Terrace End School Committee.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 6698, 17 May 1900, Page 4

Terrace End School Committee.

The monthly meating of the above | Committee was held last evening at the Hchool. Present —Messrs Scott (in the chair). Spicer, Oollis and Hall. The headmaster reported that a great amount of sickness had occurred during the past fortnight, preyenting high at« tendances. The bad weather of two days also reduced the attendances. Some twenty-six cases of measles have been reported and the low average has teen further reduced. The highest attendance this week was 150 and the lowest 128. The Inspector made bis annual inspection on the 26th April, but his report is not yet to hand. The visiting committee reported tbat they had visited the school and had found the attendence In a very unsatisfactory state. In one class of 70 puoite only 24 were present and the headmaster stated that there were from 25 no 30 cases of measles in the school district. Some windows and door handles required replacing. Several reports were received from the headmaster in reference to the decreasing attendance through illness. The headmaster was present and stated that there was no chance of getting the average op. . After considerable discussion it was decided that if the headmaster was not satisfied with the average attendance to day be should close the school until Monday, 28th. The Chairman 4nd Secretary were appointed to signrthe cheques as required

on his own behalf, anc^M^|^^^| sentati/e of the gallant garrison^Pi Ladysmith. From the very beginning he had taken a very serious view of the Natal situation, owing to the superior strength of the Boer forces, their great mobility, and strong geographical positions. He proceed to explain the reasons why he allowed the late General Sir W. Perm Symon3 to strike the first blow at the advancing enemy. The Boers then had overweening confidence, engendered by having been successful in some small engagements, like Majuba, aided, as they were, by a combination of fortuitous circumstances. This confidence, however, was very soon shattered by the brilliant victories of General Symons, and those of General French at Talana Hill and Elands Laagte. These engagements had shown the Boers that the British soldiers could push them from the strongest positions at the point of the bayonet, , despite their superior numbers. i War, however, General White I pointed out, was a game of ups and downs. He had decided on one effort to absolutely defeat the Boers at .Lombard's Kop, and he was only about to put it into execution when the unfortunate disaster at Nicholson's Nek occurred. Nicholson's Nek, he explained, was the only outlet through which his cavalry could go to conclude the task of the infantry. Everything depended upon the holding of that ' position. The plan failed, and he alone took the responsibility. He had afterwards decided to hold Ladysmith as a shield to protect the Colony, confident as he was that the "Great Sleepy Giant, John Bull," who they knew was behind them, would ultimately awaken, stretch out his arms, and rescue them.

Having warmly acknowledged the help of the Naval Brigade, Sir George White referred at some length to the defeat of the Boers on January 6. and specially eulogised the services rendered by Colonel lan Hamilton.

As an instance of the bravery of the troops on that historic occasion, he said that 16 soldiers of the Manchester Regiment held a position on that day, without any officers to guide and direct them, from three o'clock in the morning until nightfall. When the roll-call was taken after the enemy had been completely driven back, 14 of those brave men were found to have been killed, another was wounded and only one escaped unscathed.

Sir George gave, as another instance the gallantry of Sergeant Hope, of the Royal Artillery. As his battery was going into action he was struck by a shell, which carried away his arm and leg- As his helpless and almost lifeless body fell across the trail of the gun he urged his comrades to do their duty, and shouted to them. " Throw meHttt of the way, boys. Go on working the gun." i Sir George declared that General Joubert was a soldier and a gentlemari, and a biave and honorable opponent^! The Imperial Light Horse recruited in the colony was the finest fighting material that he had ever had under his command during his 50 years' experience as a soldier of the Queen. Sir Georgeconcluded a most interesting speech by expressing his thanks to the civil community of Ladysmith, who were as anxious as the military to hold up the grand old flag of England. A Eeuter's special telegram reports the conclusion of Sir George's speech as follows :—

"Amidst the general praise there must be some blame. One old lady behaved most shabbily, I had protected her all the time of the siege, but no sooner was she under the protection of General Buller than she gave me a very hot time, never allowing my temnerature to get under 103. I refer to ' Lady Smith.'

"England, that little dot on the map always comes out best in the end. That little England, the heart of the whole Umpire, so brave and strong, sent her life-blood into the furthest corner of the Empire, and appears before the world an unconquerable whole. The dark hours are past. I glory in being a lieutenant of Lord Roberts, who is England's greatest soldier, and and possesses the hearts of the whole nation."

The Droeeedings concluded with a groat ovation to air George White and Lord Roberts, and the singing of the National Anthem, including two special verses written by the Dean of Capetown.