HUNTLY SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15123, 14 October 1912, Page 9

HUNTLY SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

The usual monthly meeting of the Huntly School Committee was held on Friday night, Mr. T. H. Marshall presiding. Matters in connection' with the institution of a school of mines in Huntly were left in. the hands of the sub-committee, the ques-

tion of site being deferred until the return of tho donor (Mr. W. J. Ralph) from Aus-

tralia. The head teacher stated that for th<"> month of September the roll number of pupils was 380, and tho average attendance 340, while for the quarter the figures were 374- and 337.4- respectively. Intimation was received from tho Board stating that the

plans and specifications for a new residence for the head teacher had been prepared, and that tenders for its erection had been called. The caretaker intimated that tho

Board's workmen had completed tho drainage as requested, and had sanded and tarred he floor of tho shelter shed. It. was resolved to thank the Board for these necessary improvements. The report of the chief inspector (Mr. F. K. Mulgan) and the architect (Mr- .T. Farrell) recommended the immediate acquisition of four acres of land on the western sido of the river as the site for a new school, but that no steps be taken io remove the present buildings until a foot-bridge was added to the bridge now under construction; and that in tho meantime the Government should bo asked to grant tho money necessary to build on to the present school a room sufficient to accommodate 50 pupils. The committee was of opinion that a room of the size mentioned would not meet the requirements, and would not relieve the present congestion. It was accordingly resolved to point this out to the Board, and to suggest that any additions less than those necessary to accommodate 100 pupils would prove inadequate. The application by SerjeantMajor Leech for the uso of the school grounds for drill purposes was refused on tho casting vote of tho chairman. The committee directed its delegate (Mr. 11. Greer, well), or failing _ him Mr. Elliot, to support _ Association of School Committees iii all matters that tended to increase the powers and standing of school committees, to vote in favour of any suggestion to remove, the. anomalies in the system of grading teachers as now in vogue, and to bring before the association the necessity for legislation in the matter of elections of school committees, whereby the irregularities that were 'bound to fallow the present methods might be obviated.