ANNUAL EDUCATIONAL MEETING.

North Otago Times, Volume VII, Issue 173, 18 January 1867, Page 3

ANNUAL EDUCATIONAL MEETING.

Report made to Public Meeting of Inhabitants by Oanaaru District School Committee, 14th January, 1867. The Committee of the Oamaru District School hare now to present the usual Annual Report for the year ending this day. On taking office your Committee found themselves in a very diiferent position to that occupied by any previous Committee, in eonsequonoe of alterations in the Educational Ordinance taking away the power of assessment as a means of raising funds. They were therefore thrown entirely upon the benevolence of the inhabitants, for any deficiency. At an early period of tho year they therefore issued circulars and promissory notes, inviting aid, but, although widely circulated, very fexr were rereturned payable, the whole amounting to about L35 ; and although by subsequent efibrts a further sum has been raised, it has been done by great exer- j tion and personal canvass ; but your Committee ' have now great pleasure in reporting that, through ' the liberality of some frionds of education, and with j the assistance of a grant kindly given by His Worship the Mayor, they are now able to meet all their liabilities, as the accompanying balance-sheet will show. • Although by tho now regulations the demands on | the funds have not been so great as they were last I year, there has manifestly been considerable difficulty, j as was indeed anticipated, in raising even the smaller amount required. It will therefore be tho duty of the incoming Committee to give their most serious attention to the important question of finance. The Committee have to thank Mr Hislop for kindly giving a Lecture in April last in aid of the'funds, which however was not so successful in a ! pecuniary point of view as it deserved to be. I Considerable dissatisfaction having been expressed I at the state of tho school, your Committee gave very particular attention to the matter, and after last examination, Mr Paradise having resigned the mastership, his resignation was accepted. Advertise- ' nients were issued all over the Colony of New Zealaud and in Melbourne for a new Teacher* There were 10 appiicanls, and, after careful consideration, Mr Neil Fleming, of Diinedin, was selected j and from the verj high testimonials lie possessed and tho satisfactory results of his teaching in other places in the Colony, the Committee were prepared to anticipate the very marked improvement which has already taken place in the school since his appointment in October last ; as the following statistics will bIiow : — Number of scholars on the roll, 3rd quarter, 40 ; 4th quarter, 61 ; in attendance t 3rd quarter, 33 ; 4th quarter, 46. Prior to the resignation of tho late master, Mrs Scott, the assistant teacher, tendered her resignation in Llarch laat. The Committee advertised in the local and Dunedin papers for a female assistant teacher. Seven applications were received, and after careful consideration Miss Anderson was appointed, and has remained in that position ever since. Finding, however, so great a difficulty in raising funds, aud wishing to leave the incoming Committee unfettered, your Committee thought proper to give thi*ee months' notice to Miss Anderson, which notice was issued on 12th October last. It will therefore be the duty of the new Committee to consider this most important question, viz., the appointment of a female assistant teacher ; and whether it is possible to raise the necessary sum. The salary is at present L100 per annum, L75 of which is granted by tho General Board. ! Your Committee have much pleasure and satisfac» tion in referring to the statistics of last quarter, to find the school so much improved as to numbers and proficiency» The present quarter haa commenced with 46 boys, and 22 girls* An arrangement was made with tho late and present master to receive, in lieu of fixed salary from the Committeej the whole of tho School fees up to L25 per quarter, and to halve with the Committee any surplus. This will rolieve the Committee of liability on account of the master's salary, and with the improved attendance» leave a small sum towards the expenses of the school. A latin class has been authorised by the Committee at an additional fee of 7s. 6d. per quarter, and attention is being paid by Mr Fleming to instruction in vocal music with great success. The Committee have the satisfaction that the school buildings are now in good repair, but would recommend (should funds be forthcoming) the following improvements : — 1. Altering and adjusting desks. 2> Better provision for hatsj caps, cloaks, scrapers mats, &c. 3. Supplying and fixing a bell to announce school hours. 4. Filing in playground two rotatory swings. 5. Planting the ground with trees, thereby making the public school attractive and pleasant. Your Committee have now to resign into your hands the important trust with which they have been honored, with the hope that each year may see an advance and improvement in the educational advantages offered by the Oamaru District School.

In the recent Australian Inter-colonial rifle match, at Melbourne, Mr M'Clure, one of the competitors, made seven bulls eyes out of ten shots at 900 yards with a Whithworth Rifle, and Mr J. W. Fawcett, at 700 yardb, made nine consecutivo bulls eyes. At 800 yards, Mr J. Sharp, of Sydney, id his ten uhote, made oenties of the whole number.