ELECTION OF SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9036, 24 April 1888, Page 6

ELECTION OF SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

AUCKLAND CITY. The annual meeting of the householders of the Auckland educational district, convened for the election of a school committee, etc., was held yesterday evening at St. James , Hall. Mr. D. Goldie, M.H.R., presided, and there was a large attendance. The annual report, weich has appeared in the Herald, was read by Mr. W. Gorrie, the chairman of the City Schools Committee. Mr. W. Duncan moved the adoption of the report. Mr. Gordon moved that the report be considered clause by clause, and some discussion ensued. Tho amendment was eventually put to the meeting, and was carried by a largo majority, but many of those present didnotseem to understand the purport of Mr. Gordon's motion, and it was again put and carried, by only a majority of one. Mr. Gorrie explained the views of the committee in respeot to the proposed reduction of the staff of teachers in the schools, and said that the committee were of opinion that the district waa already aufliciently crippled by having a staff of teachers at less expense than in any other city in the colony. The Chairman considered that the true friends of education were those who would work the system as economically as possible, he did not agree with tho City Schools and Committee in the stand they had taken on this question, since he did not think the salaries of the teachers should be reduced. (Applause.) Mr. Goldie spoko at < some length, contrasting the relative positions of Auckland and Otago in respect to education, and said he considered the efficiency of the schools in the Auckland district would not be impaired were the staff of teachers reduced to tie limits of the scale. Mr. Blades moved, " That the meeting endorse the stand taken by the City Schools Committee upon this question." Were the proposed reduction in the staff of teachers effected, the country would benefit at the expense of the town. Mr. E. Carr seconded the motion. Messrs. R. Farrell, W. Oowther, and Gorrie, and the Chairman also spoke, and Mr. Blades' motion was carried. Mr. John Gordon moved, " That the number of school holidays as at present given by the Board be not curtailed." He believed that many of tho parents in asking for the curtailment of tho holidays were actuated by selfishness, in wishing that the charge of the children should be taken by somebody else—the teachers. (Great interruption.) The holidays were given at the hottest season of the year, when the frames of the younger children could not bear up with the work of the school. Mr. Gordon s motion was lost, and the sugof the committee —that the holidays Be shortened —was approved of. On the motion of Mr. Gordon, it was resolved, ' • That this meeting is strongly of opinion that the committee should uphold the action of the headmasters when they deem it necessary to inflict corporal punishment in maintaining discipline in their schools." The following gentlemen were nominated as members of the committee:—Messrs. R. Farrell, W. Gome, T. Ussher, R. Batty, W. H. Smith, J. Blades, Dr. Walker, Wm. Crowther, Charles McMaaters, H. G. Wade, W. Leys, John Gordon, and J. M. McLachlan. A ballot was taken, Messrs. J. Wiseman and J. C. Morrin being appointed scrutineers. The counting of tne votes occupied nearly an hour, and the result was then declared to be as follows :—Farrell, 273 ; Crowther, 144 ; Uesher, 130 ; Gorrie, 12S ; Blades, 118 ; Walker, 117 ; McMasters, 105 ; Batty, 104 ; Smith, SO; Wade, 21 ; Leys, 17 ; Gordon, 13 ; McLachlan, 4. The first-named seven were therefore declared elected.

POXSOSBT. The annual meeting of householders to elect a school committee took place last evening. There was a large attendance of householders, the room in which the meeting waa held being inconveniently crowded. Mr. A. E. Devore presided. The secretary, Mr. G. Plummer, read the annual report and statement of accounts. In the report the committee express their high appreciation of the services of the head teacher, Mr. Bailey. They state their conviction that the relations between the Board of Education and the committee are unsatisfactory. Dr. Richardson's Temperance Lesson Book is now used by the 6fth and sixth standard pupils, and trust that there may be good results from the lessons therein contained. Thanks are given to the Scripture Gift Association for 40 interesting books for the school library. The buildings are now ia a good state of repair, and repainted by the Board of Education, the committee contributing £40 7s. The committee suggest the great need that exists for a technical department in connection with the central school, and trust that the means may soon be found for such a useful adjunct, so as to equip the scholars in school life to earn a livelihood and fight the battle of life. The income of the year was £227 3s, and the expenditure £174 13s Id, leaving a balance in bank of £52 9s lid. The chairman moved the adoption of the report and mlance-sheet. The motion was seconded >y Mr. Banbury and carried. The follown<* were elected members of the committee or the ensuinsr year:—Messrs. A. E. Bloomfield, 79; A. E. Devore, 72; A. O. Knight, 62; G. Plummer, 65; C. S. Wright, 55; W. J. Speight, 54; E. Cooper, 43. On the motion of the chairman, three resolutions were carried after some discussion :—(1) That summer school holidays be shortened; (2) that children be not admitted to public schools over 15 years of age; (3) or allowed to continue there after attaining the sixth standard. A vote of thanks was aocorded to the outgoing committee —Messrs. Devore, Gittos, Plummer, Knight, Speight, Cooper, and Herbert. NEWTON. The annual meeting of the householders of the Newton school district was held last evening in St. George's Hall. There was a large attendance, the hall being well filled. Mr. F. Cherry was voted to the chair. The minutes of the last meeting were read by the secretary of the committee, Mr. Brooking, and confirmed. The annual report of the committee was read. It stated in regard to the Newton East school, that tbe school was still managed with success by Rev. Mr. Coates and nis staff. The number of children on the roll was 863 (470 boys and 393 girls) with an average attendance of 710 (392 boys and 318 girls.) During the year two scholarships were obtained by pupils of the school, and Professor Thomas' prize for natural history open to competition by echolars of the city and suburban schools, waa carried off by a Newton East boy, while two others also secured prizes. The school waa also successful in three pupils obtaining the privileges of free tuition in higher education at the Grammar School, while out of five prizes given by Mr. Robinson for drawing the pupils of the two Newton schools won three. The inspector's report on the last standard examination showed that very eatuifactory work had been accomplished, 88 p3r cent, of the pupils examined having passed, and that the discipline of the school was excellent. Mr. O'Sullivan, Chief Inspector, had also reported favourably of the conduct of the school at a surprise visit paid by him. Of the Newton West school, the report stated that it was managed with ability and increased success by Mr. J. C. Dickenson and staff. The number of children on the roll was 531, with an average daily attendance of 462. In regard to competitions with pupils of the other schools, two scholars of Newton West had gained Foundation Scholarships, one had taken one of Professor Thomaa , prizes in Natural Hietory, and another a prize for drawing. The percentage of passes at the standard examination was 77 per cent., and Messrs. Fidler and O'Sullivan, the Inspectors, had expressed themselves well pleased with the management and progress of the school. In regard to the Free Night School recently established by the Board of Education, there were 319 pupils on the roll, with an average attendance of 150. The report referred to the petition presented to the Board of Education in February last, praying for the subdivision of the school district into two portions, upon which the Board had deferred action until after the meeting, jjj., \y, J. McDermott moved, and Mr. Wilson seconded, the adoption of the report as read. Several householders asked questiona on minor points, and the motion was then put, and carried without dissent. The Chairman then drew tbe attention of the meeting to the petition presented in February last,, asking the Board to divide the district into east and west sections, and invited expressions of opinion upon the matter. In reply to the request, Mr. J. Jnnkin, Chairman of Committee, stated that the petition had been goli up by the householders, and the Board bad referred it to

the committee, who had approved of it, oa likely to be more economically worked than the present system. Messrs. Wilcock, Boyd, Rout, Morrison, and others also spoke on the subject. Mr. McDermott moved, and Mr. Johnson seconded, " That the meeting urge th&t the district be subdivided as mentioned in the petition." Mr. Sargeson then moved, as an amendment, "That the question be deferred for twelve months," and Mr. Jordan seconded. The petition, which has already been published was then read. A show of hands was taken for the amendment and the motion, and the chairman declared the former carried. The election of the new commitee was then proceeded with. There were twenty - three persons nominated, of whom eight declined to stand. Ballot papers were distributed, and the following seven gentlemen securing the highest number of votes were declared duly elected: Messrs. T. L. Wilcock, J. Jenkin, K. Boyd, J. M. White, T. McMaster, C. B. King, and T. Hobson. A vote of thanks to the chairman closed the proceedings. The newly-elected committee then held a meeting, and Mr. T. L. Wilcock was chosen chairman, Mr. J. Jenkin treasurer. The committee decided to bank at tho Bank of New Zealand. Mr. S. Brooking was aeked to act as secretary till the next meeting. GRAFTON ROAD. The annual meeting of householders of Grafton district was held last night in the public school. Mr. E. Hammond was called to the chair, and opened the proceedings. The secretary, Mr. J. W. Boone, read the annual report. It stated that the school was in a flourishing condition, the average attendance during the year having advanced from 435 to 481 1. A table compiled from the reports furnished by the head toaoher showed the number on tho rolls, and also on the strict average attendance for each quarter of the year. The results were : June quarter, roll 684, average 412 ; September quarter, roll 577, average 450; December quarter, roll 570, average 478 ; March quarter, roll 599, average 485. Tho committee had much pleasure in testifying to the efficiency of the headmaster, Mr. Healy, and the assistants and pupil teachers, and referred to tho cordiality which had existed between the teachers. At the annual examination the whole of the sixth and second standards passed, and nearly all tho fourth, but the third was not so successful. This was accounted for by change of teachers. All tho lower classes wero also very successful, and Inspector Fid lor reported that real good work was being done at the school. The committee, after repeated efforts, got the Board to lay on the city water and level a portion of the ground. All accounts were paid up to date, and there was a credit balance of £35 9s 10d to hand over to their successors. The report also referred to the success of the midsummer sports got up by the children, and the concert in aid of the library, which was very successful, financially and otherwise. A grant of £5 worth of books was added to the library, and there was another grant due, which the incoming committee would need to apply for. On the motion of Mr. Reid, seconded by Mr. Robertson, tho report was adopted. On tho motion of Mr. Reid, seconded by Mr. Bowden, a vote of thanks was accorded to the outgoing committee and Mr. Robertson, one of the committee, in returning thanks, referred to the good work done by Mr. Healy arid tho teaching staff. The next business was the election of a committee. Messrs. E. Hammond, J. W. Hewson, C. Lavers, J. W. Boone, James Young, John Robertson, and John Birnie were proposed. Several others were proposed, but declined to stand, and the above-named gentlemen were declared elected. Mr. Reid suggested that the incoming committee should move in the direction of obtaining scoria for the playground. The U3ual votes of thanks were accorded, and the meeting terminated. PARNELL. A meeting of householders at Parnell was held last evening, for the purpose of hearing the report of the out-going committee, and to elect a committee for the ensuing year. Mr. Caleb Wood was called to the chair. The committee's report was read, and the discussion, on tho whole, was favourable. The head-master's report spoke very favourably of the progress of the pupil teachers and the efficiency of his teaching staff. During the discussion several parents spoke strongly against the practice of pupil teachers using the cane on trivial and insufficient grounds, and requested the matter be again laid beforo the headmaster, with a view to its discontinuance, The number of children attending school was 290 boys, 291 girls ; total, 581 ; average, 250 boys, 247 girls : total, 497. Percentage of passes, 78 ; of failures, 22 ; and except in Standard 3, the Inspector's report was favourable. There was a balance in hand of £24 17s Id. A concert in aid of the Library funds resulted in a net profit of over £10. The thanka of the committee were accorded to Mr. C. C. Smith, to whom all the credit was due for the above result, coupled with the name of Miss A3hley. The houeeholders then elected the following committee : —Messrs. Schofield, Speight, C. Smith, Cozens, Wood, Kary, and Keetley. The only liability outstanding was the water account, and the householders passed a resolution that the Borough Council should only charge for the amount of water consumed at cost price. The new committee then eat, and elected Mr. Caleb Wood chairman, and Mr. Keetley secretary and treasurer. The chairman and secretary were appointed to sign cheques. NEWMARKET. Yesterday evening the householders of the Newmarket educational district held their annual meeting at the schcolhouse, Mr. Hogg presiding. There was a large attendance. The secretary (Mr. Jury) read the headmaster's report, which showed that the school had made excellent progress, notwithstanding that several families had left the district. The average attendance was nearly 260. The report was adopted. The committee submitted their usual report, and acknowledged the liberality of the principal of the ParnellGrammarSchool(Mr. H. Percival) in providing free tuition in the higher branches of education in that scholastic institution to two pupils. This report was also adopted. The statement of receipts showed a credit-balance of over £10. The following gentlemen were elected as a committee for the ensuing year, viz.:— Messrs. Clarke, Burke, Naylon, Kent, Jenkins, Jury, and Whyman. Mr. Jenkins was appointed chairman.

EPSOM. The annual meeting of the householders of Epsom for the election of a school committee was held at the public school last night. Mr. Robert Hall, chairman of the One-tree Hill Road Board, waa called to the chair. The annual report was read and was highly satisfactory, as was also the head teachers' report. The chairman, in moving the adoption of the report, heartily congratulated the district on the state of the school, and on the necessary enlargement of the building which had lately been made. The report was unanimously adopted. Eleven candidates were proposed for the office of school committeemen, and Mr. W. Gardner and Mr. F. La wry, M.H.R., were appointed scrutineers. The result of the ballot was, that Messrs. George Worrall (17), B. J. Esam (16), J. M. Kaig (13), F. Walker (11), A. Worrall (10), W. H. Whyman (9), and David Evans (6) were elected. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the outgoing committee and the chairman. The newly-elected committee met immediately, and Mr. Whyman was elected chairman, Mr. A. Worrall secretary, and Mr. F. Walker treasurer. OTAHUHU.

The annual meeting of householders for the election of a echool committee was he'>d in the Public Hall last evening. There was a fair attendance, and Mr. Samuel Luke was called to the chair. In the absence of Mr. Gordon, Chairman of the outgoing committee, Mr. Franklin read the annual report. In the report the committee expressed their entire satisfaction with the teaching staff, but complained ia severe terms of the bad attendance of the children. To fcbis they attributed the failing off in the number of passes at the late examination. Out of 10 nominated for fcho office of oommittee-men the following gentlemen were elected, Messrs. Day and Wilis officiating ae scrutineers : —Messrs. C A. Bowden, Owen C. McGee, John Todd, Thomas Brown, James Atkinson, Philip Warren, and John Mitchell. The aewty-electcd committee met immediately, *x*A Mr. Charles Bowden was elected chairman , Mr. James Atkinson, treasurer; and Mr. John Mitchell, secretary. DEVONTORT. The annual meeting of householders for the election of a echool committee was held

in the district school last nighfc, about thirty householders being present. Mr. Malcolm Niccol was voted to the chair. The minutes of the last annual meeting having been read and confirmed, the Chairman called upon the secretary to read the report and balance-sheet of the oub-going committee, and on the motion of Mr. Wilkinson, seconded by Mr. Gascoigne, they wore adopted. It, was proposed by Mr. Vosper, seconded by the Rev. Mr. Bates, "That the incoming committee be instructed to request the Domain Board to set apart a portion of the Victoria Domain reserve as a playground for the school. Carried. The Chairman then called upon the meeting to elect a committee for the ensuing year, when the following gentlemen were duly proposed and seconded :— Rev. J. Bates, Messrs. Wilkinson, Philcox, Mason, Hooker, Leßailly, Dutton, Vosper, and Allen. The number being in excess of the number required, voting was resorted to, Messrs. Burgess and Woods being appointed scrutineers. The result of the voting was as follows :—Wilkinson, 31; Bates, 26; Philcox, 25; Mason, 24; Hooker, 18; Leßailly, 17; Dutton, 16; Vosper, 16; Allen, 9. The Chairman gave his casting vote in favour of Mr. Vosper, and declared Messrs. Wilkinson, Bates, Philcox, Mason, Hooker, Leßailly, and Vosper to be duly elected committee for the ensuing year. A cordial vote of thanks to the out-going committee, and to the chairman for the able manner in which he had conducted the meeting, closed the proceedings. At the subsequent meeting of the newly-elected committee Mr. Wilkinson was appointed chairman, and the meetings of the committee were ordered to be held every fourth Monday, commencing on the 7th May. Mr. W. H. Francis was re-elected secretary to the committee. ONKHUNOA. The annual meeting of the householders of the Onehunga educational district was held in the school room last night, there being a large attendance. The Rev. W. E. Mulgan occupied the chair. The out-going committee reported that tho working of the school during the year had been very satisfactory, excopt in regard to the irregular attendance of a number of children. In order to remedy this ovil the committee had made arrangements to pub in force the compulsory clauses of the Education Act against all parents or guardians who did nob insist upon their children attending school regularly. During the year the committee established a school library of nearly 200 volumes, which are lent out to the children. The nucleus of this library comprised books presented at various times by the Scripture Gift Association, to which has been added about £20 worth of volumes carefully selected by the committee. The total receipts for tho year amounted to £80 12a 4Jd, of that sum £68 2s 5Jd had been expended, there being a credit balance of £122s5Jd. The report was adopted. The following gentlemen were elected tho committee for the ensuing year :—Revs. R. Bavin and W. E. Mulgan, Messrs. Brierly, Burden, T. P. Clark, Jas. Robb, and Dr. W. R. Erson. Some discussion took place respecting tho question of school holidays, and Mr. Brierly said that, in his opinion, the holidays given to the children were too long. He said that several over-age pupils were taught at the school. Mr. Stewart, tho headmaster, replied that there were at the school six young girls who had passed tho sixth standard, and he had devoted a portion of his own time in further instructing them. The question was disposed of by tho followin" resolution, moved by Mr. Green, " That thus meeting has the greatest confidence in the committee elect; and is of opinion that all matters left in its hands will be properly attended to." Tho first meeting of the newly-appointed committee was held at the cloae of the meeting, and the Rev. W. E. Mulgan was elected chairman, and Mr. Clark secretary.