mr Black, and carried unanimously—" That a Vote of thanks be given to Mr Maedonald for

lus exertions in collecting some £2O towards the School funds."

Mr Maedonald felt highly flattered for the compliment paid him, and it was possible he might again give some of the late contributors Another call. ,He intended to continue his labors, as he considered it was their duty to hfclp themselves as well as to ask Government for assistance. (Applause.) Mr Crofts thought it was not only their duty to recognise the exertions of the past Committee but as long as they continued to work as well as they had done during tne past six months, householders would have reason to be proud of their services. He therefore proposed a hearty rote of thanks to the retiring Committee. Seconded by Mr Geisow, and carried with acclamation.

Mr Rogers had very great pleasure in proposing a vote of thanks to the master, Mr M'Nicoll, and to the teachers, Misses M'Nicoll and Altoo. At one time, Tie remembered, it used to be a punishment to children having to attend the School, but now it seemed a pleasure fo them. He therefore thought great credit was due to those who were so directly concerned ia bringing about such a flattering result, which spoke volumes. Seconded by Mr A. Clark and carried unanimously. A rote of thanks to the chair closed the proeeedings.

A full meeting of Committee was held after abore. We believe the only business done was the appointment of Mr Maedonald as chairman and Mr Aldred as secretary. The days of ordinary meeting are to remain as hitherto, namely, the last Monday in each month.