OAMARU SCHOOLS COMMITTEE.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1219, 13 March 1880, Page 3

OAMARU SCHOOLS COMMITTEE.

i—*The monthly meeting of the Schools Committee was hold last evening, when there were present —Messrs-. "Fleming (Chairman), Smith, Bee, and Mitchell. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. A letter was read from the Secretary to the Educatiou Board covering a tracing of the site of the High School, and it was resolved that the Secretary should write to the Inspector of Police, asking that the dividing fence between the school grounds and the puliee reserve, at present encroaching upon the former, might he removed, and the boundary adjusted. The Rector and Secretary were empowered to arrange the matter with Inspector ThcmpIt was decided that the Easter holidays » 'should extend from the 23th inst. to the •2nd April. „„ . n . The Secretary to the Education Board •wrote stating that the Board had decided that it could not see its way to grant increased accommodation at the .North School, as it did not consider it necessary to provide accommodation in any particular portion of the town, as id had already been decided to erect a new boilding, which, •when completed, would, with the existing schools, provic© accommodation for all the children in the district. The following letter from the headmister of the North School was read : North School, Oamarn, February 24, JSSO. Sir, —As there is to be a meeting of the Education Board on Thursday first, I take this opportunity of a*kmg yon to forward the fotlowingstatement concerning the North School. The school has increased to such an extent that it is absolutely necessary something should be done in the way of rendering us assistance. Our 'staff at present is exaetly what is altowcd by the Regulations for "270 scholars, and at present there are attending every day from 3SS to 393. It wants nearly six weefts till the end of this quarter, so that something must be done immediately ; otherwise, I can scarcely be to be responsible for bad results. My assistants and myself are taxed far beyond our abilities, and I may say plainly this state_ of things cannot exist much longer. Your immediate action in this matter will greatly oblige your obedient servant. Jaheh Lhtdsuv, Head Master North School. J. Hardy, Esq-. Secretary School Board, Oamaru. Some discussion took place rtpon the sub'ect, during which Mr. Bee pointed outViat the present crowded state of the school was detrimental to the health, comfort, and education of the children. It was ultimately resolved, on the motion of Mr, Bee, seconded by Mr. Smith, " That t&e Secretary write to Mr. Lindsay stating that as the Committee have received from the Education Board notice that the accommodation of the North School cannot be increased, and a3 he in his letter informs the Committee that, he cannot be held responsible for bad resnlt3, and as he further states his assistants and himself are taxed far beyond their abilities, and says that the present state of things cannot exist much longer, and further that immediate action u necessary—the Committee desire that Mr. Lindsay take such steps as he may deem fitting "to rednce the numbers in attendance to the standard of the department." Mr. G« Brownie© wrote asking for permission to use a room in the High School for the purpose of imparting musical tuition to a class formed of teachers in the district. —Permission was given for a room to be used on such nights as might be arranged between the .Rector and Mr. Brownlee, provided that the present cleaning arrangements of the school were not interfered with. A letter was read from the Secretary to > the Education Board stating that Mrs. M. G. Grahame was the only candidate who had applied for the position in the Hujft School. Accompanying the letter wasa strong recommendation of the lady in .question. After some little discussion, it was resolved, on the motion of Mr. Mitchell, seconded by Mr. Smith, "That theSecre-ta-v vvrite to the Secretary of the Education Board, expressing the regret of the Commifci."oe that there should not have been mot e than one candidate, and that the Board .did not deem it advisable to comply with the Committee's request to advertise mor.T widely for a Matron for the High School; also, that the Secretary to the~Board be requested to convey to Mrs. Grahame the desire of the Committee that she should visit Oamarn, with a view to interview intj the Rector." The Committee then rose.