OAMARU SCHOOLS COMMITTEE.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 587, 20 March 1878, Page 2

OAMARU SCHOOLS COMMITTEE.

A meeting of the Schools Committee was held last evening at the Secretary's office. There were present—Messrs. Steward (Chairman). Fleming, Falconer, Bee, Gibbs, and Headland. Mr. Peattie, Rector of the Grammar School, and Mr. Rice, Master of the South School, were also present. A lengthy discussion took place with reference to the course to be adopted in voting for members of the Education Board. It was eventually resolved, " That a special meeting of the Committee be held on Saturday, at 2 p.m., and that an invitation ho si lit to the several Committees to send representatives to such meeting if they so desire." Messrs. Steward and Fleming, the SubCommittee appointed to report as to what recommendations should be made to the Education Board witli reference to the fees to be charged for pupils taking extra subjects in the Grammar School, reported as follows :

Your Committee report tint they find the nunib-r of pupils taking extra subjects ai the High School i-< 70, viz.:— Latin, 17 b<ys; French, 11 boys, 15 girls ; Kuciid, 15 boys : Algebra, 12 boys. After consulting with the Rector, they recommend that the fee charged for one or more extra subjects be 12-. Gd. per quarter. After some further discussion the report was adopted. The Chairman briefly introduced the proposal which had been made by a number of gentlemen with reference to giving the scholars in the public schools a treat in taking them to see the menagerie, the funds for the purpose to be raised by public subscription. Some discussion Viok place upon the matter, during which most of the members present, expressed the opinion that it was inadvisable for the Committee should not incur any responsibility by taking any action in the matter. Jt was, however, decided to give the masters of the different schools the power to grant a half-holiday to the scholars on the day of the show if they deem, d it ad vi'able.

A letter was read from Mr. Pryde, the

ActiiiL' Secretary to the Education Board, intimating that the sum of LI2OO had been voted by the Board for additions to the schools under the Committee's charge, and adding that as the amount placed arthe Board's disposal by the Government was so utterly inadequate to meet the demands for additional school accommodation, the amount voted must on no account be exceeded. - It was resolved to refer the question of what additions were necessary to be made to the schools, also ihe repairs ri quired at the rectory, to the Building Committee, with the masters, for report at the next, meeting. A letter was also read from the same gentleman, stating that the Board had agreed to the proposal of the Committee to lease the Volunteer Hall for tie purpose of providing temporary school accommodation, and asking what furniture would be required.—This matter was also referred to the Building Committee for

report. The Secretary to the Education Board wrote intimating that the Board had agreed to the employment of an additional female teacher, and asking if the Committee had anyone to recommend for

the appointment. —It was resolved to recommend that Miss Thomas, of Waitahuna. should be appointed should she. be amongst the applicants. Another letter was read from the Board asking for information as to the number of children the schools could accommodate, the number of children in actual attendance, the number refused admission, the number of children between five and 15 years of age in the district, and as

to whether, in the want of sufficient school accommodation being provid-d, the Committee would be willing to bring the compulsory clauses of the Act into operation. The .Secretary was instructed to give tl:u information asked for in the four first questions, the consideration of the question of the bringing into operation of the compulsory clauses to stand over until next meeting. Mr. W. C. Armitage wrote resigning his position as a pupil t aeher in the Grammar School. The Education Hoard to be asked to take steps to till up the vacancy

Mr. D. Fleming wrote recommending

the appointment of Miss Annie Milligan as second pupil teacher in the North School. —Application to bo made to the Education Board for power to make the appointment. Permission was given to the teachers of the High School to have a letter-box placed at the front door of the school. It, was decided that the Easter holidays should commence on Good Friday, and extend over E.-iSter week. Mr. Rice brought tinder the notice of the Committee the necessity for another teacher being appointed to the South School, as it was impossible that they coidd be properly instructed by himself and the mistn ss with the assistance of two pupil teachers. He suggested that a second master should be appointed. —ltwas resolved to make the n. cessary application to the Education Board.