HIGH SCHOOL GOVERNORS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume 9136, Issue 9136, 8 February 1910, Page 2

HIGH SCHOOL GOVERNORS.

ANNUAL MEETING,

The annual meeting of the High School Board of Governors was held last night. There were present:—Messrs Ruthorfurd (chairman), Stubbs, Park, Collingwood, Barnicoat, Hodder, Hirsch, and the Ven. Archdeacon Harper. The Rector of the School (Mr Vernon) was also present. An apology was received from Mr W. T. Wood.

REPORT AND BALANCE-SHEET. The annual report and balanco-sheet were read and adopted. The Chairman's report was. as follows:

The High School roll continues to increase. The year 1908 closed with s. roll number of 140. The school re-opened in February, 1909, with a roll number of 170, closing with 158. A satisfactory commencement has been made for the present year, the roll number to-day being no less than 181—up till now the high-water mark of the school. The excellence of the work done- by the Rector and his staff stiil continues, as is proved over and over again riot only by the splendid educational results, but also by the principles inculcated —a combination which cannot but result in the greatest good for the girls, and boys, who are fortunate enough to pais an important period of their life at the school. The examination results for the past year are as follows:—Passed Junior school examination with credit 2, matriculation 10, junior Civil Service 6, senior free place examination 17, gained Wanganui Education Board's scholarship 2. The number of pupils who aro re.maininf for more than one or two years continues to increase, and doubtless this is due to the recognition by the parents of the benefits derived by their children at the High School. There is, however, room for still further improvement in this direction.

The most important changes in the school work has been the carrying into effect of the Rector's proposal to have separate class rooms for girls and boys in the lower forms. As the roll increases it is to bo hoped that this change will be carried into effect throughout the school.

The boarding house erected by Mr Vernon (under agreement with the Board) has been opened and has proved a valuable adjunct of the school, the average number of boarders being 15. The Board should not lose sight of the fact that by Mr Vernon's efforts in this direction its revenue has been increased by about £150 per annum. Aftei the old woodwork room was vacated by the technical classes, alterations were affected, converting this room into •a gymnasium. Although the equipment of the gymnasiums has yet to be obtained the accommodation has been found most -useful and beneficial, as the boys have some place of shelter in the wet weather.

The old art room has been converted into a science room, and the room formerly used for science purposes has been converted into a class room. During the vacation the quadrangle has been renovated and now presents a creditable appearance. The now sewerage system has been completed at a cost of £200, a special grant being made by the Government for this work. All the alterations and improvements have given good results.

The- grounds are at present in very fine order, but I can see no alternative to re-draining the football ground—time has decidedly proved that the original pipe drains were laid at too great a depth, and accordingly have not given the best results. 1

The balance-sheet shows that the finances of the" High School are thoroughly sound, and there need be no apprehension of any shortage during the coming year either for salaries or maintenance. The

position of the High School account at the end of the financial year showed a balance of £102 9s 2d in the Bank and capitations on last year's work amount to £151 2s 6d to be received from the Education Department. This gratifying position is mainly due. in my opinion, to the wise provisions made by the Education Department by which adequate funds are now provided for unendowed Secondary Schools such as the one now under our control. During the past year the new Technical School buildings have been completed, and the classes removed from their various habitations to the new buildings. The total cost of the T<;chnical School site, buildings, and fittings has up to date been £7755, and of this amount £5598 was provided by special Government grants. The classes are increasing both in numbers and attendance. Caro should be taken that technical work proper be not put on one side for the more easily controlled, and from a financial point of view more profitable continuation classes, however desirable and necessary these' may be. The roll number of individual students increased from 315 in 1908 to 481 in 1909, the averago roll of weekly attendance being in the .latter year 585. The Director and teaching staff are keenly interested in the prosperity of the school, and the pupils themselves have contributed no little amount to the' success of the institution by their enthusiasm and regular attendance. There will be a deficit on the cost of land and buildings over the amount of

grants, contributions, and sulisidies of approximately £160. Surely some concentrated effort could be made to obtain a further contribution of £80, which, with the Government subsidy of £ for £, would put the finances of the technical department on a sound footing. The only change in the personnel of the Board during the year has been the appointment of Mr Hodder in place of Mr Bennett (resigned), and it is worthy of some note that with this exception all the Governors have held office since the inception of the Board. In conclusion I desire .to place on record my heartfelt thanks to my fellow Governors for their unfailing support and assistance during the two years' occupancy of the chair -of this important body, and I vacate the chair with an expression of thanks and goodwill to you all and to the principals and staffs of both schools."

Mr Collingwood expressed the -opinion that both the report and balance-sheet were very satisfactory. They had. of course, expected that the Technical School would show a deficit, but it had done remarkably well. Mr Park also expressed his pleasure at the very satisfactory state of all their funds. The Chairman . said that the general position was much better than last year. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The election of officers resulted as follows: —Chairman, Mr W. H. Collingwood - t treasurer, Mr Hirsch. Mr Collingwood proposed that Mr Rutherfurd should be re-elected chairman, and the proposition was supported by the Ven. Archdeacon Harper and Messrs Park and Barnicoat, who each spoke in eulogistic terms of Mr Rut herfurd's work on the Board. The latter, however, declined tQ accept offite, despite the pressure of his colleagues, whom he thanked for their appreciatory reference to his work.

The following committees were also appointed:—Ground Committee, Messrs Barnicoat, Park, Rutherfurd. Srabbs and the Chairman e.x officio; Finance Committee, Messrs Rutherfurd, Hirsch, Barnicoat and the Chairraan ex officio; Technical School Committee, Messrs Rutherfurd, Wood, Harper, Hoddcr, Hirsch, Stubba (Borough Council), and Voss_ (Kairanga C.C). These were the previous members of the committee and were left in office pending certain proposed alterations. In connection with the election of the Technical School Committee Mr Rutherfurd expressed the opinion that the, Borough Council, Kairanga County Council, Trades Union and the Chamber of Com-, mercc should be represented on the committee and that it should have clearly set powers. With their present equipment there was not any danger of any great expense being incurred, but at present the committee had not even power . to pay salaries. He considered that the old members of the committee should remain in office'for the time be-I

ing, pending the bringing down of a scheme for the specification of duties and powers of the committee. lie moved in that direction, and the motion was carried after the Chairman had been added to the old committee.

It was decided, on the motion of Mr Hirsch, that prior to next year's meeting copies <£ the balance-sheet should be circulated among members. Votes of thanks were accorded the Chairman and the Treasurer (Mr Collingwood) for services during the past year, and the annual meeting closed.

After the annual meeting the ordinary meeting of the Governors was held. Correspondence was received from the Education Department, stating that Mr W. T. Wood had been re-appointed to the Board, and from the same Department covering numerous grants for capitation, etc. —Received. The Wanganui Education Board wrote stating that Mr R. H. Anker had been appointed woodwork instructor. —Received.

The Rector reported that the school opened with an attendance of 171. The roll was now 181, boys 114. girls 67. There are 113 old pupils and 68 new ones. Misses Lynch and Arnott and Mr Anderson had taken up their duties. TECHNICAL SCHOOL. The Technical School Committee reported having met on the 4th inst. The resignation of Mr Ranson was accepted and Mr Howard Baker was appointed teacher of shorthand. Mr A. Billens was asked to reconsider his resignation as instructor in photography. A vote of thanks was accorded the Chamber of Commerce for a map of Canada. The Director reported that preparations were being made to run a mechanical engineering class this year, and thanks were accorded Messrs Stubby and S. Jickcll for valued assistance in outlining a course, and also in getting out an estimate of the machinery required, together with the cost. Suitable machinery could not be obtained in Wellington, and would have to be imported. It was also proposed to run ari electrical wireman's class if a good instructor could be obtained. Since the end of the year the results of the South Kensington examinations had been received and were very satisfactory. In the art section four candidates were presented and all passed; building and construction, 5 presented, 2 passed; magnetism and electricity. 2 presented, each passed; botany, 2 presented, 1 passed; agriculture. 5 presented, 3 passed; hygiene, 1 presented, 1 passed. The classes recommence on the 21st inst. at 7 o'clock. Routine business was transacted and 1 the meeting terminated.