High School Board.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8071, 23 August 1905, Page 3

High School Board.

The adjourned monthly meeting of the High School Board was held last evening. In the absence of the Bey. C. C. Harper, Mr W. Rutherfurd was voted to the chair, There, were also present: - Messrs Collingwood, Park, Pirani, Barnicoat, Hirsch and the rector (Mr Vernon). Apologies for unavoidable absence were received from the Revs. Harper and Jolly, and Mr W. T. Wood, M.H.R. Leave of absence was granted these gentlemen.

CORRESPONDENCE

From the Education Department re payment of rates for attendances. The rate of payment was stated to be :— For attendance less than 5 weeks, no payment, for 5 weeks and less than 9 weeks, half" rate, for 9 weeks and over, full payment.—Received.

From Mr W. Gray thanking the Board for appointing him to conduct the examination at the High School. He promised to give all particulars required when he had made arrangements with his board re leave of absence.—Received.

From the ex-pupils' association asking for the use of the big hall and two rooms for social evenings.—Decided to grant permission for use of the room subject to the supervision of the Rector. (Messrs Collingwood and Pirani). The members of the Board expressed the opinion that this should be the last occasion on which the rooms should be granted for this purpose. From the. Treasury, informing the Board that a sum of £100 had been placed to the credit of the account of the Palmerston High School Board. The payment was an interim payment of capitation due on pupils admitted to.free places during the second term.

From the "Wellington School Commissioners, forwarding JEI9 Os 6d in payment for distribution of secondary education revenue.

From the caretaker of the school, asking for an increase in salary.— Decided that Mr Pike's services be dispensed with at the end of two months from date.. The question of appointing a new caretaker was left in the hands of Messrs Barnicoat, Pirani and Collingwood.

From the Education Department, forwarding notices re examinations and pamphlets re fifty years' progress. The latter was a statistical view of progress in New Zealand.-—Received.

Prom the same, re one free place that the Board is entitled to grant, and asking the conditions under which it is proposed to grant the same.

Mr Yernon said that they would not need to grant the place until the end of the year. It was decided to appoint Messrs Pirani and Vernon to draw up the regulations. (Messrs Collingwood— Barnicoat).

From the same, re the circular asked for and informing the Board that it is not for secondary schools.—Received.

MISCELLANEOUS,

Mr W. Rutherfurd brought down a suggested scheme of insurance on the buildings and furniture. The original insurance was £1600, but as the buildings and furniture were worth JQ24QO, be thought that .£I9OO would be a fair sum at which to re-insure. The furniture was valued at £425, and he proposed an insurance of £250 thereon. The total sum he recommended was JE2175. On the motion of Messrs Collingwood and Park, the insurance on the buildings and furniture was raised to £2175. The amount of the first premium, £9 17s 2d was also passed for "payment. On the motion of Messrs CollingwoodPirani, it was decided to write to the Borough Council, asking them to fill up the hollow at present existing on the Rangifcikei Street frontage of the school grounds. It was also decided to point out that the hole was originally made to supply metal to the Borough streets. Several members expressed the opinion that, as they wished to let the land, it would greatly add to its value if the hollow was filled up. The Eector reported that the school hadjbeen opened 40 half days during the month; number on the roll was now 162 ; the average attendances have been 156,152,152 and 154 respectively. The attendances were considered to be fairly good. A large number of small matters, referred to in the report, were relegated to the Ground Committee.

The Sector's term report stated that the roll number at the end of last term was 172. 6 had been admitted during the present term and the total roll was now 165 (boys 110, girls 55). The average attendance had been 154, which was about 94 per cent. He reported on tlie fact that a number of holders of free places had not made 80 per cent, of the possible attendance. He asked for a formal resolution of the Board as to whether they considered these attendances satisfactory. The motion was necessary if the Board wished to receive payment from tlie Department. On the motion of Messrs Barniceat— Park it was decided that the attendances of three scholars be considered satisfactory. That the attendance of another girl be considered satisfactory if the cause of absence be illness; also that the free places of three pupils be terminated.

The Board then adjourned till 5 p.m. on the second Tuesday in next month.