MOTUEKA SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Motueka Star, Volume X, Issue 793, 30 April 1909, Page 4

MOTUEKA SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

ANNUAL REPORT.

The following re’port was read by the Chairman, (Mr J S Wrat.U, at the meeting of householders last Monday evening

“In July 1908 the Committee, and community generally, suffered a severe loss in the death of the Chairman, Mr E A Knapp, who took a very keen interest in .educational matters in this district. Sympathetic references were made on all sides to' his death and a resolution of condolence was forwarded to Mrs Knapp in her sad bereavement: Mr J S Wratt was appointed chairman in place of Mr Knapp. “The personnel of the staff has undergone several changes during the year : Mr T A Harris, Head Master for six and a half years, resigned his position in June to enter the legal profession; His departure was a distinct loss to the school and district, his resignation being accepted with great regret. Miss Ingram, pupil teacher, resigned in May having received an appointment in the Nelson Town Schools! Miss McLean, also a pupil teacher, resigned in March. “Six applications were received for the position of Head Master. The names of Messrs T J Griffin and W H Boyes were forwarded to the Board with the result that Mr Griffin received the appointment. “During the temporary absence of a Head Master, the Board appointed Miss Hughes as Head Teacher and while the school was under her charge the annual examinations were held. The Inspectors’ reports, in spite of the changes in the staff’, were of a highly satisfactory nature, and the teachers are to be heartily congratulated upon the result.

“Mr J G Jordan acted as relieving assistant until the arrival of the new mastei, and Miss C Boundy was appointed pupil teacher from April Ist. “During the year Mr A A Hintz, Director of Technical Schools, interviewed the Committee respecting the establishment of an agricultural laboratoi y at Motueka in which lectures could be given for the benefit of residents in f ins and sui rounding districts. The laboratory will probably be established within the next few months, a contract having been let for the erection of a building on the present school ground. ‘ Shot tly after Mr Griffin took up his duties, he reported' that the attendance of pupils was, in some cases, shockingly irregular. In view of this the Committee appointed the Head Master Truant Officer and although no action has been taken up to the present to compel parents to comply with the provisions of ‘the School Attendance Act, it is hoped that in the future theie will be no cause for complaint in this direction. “At the beginning of the year your Committee found itself in ' financial difficulties chiefly through certain accounts not having been rendered for an indefinite period. The position was explained to the Education Board by the Chairman (Mr Wratt), and also by letter from the Secretary, with the result that a grant was made to liquidate most of the liabilities. Your Committee’s thanks are due to the Board for its assistance. It also became necessaiy during the year to apply to the Education Board for a grant for renovating the Master’s residence in Greenwood Street, The work cost £32 9s 3d and was oariied out ijj a most satisfactory ftianner hy the*contractor, Mr W Lane. “The annual school treat was held on Wednesday, December 23rd, and your Committee is again indebted to Mr W Liversey for the free use of his beautiful grounds. Also, to busi-

ness people and others for* contributions of money and gsweets for the children.

“Thanks are due to Mr | Duncan Brown for acting as unpaid auditor of the Committee’s accounts. “The credit balance at the Bank of New Zealand for the year ending March 31st, 1909, is £7 9s sd, but against this are amounts owing for sanitary rate and fuel for school use, amounting in all to £l2 10s. The. liabilities are, therefore, £5 is 7d* (Liabilities when Committee took office, approximately £20.)

“A conference of members of the School Committees of the Nelson District was held in the Boys’ Central School on Saturday, April 17th, to consider recent legislation by which School Committees have been deprived of all their powers in connection with the appointment and transfer or teachers, etc. Your Committee was represented at the conference and resolutions were carried protesting against the curtailment of Committees’ powers, and calling upon the Government to restore to the people, as represented by the Committees, the management of educational matters in each school district.”