OAMARU SCHOOLS COMMITTEE.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1086, 11 October 1879, Page 2

OAMARU SCHOOLS COMMITTEE.

The regular monthly meeting of the Committee was held last evening at the Secretary's office. There were present— Mr. -V Fleming (Chairman), Dr. Garland, Messrs. Montagu, Smith, and Hardy (Secretary). The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed, aud the outward correspondence was read and approved. " A letter was read from the Secretary to the Education Board, intimating that the Board had decided to make arrangements for one of the drawing masters visiting the District High School should the Committee so desire, and asking to be informed if the Committee wished to obtain the services of the master. It was resolved " That the Committee thank the Board for the offer of a drawing master for the High School, and will avail themselves of his visits as often as possible ; but would respectfully suggest the advisability of appointing permanently a drawing master for the district, as drawing is a part of the school syllabus." Mr. Thomas wrote tendering his thanks for the personal sympathy extended to him by the Committee in connection with the death of his daughter. Mr. Lindsay, head master of the North School, wrote, stating that the average attendance at the school had reached 292|-, the highest attendance this week being 299 on two occasions, and that the total number of bona fide pupils on the roll was 31G. He pointed out that this average entitled the school to another assistant teacher. The writer also pointed out the necessity for increased seating J and desking accommodation being provided, the requirements in this direction being very great, owing to the large influx of scholar?. Mr. Lindsay also asked that a desk might be provided for the reception of his books and papers. It was decided to apply to the Education Board for a second assistant teacher; also, to ask the Board to furnish additional seats and a desk, as requested by Mr. Lindsay. Mr. Lindsay reported that after paying expenses he had a balance left out of the proceeds of the late concert of Ll2 10s, and mentioned that he purposed expending a portion of the amount in the purchase of dumb bells and single sticks, and with the balance he intended, with the consent of the Committee, to erect swings, &c.

It was decided that the sub-committee should confer with Mr. Lindsay as to the site for the swings. The Hector of the High School (Mr. Peattie) reported at some length as to the steps he had taken to carry on the work of the school during the past week under the extraordinary circumstances which had arisen. In addition to the loss through death of Miss Thomas, Mr. Fidler was absent on leave, and Mr,

Hewat had met with an accident, which had incapacitated him. He expressed his thanks to the pupil teachers for the manner in which they had discharged their duties. On the motion of Dr. Garland, seconded by Mr. Montagu, it was resolved—That the Committee, in receiving the Rector's report of the work in the school during the past week, wish to record their satisfaction with the arrangements made by him during the absence of so many of his assistants. A number of accounts were passed for payment, and the meeting terminated.