ELECTION OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

North Otago Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2685, 25 January 1881, Page 2

ELECTION OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

The annual statutory meeting of householders for the purpose of electing a School Committee for the town of Oamaru was held in the High School last evening:. There was a large attendance, and Mr Neil Fleming presided. The Chairman read the notice convening the meeting together with the clauses of the Act relating to the business. The .Secretary read the report and balance «heet of the outgoing committee, 1 which have already appeared in our columns. Mr Procter then mored the adoption of the same, which was seconded by Mr J. T. Evans. Mr Shrimski expressed a desire to hear the report of the Inspector read, to give th.o public an opportunity of judging what progress had been made by the schools. He gave the committee credit for having done their best, and that they had not been lax in the fulfilment of their duties was made evident by the roll showing their attendance at meetings. There was, however, something radically wrong with the schools, not only here but throughout the colony. They were endeavoring to cram the scholars with highclass iubjeots, and were neglecting the more eutntial branches. He alluded par* '

ticolarly to the teaching of manners, of which there appeared to be an entire ignorance amongst the boys. Like the diamond which required the skill of the lapidist to give it a polish and exhibit its merits, ao with the scholar;; unless- taught to be good mannered, he would never shine in the world. He deplored the absence of thia virtue from amongst the majority of boys in the community, for educated liirrikinism vras the worst kind of larrikiniam. He also objected to the higher branches, such as Latin, Greek, and Euclid being taught until the scholar was thoroughly educated in his own language and the more necessary subjecta of elementary knowledge. Many of the teachers did not possess the qualifications to fill the positions to which they had been elevated, not that he blamed the committee for this, because they were powerless, and had nothing to do with the appointing of teachers. He did not wish to give offence, but spoke for what he conceived was the benefit of the community, parents and children more especially. The motion was then put and carried. Mr Hislop said he noticed an absence from the report of any expression of the committee as to the progress ma<le in the schools during the year. In former reports such a statement was general, and he wished to know why it had not been adhered to. The Oh'aiaman explained that the committee had no more power of knowing than the public had. They had been told by the Education Board that it was not their business to examine the schools, although he differed with that opinion. Mr Erans moved " That it be a recommendation to the incoming committee that the midsummer holidays shall not exceed one month." He considered six weeks holidays too long. There were about twelve hundred scholars upon the rolls of the various schools in the district, and about one-tenth of their time was taken up in holidays. They were mostly resident in the place and there was nothing to relieve the tedium, so that they were likely to contract loose habits. Were their houses situated a long distance off, or were their means of pastime such as in the old country he would not objoct, but under existing circumstances long holidays were unnecessary and unwho^ >> nc. Mr Church seconded the motion. Mr Bee and Mr Mollison thought* it had better be left to the committee. The Rev. Mr Todd coincided with the last proposition. He thought six weeks holidays were short enough, as teachers found their health affected by sedentary employment, and it was a mistaken policy to reduce the period of vacation. The motion on being put was carried. Mr Evans moved — " That it be a recommendation from this meeting to the incoming committee that it is desirable that the work of all standards using exercise books in all our schools be so arranged that the work done during school hours be registered as the home work. " They often heard that school Hours were not always profitably occupied and there was nothing left upon their registers to show the amount of work done in school. Mr Shrimski said this was not a matter for the committee to deal with ; it was outside their -jurisdiction altogether. They were bound by certain regulations by the Education Board. The Chairman and others expressed ignorance as to what the motion meant, but as there was no seconder it lapsed. Mr D. Booth asked, with regard to the appointment of Mr Gifford as a teacher, whether his testimonials and recommendations were the best sent in. The Chairman replied that they were perfectly satisfactory. The Rev. Mr Todd proposed a vote of thanks to the outgoing committee, who had discharged their duties well. They had attended the meetings regularly, and expressed approval at the arrangement they had made for the opening of the South School. Mr Shrimski seconded the motion, which was carried. The Chairman in returning thank said the Committee had worked together harmoniously ; there had been no bickering, and they had tried to raise the standards of the schools as far as was in their power. The motion was carried unanimously. The election of the new committee was then proceeded with, the Rev. Mr Todd and Mr Shrimski being appointed scrutineers. There were fourteen nominated, the following seven having elected : Messrs Fleming, Forrester, Procter, Stevenson, J. Bee, Montagu, and J. Locke. The Chairman briefly returned thanks. It was resolved that provided the committee have the power the sura of LlO be recommended to them to hand to Sergeant Major M'Pherson for his services as drill-master. The committee was authorised to make such arrangements as they thought advisable for the removing of an embankment near the now South School, A vote of thanks to the chairman concluded the proceedings.