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SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

i, , MKSTtSGsof householders for the-efeetion of committees was held yesterday eventing. CITY. The annual meeting of householders for the election of tie City Schools Committee was held yesterday evening in the St. James' Hall. Mr. Speight presided, and there was a very large attendance. The proceedings throughout were lively. The annual report showed that 22 committee meetings had been held during the year. There were five schools in the district, staffed as follows:— Head-teachers, 5 assistant teachers, 26; pupil teachers. 27 : total, 58. The roll number of pupils for the year ending March 31 was 2999, and the average attendance 2614, as against 3038 and 2528 respectively for the previous twelve months. Four scholarships and six certificates had been obtained during the year. The committee had not been at all satisfied with the examinations of the Beresford-street and the Napier-street schools, and the whole matter had been referred to a sub-committee. This committee hn>d to submit to some very rough handling because of their temerity in challenging the inspector's report. The result of the inquiry held, however, conclusively proved that the examinations were not satisfactory, and that the reasons given had nothing whatever to do with the individual failures in the Standards complained of, but were caused through other circumstances--1 he comobjected to any reduction in the staff of assistants and pupil teachers, unless for very urgent reasons indeed. The committer felt that it was necessary in the interests of the large district from which the bulk of the funds came, that some notice should be taken of the proposal. The cost of maintenance per scholar was already less in the district than in any other, and. it was unreasonable that the electors should have to submit to a reduction being made in the staff of the schools. If the Board found itself in financial difficulties, and that it was necessary to retrench, it certainly had not been caused by any lavish expenditure in the city district. It behoved householders in view of the Bill introduced last session of Parliament to see that one of the main features of the present Act, that was the full control of educational matters, was not filched away from them and placed in the hands of a body beyond their control. The committee then went on to recognise the efforts of the staff. The statement of accounts showed that the committee's receipts were £813 9s 5d ; the expenditure was £718 5s lOd, leaving a balance of £95 3s 7d on the 31st March. The chairman supplemented the report by stating that the balance in hand at date was £158 lbs 3d. The report was received and adopted. Mr. Blades said he wished to draw attention to the recommendation of the Finance Committee of the Board of Education that the teaching staff of the city schools should be reduced. The Board got £3 10s per head for all the children attending the city and suburban schools, but it was not spent in these schools. Some time ago the Board hat! from £7000 to £8000 to its credit but now it was in financial difficulties. Much of the money the speaker maintained had been wasted. In the country districts large and unused residences had been erected for teachers. In the city the cost per head for education was £2 12s sd, while in the country districts the cost was £4 4s Bd. The following were then nominated as committeemen for the ensuing year: — Messrs. J. A. Adams, J. Blades, A. Burns, P. Crowe, H. W. Dixon. J. B. Fairs, R. Farrett. C. W. Gentry, W. Hampton, J. T. Julian, Dr. McArthur, G. B. Proud, R. Salmon, A. Sandford, G. Squirrell, T. Tudehope, Dr. H. Walker, and W. Taylor. The following were elected : Dr. Walker, 181 ; Mr. Blades, 172; Mr. Tudehops. 141: Mr. Fairs, 130; Mr. Crowe, 128; Mr. Farrell. 128; Mr. Julian, 123; Mr. Squirrell, 101; Dr. MeArthur, 99. Mr. Blades moved that; that meeting of householders of the Auckland City Schools District strongly pro-tested against the proposal to take from the school committees the powers of compulsory education, as it would take from the people the power of educational matters. The motion also embodied a suggestion that the resolution should be transmitted to the Minister for Education. Mr. jNeylon said the resolution was political and directed " against the best Government New Zealand had ever seen." He was the only person who voted against the proposition. Mr. Dixon, while the votes were being counted, spoke of the system of election. He had heard that at the last election, though he did not believe it, the cost had been £8 per head. The Chairman : It must be very bad whisky for they are very sober people present. (Laughter.) A meeting of the committee was afterwards held, when Dr. Walker was voted to the chair pro tern. Mr. Blades was elected chairman for the ensuing year, and Mr. Julian, treasurer.

PONSONBY. The annual meeting of the householders of the Fonsonby School District took place last evening. Mr. C. S. Wright presided. There were over 40 householders present. The secretary, Mr. H. C. Bell, read the balancesheet, as follows :—Balance in bank and iu hand on 31st March, 1893, £93 2s Id; grants from Education Board for ordinary purposes, £189 18s Id ; grants for special purposes, £50; miscellaneous, 5s 6d : total receipts, £333 6s •sd. Expenditure. £292 13s: balance in hand at 31st March, 1894, £40 13s sd. The chairDiau read the annual report. It stated that the efficiency of the three schools had been maintained, there being no falling off in attendance or in standard examinations. Standard examinations showed : — Ponsonby school, percentage of passes, 58'9; Richmond Road, 57-8; Bayfield, 58-9. Richmond Road school would require soon to be enlarged. Improvements at Ponsonby school and Richmond Road school were detailed. Deeds for the purchase of additional playground at Bayfield sehool have not yet been completed. The head teacher called attention to the defective state of the library, and the matter was commended to the incoming committee. It was explained that the credit balance would have been larger but for the fact that the Education Board had not continued its payments as heretofore; in previous years the amounts allowed the committee were paid in January and July, in two instalments; this year one quarter's amount only has been paid, which falls short of the amount that should have been received by £60 128 6d, otherwise the balance in bank at the end of the financial year would have amounted to £101 9s 2d. In response to a question by Mr Beecroft, the chairman said the improvements at Brown-street school were donetohis satisfaction. Mr. S. E. Hughes moved the adoption of the report, and Mr. Bennett seconded the motion, which was carried. Sixteen nominations were made for the committee, the following were elected : —H. C. Bell, 32; Patterson, 29; J. Swales, 28 ; W. Leys, 24 ; McVeagh, 24; A. 0. Knight, 23; Maxwell, 21; Shaw, 20; C. S. Wright, 20. Messrs. Hughes and Fury were scrutineers. Mr. W. Doran moved that it be an instruction to the incoming committee to start & night-school. The Chairman said there were no funds unless the Board provided them. Mr. Hughes said night-classes had been started years ago, but after the novelty wore oft' attendance fell off, and they had to be abandoned. The motion was carried on the voices. A vote of thanks was accorded to the outgoing committee for their services. At a meeting of the school committee, Mr. Wright was nominated chairman by Mr. Bell. Mr. Patterson proposed Mr. Swales, who declined to accept the office. Mr. Leys proposed Mr. Patterson, whereupon Mr. Wright withdrew, and Mr. Patterson's being the only nomination, took the chair. Mr. Bell was re-elected secretary. NEWTON. The annual meeting of the householders of Newton, for the purpose of receiving the annual report and balance-sheet, and electing a committee for the ensuing year, was held in St. George's Hail last night. Mr. F. Cherry presided. There were about 100 gentlemen in attendance. The annual report of the outgoing committee, and the statement of accounts for the year was read by Mr. J. M. French, the secretary, from which it appeared that since the closing of the Pitt and Edwin-street School, to which reference was made in the last annual report, and in which the infant school had been conducted for about eight years, this department of the Newton East School has been taught in one of the rooms of the school, and as a consequence the attendance was considerably in excess of accommodation, rendering it impossible to have the children efficiently taught under such conditions. The question of providing additional room was at present under the consideration of the Board. The number of pupils on the rolls were: Newton East 715, with an average attendance of 6055; and Newton West 600, with an average of 550. At the standard I examination of Newton East by Inspector Crowe, the percentage of passes was 93'5, of failures 65. The inspector reported : "Results very good, and show that this school maintains its high character for efficiency. Discipline, order, and tone excellent." Inspector Airey examined Newton West. The Percentage of passes was 99*3, and of failures 7*7- He reported that the results of the examination were very satisfactory, and the discipline and behaviour very good. The accounts for the year ending March 31,1894, showed the income for the year, inclusive of a credit balance on April 1,1893, of £63 0s sd, to have been £560 16s Id, and the expenditure £558 12s, leaving a, credit balance of £2 4s Id. In explanation of the small credit balance as compared with last year, it was pointed out that in previous years the half-yearly school fund allowance to June 30. ; in each yearjhftd always been included in the jS statements la r the present instance the

school fund allowance only covered the quarter ending March 31st last. During the present month, the sum of £61 ss, being school " fond allowance (including extra grant for school stationery) for the quarter ending June 30, 1894, « has been placed to the credit of the committee's account. At the last committee meeting sundry accounts were passed for payment amounting to £5 8s 9d, leaving a balance to date (April 23) of £58 0s 4d. The report and balance-sheet were adopted on the motion of Mr. Milbank, seconded by Mr. Cook. The election of the new committee was then proceeded with, 12 gentlemen being nominated. The scrutineers were Messrs. Shackelford, Casey, and Cook. The voting was as follow:— McMaster, 79; T. W. Freeman, 72; A. Burfoot, 70; H. Thompson, 69; J. M. White, 67; W. J. Macdermott, 64; T. F. Newcombe, 59; T. H. Martyn,sß; J. Peak, 54; A. Williams, 51; F. C. Taylor, 43 ; J. T. Hough, 30. The first nine were declared duly elected. This concluded the business of the meeting. The newly • elected committee then mot, and elected Mr. H. Thompson as chairman for the ensuing year. Mr. T. H. Martyn was elected treasurer, and Mr. J. M. French secretary. PARNELL. The annual meeting of householderstfor the reception of the annual report and the election of a school committee, was held in the public school last night. There was a fair attendance of about 50. On the motion of Mr. Campbell, Mr. C. Wood was voted to the chair. The annual report was read. It spoke in favourable terms of the management of the school for the past year. The number of teachers varied from 13 to 12. Two had been removed, and the staff at present waa 12. The average attendance for the year was •152, and average uumbtsr on the roll 570, the low attendance being attributable to mumps and measles, prevalent in the early part of the year. An abstract of the examiner's report was submitted, showingHhe percentage of passes to be 82*18. The committee dealing with absentees urged on parents the importance and necessity of sending their children to school. It referred to the establishment of a night school to encourage youths to learn. The committee had reason to be satisfied that the teaching staff had been fairly successful in their efforts in teaching during the past year, but they are of opinion that there is room for improvement, both in the teaching and discipline of the school. The abstract of school accounts showed total receipts to be £116 0s (id, and the balance in hand was £9 18s 6d. This was so small that Mr. Pollard desired to explain that it was due to the fact that the incoming subsidy had not been received. This would make the balance over £30, and equal to last year. Mr. Campbell moved the adoption of the report but commented on the fact that the school had never gained a scholarship. Mr. Schofield seconded the adoption of the report, and invited expressions of opinion. Mr. Pollard, chairman of the outgoing committee, said they had gone fully into the matter, and he might say that their opinion was fully conveyed in the clause of the report erring to room for improvement in regard to teaching and discipline. There was a good deal of discussion on the want of success of the school, and Mr. Schofield commented on the fact that such a large number of children had left the school to go to other schools, and yet no representation was made to the committee. There was no doubt, he said, there was a fault somewhere, and something wrong with the work which necessitated their getting at the main spring. Mr. Campbell replied that this did not close the discussion as several others desired to speak, and there were strong remarks as to the charge of want of discipline in the school. The motion for the adoption of the report was then put and carried. No nominations had been received by the chairman for committee members, and it was open for the meeting to nominate members to serve on the committee for the ensuing year. There wete twelve candidates, and scrutineers were ap- j pointed to take the ballot. While this was j being done the attention of the meeting was called by the chairman to the report of the j school inspectors, recommending the exclusion of history from the school curriculum, which he strongly condemned. After some discussion, it was resolved, on the motion of Mr. Holgate, seconded by Mr. Schofield, " That this meeting of householders strongly disapprove of the suggestion of the inspectors to exclude history from the syllabus." Other matters were discussed, The scrutineers finally brought up the result of the ballot. It was in favour of Messrs. W. Thomas, J. W. Tighe, H. Schofieid, R. Cameron, C. Kay, N. W. Pollard, I. Hill, J. Page, and A. Smith. The usual votes of thanks were accorded. The committee then met. Mr. Pollard was re-elected chairman. On the motion of the chairman and on the chairman's suggestion the election of a secretary was left over until the next meeting of the committee.

NEWMARKET. The annual meeting of householders for the election of a school committee was held in the public school, Newmarket, last evening. There was a good attendance, and Mr. F. G. Clayton (Mayor) presided. The annual report showed what had been done during the year, and it was generally of a satisfactory character. Hie receipts for the year were £92 2s 3d, and the expenditure £89 5s 3d. It was explained that the committee started last year with an actual debit balance of £4 and with subsidy now due the incoming committee would start with a credit balance of £18 8s 4d. Reference was made to the scientific apparatus supplied to the school, and its usefulness. The committee regretted the repeated removal of teachers from the school as interfering with its efficiency. In regard to Arbour Day,, it was stated that owing to delay on the part of the Government in furnishing trees, Arbour Day had to be laid aside this season. A violin class, taught after school hours, had been established, and was being taught by Mr. McDougall, who had already a good class established satisfactorily. The report was adopted on the motion of Mr. Broun, seconded by Mr. Bishop. The report of the head teacher, which dealt generally with the working of the school, was also adopted. An expression of opinion was adopted that history should be retained in the school syllabus so far as the history of the people as nations was concerned. On the motion of the chairman, seconded by Mr. Hannigan, the retiring committee, Messrs. R. Holmes, J. M.Coll, J. Menzies, E. Lowe, C. Bishop, N. Randall, E. Laxon, J. Lumpkin, and W. H. Pooley were re-elected, and a vote of thanks accorded to them for their past services. A meeting of the committee was held immediately after the general meeting and Mr. R Holmes was re-elected chairman, and Mr. W. H. Pooley secretary. DEVONPORT.

Forty-three householders were present at. the meeting at the schoolhouse last night. Mr. O. Mays was in the chair. The report, which appeared m our columns yssterday, was read by the chairman, and unanimously adopted. On the motion of Mr. Hoile Brown, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the retiring committee, to which the chairman responded. The following persons were then nominated as members of the committee for the ensuing year, and received the number of votes set against their names :—G. L. Peacocke, 36; E. Bartley, 35 ; P. H. Mason, 34 ; G. Blandford, 27; Rev. J. Hill, 26; O. Mays, 22; E. Dutton, 22; J. Cuff, 21; W. Wilkinson, 18; Miss Webster, 16 ; J. Bennett, 15; J. Dunning, 13; D. Jack. 13; Mr. Bowden, 7; Mr. Baulf, 6; Mr. Crosher, 11; Mr. Smith, 5. The chairman declared the first nine duly elected. At a meeting of the newly-elected committee held at the close of the annual meeting, Mr. Bartlev proposed that Mr. O. Mays be chairman of the committee for the ensuing year. No member of the committee had stuck to his work more faithfully than Mr. Mays, amid great difficulties and troubles. The Rev. Jas. Hill seconded, and the motion was carried by acclamation. Mr. Mays thanked the committee for having elected him to the office of chairman for the sixth time without opposition. He would as heretofore do his best as far as his leisure would permit for the benefit of the school.

NORTHCOTE. The annual meeting of householders of the Northcote school district was held in the schoolroom, Northcote, Inst evening, there being a fair attendance. Mr. A. Bruce occupied the chair. The report of the committee showed that the total receipts for the year, including the balance at March 31, 1893, were £54 5s lid, and the expenditure £52 43 3d, leaving a credit balance of £2 Is Bd. There have been fifteen meetings of the committee during the year. The examination report states that the writing and counting are good; reading, fair : discipline, order, and tone, good. The following were the passes in each standard Standard VI., four went up, and tour passed ; Standard V., five went up, and five passed ; Standard IV., four went up, and four passed; Standard 111., 11 went up, and 10 passed; Standard 11., 24 went up, and 24 passed, making the total number of passes 95 per cent, of those who went up. The number on the roll at March 31 was 155, the average attendance being 115. As this increased attendance entitled the school to another teacher.the Board appointed Mr. A. J. Murdoch as pupil teacher. The staff now comprises the head teacher, one assistant teacher, and two pupil teachers. From the Government 100 trees had been obtained and planted on Arbour Day. During tho year an additional shelter shed had been erected at a cost of £10 13s. Two concerts had been given by the pupils, tho net proceeds being £6 3s, a portion of which has been devoted to the formation of a school li.bra.ry, and. about 50 volumes had been pur-

chased. Great praise is duo to Mr. Fidler and his assistants for the admirable way in which they got up the entertainment and carried it through. No complaints have been made during the year. Some correspondence had taken place between the Board of Education and the residents of Hellyer's Creek re a new school in that district. This correspondence had been forwarded to the committee, and it had been resolved that the committee bad no objection to the erection of a school outside the boundaries of the Northcote School Committee. Mr. Bruce explained that there was an additional balance to the credit of the committee of £8 15s, which, owing to the accounts having to be made up by March 31st, could not be shown in the present balancesheet. Mr. Joshua Jackson proposed the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, which was seconded e.uc'l carried unanimously. The election of a committee was then proceeded with, the following being nominated : —Messrs. Bishop, Lowe, sen., Bruce, Hawes, Stanley, Whatford, Riddell, R. J. Hardy, Wrightson. Messrs. Brace and Biddeli retired and the remaining seven were appointed as the committee for the ensuing irear. The chairman stated that there was a, ibrary in the school belonging to the Northcote district, for which the proper custodian could not be found. He would like the present meeting to give some expression of opinion as to what should be done with it. Several of the last committee elected were at present residing in the district. After some discussion the present school committee were elected to reinstate the library. A vote of thanks to the chairman closed the meeting. A meeting of the newly-elected committee was subsequently held, when Mr. Lowe was elected chairman and Mr. Whatford secretary. MA* FIELD. The annual meeting of householders for the election of a school committee for the ensuing year took place last evening. The annual report submitted bore testimony to the ability ot the teacher, Mr. Clarke, who received high commendation for the progress made by the children since he took charge of the school. The following gentlemen were elected a committee :— Messrs. Gideon Jack, J. H. WiCheford, Terence Crook, and William Barber. The new committee then met and elected Mr. J. H. Witheford chairman and Mr. Barber secretary. The new committee starts with a credit balance of £6 6s 2d, in addition to which an organ fund shows a credit of £7 4s 2d. It was intimated that the intention of the committee was to provide a first-class instrument for use at Sunday services and concerts. The chairman acknowledged receipt of a donation of £1 towardsi the organ fund from Mr. Thomas Horton, said said he would be pleased to receive further donations for the same fund. REMUERA. The annual meeting of householders of the Remuera district was held in the schoolroom, Remuera, last evening. There was only a fair attendance. The report of the outgoing committee was read by Mr. William Dinnison. It stated that the school was progressing very satisfactorily, excellent work having been accomplished during the past year. The highest attendance during the year was 402, and at present the average was 357. The following gentlemen were elected as members of the committee tor the ensuing year : — Messrs. Thomas Buddie, Jas. H. M. Carpenter, William Dinnison, David Booaey Cruckshank, Thomas Finlaysou, John R. Gray, Andrew Holden, Jas. Marshall Lennox, Win. Johnston Parker. At a meeting of the committee held afterwards, Mr. J. M. Lennox was elected chairman. MOUNT ALBERT. The annual meeting of householders was held in the schoolroom yesterday evening. There was a large attendance, and Mr. W. H. Martin presided. The report of the outgoing committee, which was of a very favourable nature, was read and adopted. The following nominations of candidates for the school committee for the ensuing vear were received :— Messrs. W. H. Martin, ft. Barker, A. Tver, F. Finch, J. St rat hern, W. Freeney, W. Atkin, H. Kayes, J. Sill, and T. Battersby. On a ballot being taken the first seven were declared elected. The new committee afterwards met, when Mr. Martin was appointed chairman, and Mr. A. C. Mercer secretary, treasurer, and truant officer.

AVONDALE. There was a fair attendance of householders at the annual meeting, which was held in the schoolroom last evening, Mr. J. Bollard being in the chair. The outgoing committee's report was considered highly satisfactory, and was unanimously adopted. It showed that the income during the year was £78 9s Id, and the expenditure £42 Is 3d, leaving a balance in hand of £36 7s 10d. The following were elected the new committee for the ensuing year: Rev. E. O. Perry, Messrs. J. Bollard, R. P. Bollard, E. Astley, G. Thomas, Jag. Binsted, and R. B. Mesbitt. ONEHUNGA. The annual meeting of householders was held at the public schoolroom, Onehunga, last evening. The meeting was the largest ever held for the purpose. The feeling was it fever heat on account of the conduct of a section of th 9 old committee. Nearly 300 householders voted, and the result was the rejection by an overwhelming majority of the party led by Mr. R. Smith. Mr. J. D. Jackson occupied the chair, and filled it with his usual ability and firmness. The report of the outgoing committee was read. It dealt with the business of the year in brief, and congratulated the householders on the efficient management of the school, and spoke in the highest terms of the staff. Mr. R. Smith criticised the action of the committee and head master. Mr. Jackson called on the head master to explain the points raised by Mr. Smith. He received a most cordial reception from the meeting, and throughout was given a careful hearing and was loudly applauded. The result of trie election was : —Messrs. E. J. Gatland. 141 W. Dunwoodie, 130; Albert Hughes, 126 ; John R. Stych, 125; J. D. Jackson, 121: J. Muir Barr, 120 ; Enoch Burden, 119; J. Stewart, 118; Joseph Roberts, 111 ; J. R. Hendry, 76; R. Smith, 59; William Tapp, 55; Humphrey Kearin. 50 ; James Beavers, 46 ; William Brierly, 45 ; John MacMahon, 43 ; Arnold Schnauer. 41 ; Win. Colledge, 40 ; Win. Fletcher, 18. The first nine were declared elected. At the close of the meeting the new committee met and elected Mr. J. M. Bair, chairman ; Mr. P. Clarke, secretary and treasurer ; and Messrs. Danwoodie, Jackson, and Stewart the yard committee. [by telegraph.— association.] Dunkdin, Monday. A fair amount of interest was taken in the school committee elections to-night in moat districts. At Union-street a resolution was passed as an instruction to the new committee to discontinue all Whitcombe and Tombs' books.

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Bibliographic details

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9493, 24 April 1894, Page 6

Word Count
4,462

SCHOOL COMMITTEES. New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9493, 24 April 1894, Page 6

SCHOOL COMMITTEES. New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9493, 24 April 1894, Page 6