QUEENSTOWN SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 1055, 14 February 1878, Page 2

QUEENSTOWN SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

The first meeting of the new Board was held at the school-house on the Ist instant. All the members attended.

Mr J. 0. M'Ardell was elected chairman, aud Mr J. S. Aldred, secretary aud treasurer. Mr M'Ardell thanked them for the honor conferred upon him and would endeavor to earn* out the duties of the office to the best of his ability, and trusted that the inteiests of the school would not suffer in his hands. He was glad to have in the Committee a member of the legal profession. Mr Finn would be happy to render any aid he could in the carrying out of the Committee's duties.

Mr Ross thought that as the Act was a change from the old system, and they might have to encounter some legal difficulties they had better appoint a solicitor. He would moTe the appointment of Mr Finn in that capacity. Seconded by Mr Daniel and carried. Mr Finn previously agreed to render what assistance he could. He thanked them for the appointment aud would make no charges for any duties he had to perforin, but of course this would not extend to costs out of pocket. Correspondence was read. Messrs M'Hutchinson (schoolmaster, Arrow), and M'Cracken (Arrow), wrote giving their consent to be nominated for the Southland District Board. Messrs M'Ardell and Finn also handed in similar documents. The Chairman pointed out that it was very J desirable that they should exercise something like unanimity and endeavor to secure the cooperation of the School Committees of the district. By this means they might succeed in returning one member at least upon the Board. After some general conversation as to whether Messrs M'Hutchinsou and M'Cracken both intended to stand, <fcc., it was proposed by Mr Finn, seconded by Mr Daniel aud carried—That Mr M'Ardell l>e one of the members nominated by this Committee. Mr Aldred thought if they elected Mr M'Cracken as the other member they would do away with any jealousy of feeling. Mr Boult begged to propose that Mr Finn be the other member member nominated. Seconded by Mr M'Ardell and carried. The Chairman said that he had just received two letters, but it was ruled that any new nominations were too late.

After some discussion it was decided to carry out the provisions of clauses 83 to 87 inclusive.

Clauses 89 to 95 being the compulsory ones led to considerable discussion.

Mr Finn had not had time te consider the Act fully and was not prepared to rush on in the adoption of tills part of it. He was not. however, opposed to compulsory education but would like to tirst master the effect of the clauses bearing upon this point. During some conversation attention was drawn to the fact that all donations, subscriptions, *tc., Became the proj»erty of the Board, and are by it again redistributed.

Mr Bouit favored the view that it was desirable to take time to look into the Act Nevertheless it was their duty to get the best attendance they could to secure the capitation allowance, and in the end the clauses would no doubt have to be adopted. It was too long to wait till next meeting. The Chairman suggested a special meeting. Mr lioss believed that the public were in favor of having the Act adopted as a whole and properly carried out. He saw no reason for hot adopting the Act as the system had worked well in Victoria.

-Mr Finn repeated his previous remarks. He was lint inclined to favor any particular section of the community. He wished to satisfy himself about the Act. Mr Ross said to test the Committee he would move that the compulsory clauses of the Act be adopted. Mr Betts, in seconding the motion, did not see that any pood would be gained by beating about the bush. Ail no doubt had long ago made up their minds which way they would Act.

Mr Finn proposed and Mr Boult seconded an amendment that the consideration of the subject be adjourned to the 9th instant There voted for the adoption of the clauses Messrs Ross. Betts, Aldred, end Daniel; for adjournment of the debate, Messrs Finn, Boult and M'Ardell. The adoption of the clauses was therefore declared carried.

The Chairman said that, though he had voted for tne adjournment, he had not voted against the principle of adopting the clauses. He was, in fact, favorable to the adoption of the principle by the Committee. Mr Finu was also in favor of compulsory edncatinn, but he would not bind himself to say he Wiis in favor of it in the way the Act prescribed because he had uot been able to look into it properly. The Chairman said that they must now decide what steps they would adopt to carry out the Act.

Mr Finn thought that the school master should sendin a roll of the names of all those attending school, and that notice should be sent to all parents and guardians of children. He would move accordingly. Seconded by Mr Aldred and carried. Mr Boult considered it highly desirable that the Committee should have before them some information as to the working capabilities of M the school. He would move —That the -schoolmaster furnish a return of the subjects taught so as to ascertain if they comprised the tuition provided for by section 84 of the Act; the classes ; the names of those attending them ; the subjects taught each class ; the names and qualifications of the teachers; and the salary paid them. Mr Daniel thought that this was very necessary information to have btfore them and would second the motion which was carried. Mr Ross moved that the schoolmaster's attention be called to clause 87 (cleanliness of pupils) and that he be requested to strictly enforce the same. Seconded by Mr Finn and carried. The question of salaries to be paid in future was left over until the District Board was elected as they would have the power of fixing same. It was ordered that the subject taught in the school, as required by the Act, be posted up; and that a board and some other things required be obtained.

It being imperative to teach drill a discussion took place as to how this was to be accomplished in the absence of any provision for the payment of an instructor. It was suggested that the subject be left over until the district Hoard met, but it was thought by the majority of members that this would entail too long a delay, snd the Act itself being mandatory it might mititate against the school at its next examination if this branch had not been taught. Finally, Mr Aldred said he would act as drill instructor in the meantime, and give two days drill a week. The offer was accepted with thanks.

It was resolved, on the motion of Mesa* Betts and Boult—That the services of the drillinstructor of the local Volunteer Corps be obtained if possible, and that a recommendation to this effect be made to the District Board. Some routine business was then transacted,

including an order for the completion of a time table so that the children of each class might know the hour they would have to attend to given lessons, &c. Messrs Betts and M'Ardell were elected a visiting Committee for the month. It was further decided to advertise the fact that the compulsory clauses of the Act had been adopted, and to send notices to parents and guardians of children not attending the school that they would be required to procure certificates of exemption from the Committee for snch non-attendance. The proceedings closed with a vote of thanks to the chair.