SCHOOL COMMITTEE ELECTIONS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 791, 29 April 1887, Page 23

SCHOOL COMMITTEE ELECTIONS.

The elections of School Committees took place on Monday in accordance with the Act. Following are the details of the city meetings . thorndon. At Thorndon there was a very poor at tendance, and Mr A. Koch was voted to the chair. , ~ ... The annual report of the Committee was presented. It referred to a number of matters in connection with the school. The attendance during the year had slightly improved and the number on the roll had increased from 402 to 422. The average attendance had increased from 330 to 347. Playing truant was reported to be still prevalent, and difficult to check. It was remarked that it would be a great boon if absence notices could be sent through the pest free. The attendance at the infant school had been about the same as last year. The district school had at present a good teaching staff, but was placed at a disadvantage by the temporary., loss of Mr W. Lewis, the first assistant master, absent on leave. The percentage of pas3eß at the school was shown in the Inspector’s report to be 76, which was the largest in the district. The pupils at the sohool had won three scholarships. Owing to a want of funds the Committee had been unable to give effect to a suggestion made by circular by the Minister of Education that circulating libraries should be formed in schools. It had not been able, either, to provide gymnastic appliances. Mention was made of the circumstance that an Amenoan organ was to be obtained. In conclusion the report congratulated Mr Mowbray and his assistants on the result of their labors, and expressed the Committee’s thanks to them. , . Mr Mowbray (the head master) remarked that the percentage of passes this year was not to be compared with that of last year, since they were computed by different systems in the two years —last year on the number presented, and this year on the. whole number in the school. Consequently this year’s was really higher. Mr Koch said this was the highest percentage in all the 93 schools in the district. Mr Mowbray explained that in many sohools there were a number of very young children. . , Mr Kooh, in putting a notice that the report be adopted, regretted that there were ao few parents present, and expressed an opinion that the system was too cheap—that if people had to pay for it they would take more iuterest in it. The report was adopted. The following gentlemen were then elected a Committee for the ensuing year : —Messrs A. Koch, C. T. Richardson, J. O, Browne, D. Archibald, J. Rose, J. Davis, W. Widdop. Mr C. T. Richardson moved a vote of thanks to Mr Mowbray and the teaching staff. The work of the year, he said, had been very successful. It spoke for itself. Mr Archibald seconded the motion. TheJOhairman also spoke in commondation of Mr Mowbray, and the motion was carried unanimously. This concluded tbe business. The new committee met subsequently and elected Mr Koch chairman.

MOUNT COOK SCHOOL. The annual meeting of householders in the Mount Cook School District was held in the Bi.ys’ School, Taranaki-street, Monday night, the business being the election of a School Committee for the coming year. There was a good attendance, about 120 householders being present. Mr C. H. Chatwin was voted to the chair. The annual report and balancesheet were presented. The report stated that the affairs of the school during the past year had been in a moat prosperous condition. During the year 14 Committee meetings had been held. The number of children ou tbe roll at the end of the quarter was 2003, with

an average attendance of 1545 ; and at the i end of the previous year the number on the roll was 1600, and the average attendance 1300, showing an increase of 403 for the year. The report stated that the school accommodation i 3 insufficient, and suggested that the incoming < ommittee should place before the Education Board the necessity of proceeding at once with the new school in tbe Oriental Bay district. The receipts for the financial term of fifteen months was £498 12s Id, and the expenditure £193 11s lid, leaving a balance of £5 0s 2d. Included in the expenditure was the keeping of the school in good repair, and also the planting with trees of the grounds in front of the school. The staff of teachers had given satisfaction to the Committee. "A. reform had been effected in the school during the year in the matter of selling books, stationery, &c., in the school. This had been done away with, and the teachers could now give their undivided attention to the teaching of the children. The night school had beeu satisfactorily carried on during the winter mouths, but the attendance during tho last half of the period had not been as good as might be expected. The adoption of the report was moved by Mr Joseph Hicks, seconded by Mr John Holmes, aud carried without dissent. The business of electing a new Committee was next proceeded with. Messrs J. L. Bacon, G. Norbury, J. Wilson, F. W. Cato, and W. Allen, members of the previous Committee, offered themselves for re-election. The following new members were nominated :—Messrs J. Luke, J. Hicks, A. Wallace, C. H. Chatwin, John Trevor, J. Young, and T. Collins. The following was the result of the election : W. Allen, 140; A. Wallace, 136; J. L. Bacon, S 6 ; G. Norbury, 71 ; James Wilson, 70; J. Luke, 53 ; J. Trevor, 43 ; J. Young, 34; C. H. Chatwin, 29 ; F. W. Cato, 24; J. Hicks, 15; T. Collins, 3. The Chairman declared the first seven duly elected. Messrs W. E. Redstone, J. Kershaw, and W, Holmes acted as scrutineers. This concluded the business, and the meeting adjourned. A meeting of the new Committee was held subsequently, and Mr W. Allen was elected Chairman and Mr J. Luke Secretary. It was decided that the meetings be held on the third Monday in each month, at 8 o’clock.

NEWTOWN. The annual meeting of the Newtown householders and election of New School Committee took place Monday night in the schoolroom, Newtown. There were about sixtyfive persons present, including Messrs Hoar (chairman), FeStham, Jones, Powell, and Hollis (secretary), members of the Committee. Mr A. Wilson occupied the chair. Mr Wilson said he was glad to see such a large attendance, as it showed that considerable interest was being taken in the education of tbe young in the district. The Committee’s annual report for the year ending December 31st, 1886, was read. It stated that at the last annual meeting of householders a resolution was carried and ordered to be forwarded to the Education Board to the following effect, viz. :—That the annual audit of accounts be altered from the 31st December to the beginning' of April. The reply received was that the Education Act of ISS6 would not allow of such a course being followed. The Committee were pleased to see that the residents were beginning to take an interest in the school, and expressed a hope that some of , them would follow the example of Mr J. Martin, who had offered two valuable prizes for competition. The C< mmittee were sorry to report that owing to the gross carelessness on the part of the head master the prizes had not been competed for, but they were still on offer, and from tbe way the present head master had taken the matter up, there was no doubt that there would be keen competition for them. The report also states that Mr Bennett, first assistant master, applied for the use of one of the rooms two evenings a week for the purpose of opening classes in connection with the School of Design. : A special meeting of the Committee was held, Mr Bennett attending and explaining his views, and it was decided to grant the request. In reference to the above, the Committee were pleased to find that Mr Bennett’s efforts had proved successful, and they hoped that now the classes were fully , established the pupils in the district would avail themselves of the opportunity offered them. The Committee deeply regretted that they were unable to follow the usual course of giving annual prizes to the scholars, the reason being that the head master had failed to keep any reoord of the marks earned; as was the custom in former years. In conclusion, the Committee stated that they had refrained from enteriug fully into the dispute between the late-head master and themselves for two reasons, viz., the absence of Mr r Lillingtoa (the master), and because it would be productive of no good, beside taking up too much of the time of the meeting. The report also deals with other matters transacted by the Committee during the year. The balance-sheet showed that there was a balance of £l4 3s 9d at the bank. The chief items of receipt were grants for incidental and special purposes, amounting to £ll3 2s 6d, and the chief item of expenditure was £34 8s for cleaning schools and outbuildings, &o. _ Mr Tyson wished to know why tho tender of Mrs Richards of £2 1,5 s per month for cleaning the school (mentioned in the report) had been acoepted when there were other tenders put in at a lower sum. Mr Hoar, Chairman of tbe Committee, said tbere were four or five tenders put in, but the Committee thought Mrs Richards’ was the best one to accept. Mr Tyson : I say distinctly that there were two lower tenders put in. Mr Hoar : I say distinctly there were not. (Order.) ; Mr McLean asked that the names of the tenderers and their prices should be read out. . On reference to the minutes no mention of the other tenderers was made, except the successful one. Mr Feltham, a member of tbe Committee, said that he believed there was a lower tender put in, but at the same time he thought the Committee had a right to accept which tender they pleased. (Hear, hear.) Of course they could state their reasons for accepting the tender, but it was not always convenient to state reasons at a public meeting. He did not think they had paid

too much for the work, and he thought the householders should accept the Committee’s action. (Applause.) He would point out to Mr Tyson that the new Committee would have the power to call for new tenders. Mr Tyson : All right; I’m satisfied. Mr Rosenberg pointed out that the report and balance-sheet had only been made up to the 31st December. There was nothing before the householders about the proceedings of the past four months, The Committee had done as the Act provided, but for all that he thought somethiug might have been done te show the householders what the transactions of the Committee had been during that time. Mr Hollis (secretary) poiuted out that a great many had complained of the Act in this respect. He mentioned that Mr Dorset, the secretary of the Education Board, had told him that the Aot would probably be amended this session. Mr Shine said that the Committee had done their duty under the Aot. Mr Davis said that as the matter was now, the incoming committee would have to report on three of four months of the outgoing committee’s proceedings, for which they were not responsible. Mr Young suggested that two auditors should be appointed to go through the accounts from January. The Chairman favored this proposal. Mr Ivitchen was very sorry that the report did not give them educational information. Ths report told them all about the Bchool cleaner, the departure of a member of the Committee for Kimberley, and a dispute with the late master. He thought that the householders should be put ia possession of information concerning the teacher that had left, the amount of marks gained by the scholars, the attendance, and the percentage of passes. He would like to know why they had the lowest number of passes at the examination.

The Secretary had no explanation to make. The relations had been so strained with Mr Lillington that the Committee had got nothing out of him. With regard to the pass S 3, he thought they ought to ask Mr liillington that. He then read the roll of attendance a 3 follows :—Total number of scholars attending the school, 694—boys 335, girls 339; average last quarter, 52S ; number on roll at close of last year, 546 ; average attendance for quarter ending December, ISB6, 413. Mr Kitchen said that that was what he wanted brought out. With reference to the marks, he would like to mention that previously the Committee had insisted that the register should be brought before them every month. He would like to mention this to the new Committee. The Secretary said the Committee had insisted on getting a lot of things from Mr liillington, but had never got anything. Mr Waters wished to know how it was, then, that? they had presented him with a trophy when he went away. ' ’ Mr Antrobus said because he deserved it. He was the best schoolmaster they had ever bad. Mr McLean wished to know if the Committee had taken any means for getting the whole of the children living in the district to attend the school. The Secretary said that was the duty of the police. The householders could not expect the Committee to do police duty. Mr McLean thought the Committee could take some action in the matter. After some further discussion the matter dropped. In reply to Mr McLean, the Chairman of the Committee said that the schoolground would be repaired as soon as they received their capitation. Mr Wate a asked if the Committee were prepared to give prizes and certificates like other schools. Last year the children had got nothing. The motion for adopting the annual report, moved fay Mr Beyliss* seconded by Mr Antrobus, was then put and carried. Mr Hulke, head teacher of the school, in reply to Mr Kitchen, explained that the apparent lowness of the percentage of passes was owing to the new system of calculating the percentage on the whole school, infants included. Calculating on the old basis the percentage was SI. Mr Johnson said it appeared from that that the late headmaster wa3 not quite so black as he had been painted. (Applause.) It was decided, on the motion of Mr McLean, seconded by Mr Tyson, that the new Committee be instructed to lay befora the Education Board the fact that great inconvenience arises from the report and financial statement being made up to the 31st December, while the Committee’s term ends on the 26th April, leaving four months unreported. The election of the Committee then took place, with the following result:—Baylis, 51; Feltham (re-elected), 41; Hollis (reelected), 33; J. Kitchen, 29; A. Wilson, 24 ; Jones (re-elected), 22 ; and Antrobus, 21. Messrs Eb. Baker, J. Johnson* J. Young, J. Shine, W. Johnston, Bridge, Hoar, Tyson, Anderson, Rowell, Davis, Tetley, Tnstin, Milner, Bell, Claridge, Barnard, Waters, and Toomath were also nominated. Messrs Trim and Davidson acted as scrutineers. Votes of thanks to the outgoing Committee and the chairman brought the proceedings to a close. TE ARO SCHOOL. The annual meeting of the householders in the Te Aro School District was held at the Willis-street School on Monday night for the purpose of receiving the annual report and balance-sheet, and electing a committee for the ensuing year. There were about twenty householders present, and Mr E. H. Fraser presided. The report, which, on the motion of Mr J. Collins, seconded by Mr E. W. Petherick, was carried unanimously, stated that the Committee had to report most favorably on the position of hoth schools under their charge, and that the relations between the committee and teaching staff had been most cordial. A very successful concert had been given by the teachers and pupils, in aid of the piano fund, and the debt on the piano, was now cleared off. A concert in aid of the Christmas prize fund had also been held, in the infants' school, Ghuznee-street, which passed off very satisfactorily. By those and other means £l2 was placed to the credit of the prize fund for the end of the year. The per centage of

passes at the last examination was, according to the old method of calculation, 85 per cent. The annual swimming contest had been held in Maroh last, and the Committee would be glad if any residents to the town would come forward and offer special prizes, as they attach great importance in the art of swimming. No girls’ races had been held as there had not been enough entries, but this year there would be a chance for girls who had learnt to swim. An entertainment for these swimming prizes was to be held on the next Thnrsdayin the Lyceum. Asumof money had been expended in supplying the Willis-street school with Venetian blinds on the sunny side of the building during the summer months, and fhese had proved a great convenience. With regard to drill, gymnastic exercises, etc., a visiting master had, during the past year, been giving instruction. The Committee did not approve this expenditure by the Education Board, and thought that instruction in these exercises should form part of the duties of one of the ordinary masters. At the end of March, 1886, the number of scholars on the roll was 632, and at the end of lastMarchthe number was 685, showing an increase of 53. The school at the present time is quite full. The average attendance up to last March was 87 par cent, of the roll number. With regard to the infant school the number of children on the roll at the end of the last quarter was 321, which was an increase on the previous quarter of 36 children. The largest attendance during the past quarter was 272, and during the former quarter 250, The number of children on the roll was in excess of the accommodation, and the building is both inconvenient for teaching and in a very dilapidated condition. The balancesheet showed that for the year the receipts had been £ 1851354 d, and the expenditure £172 Os 4d, leaving a balance of £l3 7s. The following resolutions were put to the meeting, and carried, after the report bad been read : I. "That the best thanks of the meeting be accorded to Mr F. H. Fraser for his past services in the intereat of the schools of this district.” 2. “That it be an instruction from the meeting to the incoming Committee to bring under the notice of the Education Board the number of children in the Te Aro district who attend no school, there not being sufficient accommodation in ths various schools of the city.” 3. (“That a vote of thanks be accorded to Mr Miller for his services as secretary to the late Committee. The following a e the names of the Committee elected :—Messrs T. Ralph, T. Whitehouse, J. Collins, E. W. Petherick, H. Baillie, J. Hutchens, and J. Cook. At a subsequent meeting of the new Committee, Mr Ralph was elected chairman and Mr H. Baillie secretary. Karori. The annual meeting of householders for the purpose of electing a school committee for the ensuing year was held in the school room on Monday evening. The attendance was unusually large. Mr McKenzie waa called upon to preside. The retiring committee presented their annual report, showing a balance of £lO 83 2d, which was adopted. The usual votes of thanks to the tsaching staff and retiring committee having been carried, the election of the new committee was proceeded with, the following gentlemen being proposed and the first seven elected in the order named:—Major Messenger, Messrs James McKenzie, Stephen Lancaster, Edward Monaghan, C. C. Graham, C. T. H. Brown, J. Hooper, D. Porter, and T. Larchen. At the meeting of the new committee held immediately afterward, Mr McKenzie was unanimously re-elected chairman for the fourth time, and Mr Brown treasurer. MAKARA. Mr H. Monaghan presided at the public meeting, and read the annual report and balance-sheet. The following householders were elected a School Committee for the ensuing year: Messrs W. Trotter, S. Bowler, J. Eagle, G. Monk, G. Shotter, H. Monaghan, J. McLeavy. A vote of thanks to the retiring Committee was carried unanimously. The new Committee then held their first meeting, and elected Mr H. Monaghan chairman, Mr J. McLeavy treasurer, Mr S. Bowler seoretary. After the transaction of routine business, and making arrangements for holding future meetings, the meeting adjourned. PORIRUA. At the meeting of Porirua householders the . following gentlemen were elected as a School Committee for the ensuing year :—Messrs McGrath, Thompson, Hooper, Stevenß, Dormer, Jordon, and Jillet. A vote of thanks was unanimously given to Mr Hooper for his past services, and he was re-elected Chairman of Committee. E. O. H. Canavan presided at the public meeting. JOHXSONVILLK. The annual election of committee was held at the schoolhouse. The following were elected :—Messrs Orbell (51), Cook (50), Atkinson (32), Bowler (30),- London (30), Wilson (23), and Parkinson (19). A resolution was passed by the meeting strongly protesting against the apathy of the Board in the matter of fencing, considering the danger the children are subjected to by the frequent arrival of wild cattle at Messrs Jackson and Co.’s saleyards, which are so close to the school grounds. LOWER HUTT. The meeting held at Lower Hutt Schoolroom last night was one of the largest that has ever taken place in the district. Mr W. A. Fitzherbert occupied the chair. The outgoing Committee reported the condition of the school as being satisfactory. The attendance had increased so much daring the year that it had been necessary to obtain additional accommodation, and a handsome class-room had been added to the school building. The report was adopted on the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Mr Cudby, senior. The election of the new Committee resulted in the return of Messrs Bunny, Cleland, Caverhill, Payne, Fitzherbert, Wilkins, and Speedy. The result of the ballot , was as follows C. E. Bunny, 73; R. Cleland, 28 ; T. Caverhill. 2S; —Payne, 19; W. A. Fitzherbert, 16; J. Wilkins, 16 ; D. Speedy, 13 ; G. Mcllvride, 12 ; C. W. Brown, 10. Messrs J. Carley and D. Barry acted as scrutineers. WADESTOWN. The annual meeting of the Wadestown householders was held in the schoolroom. Mr A. Clark, Chairman of the retiring Committee, presided. The annual report showed that there was a balance in hand of £4 14s. On the motion of Mr Cook, seconded by Mr Larkins, the report was adopted. The fol-

lowing were elected a committee for the ensuing twelve months : Messrs Gotcb, Brooks, Nash, Simmonds, Cook, Mortou, and Larkins. At a meeting of the new Committee Mr Gotoh was elected chairman, and Mr Brooks secretary. KILBIKNIE. The Kilbirnio householders met in the local schoolroom, Mr F. J. W. Fear occupying the chair. The report and balance-sheet were read and adopted. Messrs W. Heginbotham, J. A. Heginbotham, George Smith, A. W. Stevens, V. Claridge, W. Skill and F. Marlow were elected as the School Committee for the ensuing year. The Committee subsequently elected Mr Smith as chairman and Mr W. Heginbotham as secretary for their term of office. PETONE. The annual meeting of the Petone householders was held at the schoolhouse ; and Mr J. S. Mauning occupied the chair. The following Committee were elected: —Messrs Couchman, London, Davidson, Ivirk, Bowman, and Ashcroft. The report of the retiring Committee was read and adopted. . A vote of thanks was passed to the retiring Committee. At the first meeting of the new Committee, Mr McGowan was elected chairman and Mr London secretary. FEATHERSTON. The Featherston School Committee election resulted in the following being elected the new Committee :—Messrs Beal, J. C. Cox, James Donald, W. Toogood, Robertson, Benton, and Everett. PAHAUTANUI. The annual meeting of the householders of the Pahautanui School was held on the 25th inst, when the following gentlemen were elected the committee for the ensuing twelve months :—Messrs J. Loudon, F. A. Death, A. Iggulden, G. H. Taylor, W. N. Staco, and C. Carter. Mr F. A. Death was elected chairman, and Mr B. Robinson, treasurer. JUDFORD SCHOOL. The following gentlemen were elected the new committee : —Messrs D. Galloway, E. Boulton, junr., G. Galloway, E. Draper, A. Judge, and R. Mulkern. The latter gentleman was elected chairman, and C. Stuart, treasurer. HOROICIWI VALLEY SCHOOL. Messrs Thomas Smith, junr., A. Nicol, N. Abbott, .G. Jones, J. Blackley, and D. Millen were elected the committee for the ensuing twelve months. Mr J. Blackey was elected chairman, and W. F. Smith, treasurer.