HIGH SCHOOL BOARD.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8711, 27 October 1908, Page 3

HIGH SCHOOL BOARD.

The ordinary montlilv meeting of the above Board was held last evening. Present —Mr W. Rutherfurd (in the chair), Revs. I. Jolly and C. G. Harper, Messrs W. Park, J. L. Barnicoat, G. Hirsch, Gr. H. Bennett, W. H. Collingwood and J. E. Vernon. It was decided, on the motion of Mr Hirsch, seconded by Mr Barnicoat, "That the services of Mr A. J. Cross, who is temporarily taking Mr Foote's place, be retained till the end of December."

Correspondence was received from the Education Department; and also copies of amended legislation affecting education dealt with during the last session.

Mr Vernon pointed out that under the amended Education Act the amount of money available' for spending on the school would be considerably increased. - Miss Hood-Williams wrote resigning her position as shorthand and type-writing teacher to the Technical School.—Accepted with regret and a testimonial to be given.

The Borough Council wrote offering the use of their roller on the usual terms.

The Rector reported that the staff had been regular and punctual in their duties. Two pupils had left during the term, and the roll now stood at 89 boys and 49 girls, the weekly averages.being 138, 13-5, 134, 131, and 134. All fees except one had been paid. A sum of £15 was allocated for the purchase of prizes for the High School, and £4 4s from the Manson bequest fund for dux medals. THE TECHNICAL SCHOOL. The Technical Director reported that. for the second term the total number in classes was 466. The total number of individual students was 315, and the average roll for the two terms was 456. The roll number for the present term was 360, a large increase on the best term of the previous year. The average roll for the year will be about 420, as against 235 for the two terms of 1907. The elocution class this term was being conducted by the Rev. D. Hird, M.A., owing to the absence of Rev. J. J. Lews. A sum of £19 2s was received from t.::e promoters of the elocution The classes earned £73 4s lid in capitation for the second term.

Mr Park moved a vote of appreciation to the director, Mr F. D. Opi?, for the splendid manner in which he had worked for the school .and the success attending his efforts. _ He considered they had been especially fortunate in their choice of a director.

I, Mr G.- 11. Bennett- seconded the raoj'tion, which was carried, the members generally expressing their admiration j for Mi* Opie's ability and energy. | It was decided to place the director i on the same, footing as the members ! of the permanent staff in the Board's I service.

The chairman reported that the In-spector-General of Schools, Mr G. Hogben, hacl visited the Palmerston Technical School, and ' had been thoroughly satisfied with its progress. The plans of the new building had been sent to the Government and application lodged for a; grant.