NELSON SCHOOL SOCIETY.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XIV, Issue 105, 29 March 1856, Page 2

NELSON SCHOOL SOCIETY.

The twelfth annual general meeting of this society was held in the Nelson School-room, Bridge-street, on the evening of Monday, the 24th instant, the Rev. D. Dolamore in the chair ; when the following Report of the Committee wa3 read by Mr. Stanton, the Secretary :—

"The Committee, in retiring on the present occasion, have much satisfaction in reporting on the very favourable progress apparent in all the branches of the Society, and of its improved position generally, during the past year, and they feel a peculiar pleasure in the prospect of the schools respectively being found efficient on their being handed over to those to whom the charge of public education is to be committed during the present year.

" The accompanying statistics of the Society will show, besides a manifest advance in the old established branches, an addition of 92 children now receiving education from those new day schools recently established at Wakefield, River Terrace, and Appleby ; and in the appointments to the mastership of which, respectively, the Committee feel themselves fortunate in having been able to secure the services of gentlemen so highly qualified for the teachers' office. The Committee would further desire to express their perfect approbation of the conduct of all the other branches by the several teachers employed in the Sociaty — teachers generally worthy of being retained and promoted in the service of education.

Of the town school, which is more immediately under the notice of this (as the central) Committee, it may be statpd that from many and repeated class and school examinations, a progressive improvement has been marked;

and the Committee would bear testimony to the success of the arrangement under which the care of the school was committed to Messrs. Hawk and Ball, in August last.

On the first publication of tiie (prospective) Education Bill in January last, the Committee held a meeting for its consideration, on which occasion they passed the following resolution :—: —

"'The Committee rejoice to learn that a liberal and comprehensive scheme of public education will be proposed for adoption at the next meeting of the Provincial Council ; and believing that the social advancement of any community largely depends upon the Christian civilization of the entire people by the public school, be it resolved, therefore, that this Committee shall do all in its power to forward the passing of thj proposed measure, and in the event of its adoption, shall be prepared with the sanction of the trustees to enter into any proper arrangement, consistent with the terms and spirit of the Deed of our Society, for transferring the care and management of our schools to the Central Board of Education to be constituted under the provisions ox the proposed Education Act.'

"A deputation waited on his Honor the Superintendent with the resolution of the Committee, which was formally received. In the main principles of the bill, as it has been subsequently passed by the Provincial Council, the Committee cordially concur, as being identical with the principles of the Nelson School Society ; and they see no difficulty in the path to a satisfactory arrangement between the Central Board and the Society, which may assist the organization and tend much to the advancement of the public scheme of education.

" The Sunday Schools continue their usefulness : in every district wherein a day school is established, there is also provided the means of scriptural instruction on the Sunday. These schools have been found particularly important in country districts in which religious services have not been statedly held. The non-deno-minational system has been here effectively and successfully tried and carried out. The Committee hold these schools as primarily important, and trust that, in whatever change the Society may take part, the Sunday school will still be maintained in the position it has hitherto held.

" The Committee perceive that a sum has been liberally voted by the Council iist aid of the Society until the the Act shall be brought into operation in June next ; and with this assurance, the financial report will on the whole present a favourable appearance : the sum does not appear in this report.

"The Committee beg in this their report to acknowledge the Provincial Council's flattering vote of thanks to the Nelson School Society, and to add their testimonial to that of the Council to the untiring zeal and energy of Mr. Campbell, the founder of the Society, whose care and labour have indeed animated the Committee and brought the institution into its present favourable position.

"In conclusion, the Committee would for once advert to the great and important change that is about to take place in the educational history of the province, praying that as its influence may extend to future generations in their enlightenment and elevation or otherwise, the important charge of education may be still under the favour of that great and wise God whose guidance your Committee have at all times desired to acknowledge. "Nelson, 2Jth March, 1856."

The following resolutions were then agreed to:— 1. That the report now read be adopted, and that the Committee for the ensuing year be composed of His Honor the Superintendent, Dr. Richardson, Mr. Saxton, Mr. A. G. Jenkins, Mr. Gardner, Mr. M'Artney, Mr. Travers, Mr. M'Donald, Mr. R. Aiken, Mr. Griffin, Mr. Saunders, Rev. T. D. Nicholson, Rev. D. Dolamore, Rev. J. Warren, Mr. Campbell, Treasurer, Mr. Stanton, Secretary, Dr. Renwick.

2. That the thanks of this meeting are due to Mr. W. M. Stanton, for the valuable services rendered in the formation and promotion of this society, and especially for the able and efficient manner in which he has filled the office of Secretary.

S"el«on . Stoke . ippleby Elope . River Terrace Spring Grove Wakefield . Waimea Village Vlotupipi Day. . 81 . 25 . 30 . 22 . 30 . 52 . 22 . 17 . 17 Jivemng. 29 9 10 24 15 7 bunclay. 95 25 40 38 30 50 22 25 316 94. 325

Account, showing the Number of Children at present attending tub schools op the SoCIEiY: —