OAMARU SCHOOLS COMMITTEE.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 249, 8 February 1877, Page 2

OAMARU SCHOOLS COMMITTEE.

The usual monthly meeting of the School:; Committee was lield last evening in the Secretary's (Mr. John Hardy) ofiico. at eight o'clock. Mr. S. Gibbs, the 01niirir.au of the Committee, presided, and there were also present—Messrs. Sumpter, Falconer, Hi.slop, • Neil Fleming, Evans, Barclay and Liddle. Mr. Thornton, the Rector of the Grammar School, was also in attendance during a portion of the meeting. The Si:i.'RETAKY read the minutes of the last general meeting, which were continricd. The following letter was then read : To Jolin Hardy, Esq., Secretary Schools Committee, Oamaru. 11 Sir,—l have the honor to apply for two children of Mr. Joseph Milieu, Alnsireot, to be admitted as free children at the .North School, viz., Joseph Milieu, a.jcd eight years, and Edward Milieu, ag.-'d live year.-;. The former has been at t.!e .North School before, but his parents are now unable, through the sickness and want of constant work of the father, to p.iy the school foes. They have, besides these two, two children. " Hoping that the application may meet with tiie favorable action of the Committee, \ " I am, «tc., Joseph Mirams." Mr. Svmptek thought it would be well if the matter were left in the hands of the Visiting Committee, and he would therefore move, " That the letter be referred to the Visiting Committee, and that they have power to deal with the matter."

The motion was seconded by Mr. Evans, and carried. Mi*. Falconer said he had been spoken to by a Mrs. Campbell, who was anxious to obtain free education for her two children. Her husband was a blacksmith, and had been a long time out of work, and consequently she was unable to pay the school fees. He knew nothing at all about the merits of the case, and merely mentioned the matter as requested. Mr. Fleming thought it would be well if all such applications came before the Committee in writing, as the-instruc-tions from theJßoard were very stringent

upon tlie matter, and said that none ot'he 1 ' than destitute children should be allowed free education. The matter was then allowed to drop, application to be madei in the usual way. The following letter was handed in by the Chairman, and read by the Secretary " To the Chairman of the Oamaru School Committee. " Sir, —I most respectfully ask for the removal of my daughter from the jN orth School to the Grammar School, as pupil teacher, as it would be mutually advantageous to all concerned 011 account of what has recently taken place. " I am, &c., " Thomas Ferens. " Oamaru, February 2, 1877." Mr. Fleming said if Mr. Thornton were agreeable, he thought it would be a step in the right direction, as it was quite apparent that, after what had occurred between Miss Ferens and the Master of the Is orth School, there was very little chance of them working cordially together. Mr. Falconer would like to ask the Rector, through the Chair, whether there was any room in tlie Grammar School for Miss Ferens as a pupil teacher ? Mr. Liddle/objected to the question being answered, and was about to give his reasons when The Chairman said 113 was not in a position to answer the question ; but he might say that when the Visiting Committee visited tlie North School, Mr. Fleming (the Head Master) experessed a very great wish to retain the services of Miss Ferens, saying fcliat it would be very unfair to liini to lose her now, after all the pains and trouble he had taken to make her an efficient teacher.

Mr. Fleming said that notwithstanding that assertion by Mr. David Fleming, it could not be expected that the pupil and teacher would work harmoniously in tiie future, or that that good feeling could exist which was necjssaiy for the proper working of the school. For that reason if the Hector had a vacancy in the Grammar School lie would be glad to see the change made. Mr. Lrdole doubted the policy of making any such change. Miss Ferens had made matters not very pleasant in the North School, and he could not think it wise to repeat them in the Grammar School. Mr. Falconer was much surprised at any gentleman objecting to an answer being given to his question. It was a fair and legitimate one, and he must insist upon it being answered. The Rector was in the room, and iu his opinion it would simplify matters very considerably and save time if that gentleman were to state whether there was room in the Grammar School for Miss Ferens or not. If there was no vacancy, it was . merely a waste of time to discuss the policy of the change being made. The Recto it , in reply to the Chairman, said of course there was room actually, and he could find work for Miss Ferens : but there was no pressing need for a pupil teacher. "What was really jneeded was an adult teacher. Mr." SujrpTEE, thought it would be well to postpone the further discussion of the application till the report of the Visiting Committee had been read. Tiiis view was adopted, and the Secretary read the following report : " Your Committee recommend the following alterations and requirements : ' *' SCHOOL. Seven panes of glass. The lavatory requires looking to. Hinges and locks for W. 0. The closets were not at all in a satisfactory state, and the smell from them was very offensive, and they had not been cleaned during the holidays, although the boxes were nearly all full. The Committee's attention is particularly required to those closets. A few more lines for hat pegs are necessary, and two pointers for each room. Miss France conducted a class in the presence of the Committee with fair success, and we advise her appointment as a pupil teacher. Closet seats in Grammar School. '•NORTH SCHOOL. " Ten panes of glass. More hat pegs. Division slides not working well. Blackboards unsatisfactory. Pigeons come in at the gables and annoy the school, besides collect dirt. One chair should be got for each teacher, and at least one pointer for each room. An easel andstand for ball-frame is required. Pigeonholes in one of the cupboards necessary, and all the cupboards require lining. East and west windows should be frosted, and all the windows should be cleaned at least once a quarter. This remark applies to ■ both schools. Your Committee recommend the removal of closets to the eastern boundary of sections, with dividing fence, and a blind of iron in front. " S. Gibes, Chairman. " Neil Fleming, "J. T. Evans, " T. W. Hislop, " James Liddle, " Members of Visiting and Building Committee." When the report had been considered a letter read at a previous was again read and taken into con' deration.

" Oamaru, December 20tlTJ : L " The Schools Committee, Oamsfe-g-^ " Gentlemen, —Will you kinder requesF the Education Board to sanction the appointment of the undermentioned pupil teachers—the two first-mentioned from the 17th July last, and the third from January 25th, 1877. Some time since I mentioned their appointment in the course of conversation in Committee, but no official action was taken. ' £ I am, &c., "J. Thornton. "1. William Todd—passed last examination. "2. Miss Helen France —provisional. "3. Miss Mary King (from Jan. 25th, 1877) —provisional." Mr. Sumpter moved, and Mr. Falconer seconded—"That the names submitted by tlie Rector having been approved of by the Committee, are recommended to the 4 Education Board for confirmation." The application contained in the letter of Mr. Ferens was next taken into consideration. Mr. Falconer moved, and Mr. Liddle seconded—"That the application of Mr. Ferens for the removal of his daughter as a pupil teacher from the North to the Grammar School be not granted." Mr. Sumpter moved as an amendment —" That as the Rector has stated that there is no pressing need of another pupil teacher in the Grammar School, Mr. Ferens be informed that his request cannot be acceded to." The amendment, however, was lost, Messrs. Sumpter, Fleming, and Barclay voting for, and Messrs. Liddle, Evans, Hislop, and Falconer against it. The motion was then put, and carried. Mr. Evans wished the Rector to give some hint to the Committee how he could devote more time to the School as a whole. The*-Committee would be only too happy to second his efforts in that direction if they could find out the best method of doing so. The Rector said it was purely a matter of more teaching power, and that was simply a matter of more funds. Under the present crippled system he felt liia very great responsibility, and his inability to do his duty, as the time taken from his own particular class to look after the other portions of the School was to the detriment of the former. . The Rector then withdrew. Mr. Falconer moved, and Mr. Sumpter seconded—"That the Visiting Committee's report be adopted." Mr. Sumpter moved, and Mr. Liddle seconded "'That- galvanised wire be stapled to the outside of the palisading of the North School, and all the pickets replaced." Mr. Neil Fleming proposed, and Mr. Falconer seconded—" That the Building Committee be empowered to carry out the works referred to in the Visiting Commit-* tee's report, and in the preceding resolution. " Carried. Mr. Sumpter then moved—" That the attention of the Visiting Committee (with power to act) be drawn to the advisibility of planting trees and shrubs in suitable places in the grounds attached to the Schools; and that Mr. Falconer be asked to co-operate with the Committee, Also, that Sir. Falconer's pvaffei>ed donation of trees be accepted." Mr, Eya:\seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. Mr. Falconer expressed some surprise that Mr. Petrio's report upon the Rector's class had not been received by the Cofti* mittee before now. He thought it was high time it should be, as ample opportu - nity had been allowed the Inspector of furnishing the report; ancl he would therefore move, " That the Chairman or Secretary wait upon the Rector and enquire if he has received Mr. Petrie's report ; and if not, then the Secretary be instructed to write to the Secretary of Education, asking for a copy." The motion was seconded by Mr. Sumpter, and carried. The adjourned motion of Mr. Sumpter, the consideration of which was deferred from last meeting, then came up for consideration. It was to the following effect: — " That it be agreed that a sum not exSeeding £2O be devoted to prizes and certificates of merit, to be awarded to those children who have obtained the greatest number of marks in their respective classes during the session." Mr. Liddle asked if the motion had been seconded, and was infoi'med by the Chairman that it had been, and that he (Mr. Liddle) had been the seconder. Mr. Liddle said he had merely seconded it pro forma, but he was under the impression that it would require to be again seconded at the present meeting. He would ask for the ruilng of the chair if the motion was fairly before the meeting. The Chairman said it was. The consideration of the matter had merely been adjourned from last meeting.

PL Mi\ NkiE, FtnjaifSO wdd he did not there wo;tt(i te funds for sucfi a pnrpoHe. Mr. S)t"vtrt'Ei4 cottM not that •twtaclcv They wbw startin-; off no« % »ntl there was u"thing t<» prevent thyt v securing that sum at the outset, and i® need be pfac» it in the: bank bearing interest. He did not) think it. right to g*> hat in hand to the public begging for the fund to provide the pri&us. Mr. Ev,ynh was of opinion it. would be better to defer the matter until three months before the tdose of the session. Mi*. Scnri'tGiv said if that eorcnm were adopted, the matter would have to be done hurriedly, arid he thought it but cigM that the Suhoohnaster sfiotd. I knov.early in the year how the prices were to bo distributed. Mp. Lid ur.K was favorable to the matter being left, until the tnd of the second and- then that the tearhei-n be asked to report as to the best method of distributing the prizes. iVtr. with a view of affirming a principle,- and in. order to save time, would move a!} an amendment —Ti'.at the teachers be informed that iu the distribution of prices for the current session, a considerable portion of an available funds shall be expended iu providing prizes to those pupils who have, during the session, excelled in their work." T1 te amendment w;w secom led by Mr. Barclay. A further amendment was proposed by Mi'. D'tiorlNU, and seconded by Mr. Vxx.-t'ONK-it.— 1 " That the Committee defer the question of prices until the end of the third quarter." After a somewhat lengthy discussion, Mr. Etialop's amendment was put to the vote, and carried, by four to three, which thou- became the substantive motion. Against, this, then, Mr. Fleming's further amendment was put, and lost by the same majority. Mr. ITi'.kmini; said the t'ornruittoe had just reconum ruleil that the \. isi'.-iu 1 .; - ( om- | mittee's report by aiiopf.e«l,- and be at. once put iu force, and the work* therein recommended would absorb all the available funds. Mr. Humpter had said- it was not ttdviaabb to ;i.bout coiljctiug fv>r pri/.e- ---' money, but where was it to come from otherwise. Ei-Uowuopinion was that they wonld have pri/ij?., aud tiint the would be got. by collecting t'unu. Mr. fl'i'T.o:- ...>llld be decidedly averse .'.n • the school fees for t "j

,\i . ?' • Wot ltd UlvO fco *c<S the ,J , ~ .1 to- whethev ttn> (<vi;:y.-i • i '»• i by marks or by compctttlVP t.! i. n, Jilt. >m;Mfe"l'is.li then, movent, and Mr* 'LtDtH.it secomUd, tlio following »uu.-n• lTnunr. <m Mr. f.Eudop's motion: —T rxl' fcluj fcouolitiVfS be mfonutd that., in the distribution of I'fi/a-'s for tin* enmnvt a ui)tisi(U:r;vb!v.: portion of tho avn.il. funds si. all lx> t xpvndi'd in pvizi:« to fc!io»o pupil* wlii• havo obtained tho urcatusfc titunbw of inai'kd in tUwit respective during tho srasion ; and that tlm tuauhrrs be to adopt, ua much att possibly, a uniform scale of mark a Utroiviboufc fcl1*? d Uta r t-- nt di vU io iw. Thu amendment, on Iiity put to tUs vote, was. however, lost by oiu\ and subsotlttuttUy Mr. tlu-tlop'sj motion w;ut caru-jd by Itvu to three. tt was r; 'so I vet I, "That thu SSccrftary Win. si'. fc t 1 ad 'i\ la si 4 j to f' '■ ■' r ' u ' Work's t';'to Hiv; Tl'easiHVC on the StlCC'. tulur; M0i111.1.y." 'L'tvi. ,;inall accounts were t b>r payment, an.l I'll.- in'.'; then ai 1 joum jd.