DUNEDIN.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 6534, 23 January 1883, Page 2

DUNEDIN.

The annual meeting of householders in the city was held in the Garrison Hall last night. Great interest was taken in the proceedings, which were commenced punctually at hall-past 7 o'clock, over 1400 parsons being present. The platform was occupied by the members of the retiring Committee, and the chair was occupied by Mr W. M. Bolt, chairman of Committee.

It was agreed to take as read tho report of the Committee, which we published last week. The Rev. Dr Stuakt inquired what was the nature of the amendments which the Committee deemed necessary to make the compulsory clauses of the. Education Act effective ; because if tho suggested amendments were approved of by the constituency, they might that night resolve to move Parliament in the required direction.—(Applause.) The Chairman, in reply, would rather point out the difficulties that the Committee had met with in endeavouring to carry out the compulsory clauses efficiently. They frequently found that when a child was not attending; school, and the Committee had sent the notice required by tho Act, the child might possibly attend school for two or three days, and then absent itself from Bchool for a week. Then the Committee would send another notice, and, the child would come again, with the result that it would be at school only twice or thrice in three or four weeks. In one instance the Committee thought they had a case, but when they took the charge out they found that tho child was attending school again, and the Committee saw that no charge would lie, because by the Act a child was only compelled to attend during half the time that the school was open. His own private opinion was that in order to make the clauses effective it was desirable to limit the compulsory attendance to half the time that the schools were open, that the child should.be compelled to go to school at least three days in every week. Aud in order to ensure the effective carrying out of the clauses, it was necessary that a special officer should be appointed by the Government to see that the clauses were carried out. He would bear testimony to the excellent service the police had rendered in this matter. Dr Stuaet inquired if the Committee could give the number of the children who attended for a few days and then absented themselves from school.

The Chairman replied that that question could not be answered accurately. The Committee's information was furnished by the reports given in by the police. Possibly there were 20 of these children —it might bo a little more or a little less; at the same time he was under the impression himself that many children who did not attend school were not reported, Dr Stuart was glad to hear that the number of absentees was comparatively small. He thought tho plan adopted at Home of halftime schools would bo better than compulsory attendance at the end of the week. The testimony of the English inspectors, though he could not explain it, was that the education given in the half-time schools was nearly as efficient as that given in the whole-time schools. Mr M. W. Gueem would supplement the Chairman's statement. The Committee had app inted Mr Bolt and himself to wait on the inspector of police with a view to enforcing the compulsory clauses. They waited on Mr Weldon, and asked him to appoint a constable to see that the Act was enforced, Mr Weldon expressed his willingness to act as the Committee desired, but stated that he was unable to <Ao so with the number of men at his disposal. He mentioned that ho required at least three more constables for the performance of ordinary police duty, and unless he had these he could not do as tho Committee wished. He (the Inspector) had communicated with the Colonial Secretary asking for » further supply of men, in order that he might tell off an officer specially required for the purpose by the Committee. The reply was that the request could not be acceded to. The opinion was general in the Committee that until a truant-officer was appointed it was impossible to put the compulsory clauses of the Act into operation.—(Applause.) Dr Stuaiit was not satisfied with the communication of the Committee. There was nothing more distasteful to him than to hear that tho Committee sought to employ the police in entering the houses of the people when probably poor mothers were up to their elbows in their washtubs. In this matter the Committee lacked their usual acumen. If a truant-officer was required, they should have asked the people of Dunedin to provide them with one. He for one was glad to hear— and he would take an opportunity oi thanking the hon. gentleman—that the Colonial beuretary had had the courage to say to the Committee that the police should not be employed for such a purpose.—(Applause.) Air M. W. Ghkks reminded Dr Stuart that the members of tho Committee had themselves raade a house-to-house visitation, inquiring tho reason why children did not go to school. How was it possible fur members of the Committee to givo the timo necessary to making up a list of the children of school age in the district? The thing was absolutely impossible. The only way wai to appoint a truant' officer, and was it not tho proper tiling to apply to the Colonial Secretary, who is the Minister of Education,- to appoint such an officer?—(Applause.) They did not want...a

constable in regimental*, but an officer-in plain clothes; and who could better perform tho duty than a man who knows the city, thoroughly and fa acquainted with the Wiles S'ltiio people fidopt in order to keep their children from the schools? Had Dr Stuart been a member of the Committee ho would havo understood the difficulties the Committee

had to meet. : Mr .Robin was sure if Mr Dick were present he would decline to take to himself tho credit l)r Stuart was so anxious to give him. The Colonial Secretary did not refuse these officers because ho thought it was wrong for policemen to enter people's houses for this purpose, but because the Government could not afford it.—

(Applause.) ' Or Stuart, in moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, said that whilst ho " had reflected to a small extent on the Committee for thoir action in reference to the compulsory clauses, he must allow that he hart a profound conviction that the Committee during the past year had done a large amount of admirable work.-(Applause.) He was proud of our national schools, and he never passed any of our public schools without looking at the children and saying to himself .that the .boys and girls of l)unedm are receiving an education far in advance of what, then fathers and mothers received. He had, during his ministry here, united. 300' People, but not one of those who were Now Zealand born had had to sign with a. cross.-(x\pplause ) llie education given by our schools was of a veij Irish order-the faculties of the •children were well trained, and a large amount of knowledge was imparted. He regretted that the power* of the School Committee were so limited, and was astonished that they got such goodjnen to occupy the position when their functions were so limited ■ it was a proof that educational zeal and the lovo for education entered into all classes of society. The Committee had discharged their, trust wisely, and should receive from the citizens their grateful thanks, and be asked to continue thoir services for another

Mr Stout remarked that the number of infractions of the compulsory clausos wore so few . that lie. did not think it was advisable to.make any amendment. He thoroughly agreed with the Chairman and others that if the clauses were to bo carried out' it could only be done by . the appointment of efficient .officers, it am. not matter whether thoy were called policemen or " truant-oiiieers." The retiring Committee had worked in thorough harmony, and in the.,, interests of the present system of secular eduThe Chairman, before putting the,motion, observed that, so far as the Committee were able to gather from the police reports, it was not the industrious housewife referred to byUr Stuart whose children the police nadtodeal,with in this way, but, on the contrary, it was the woman who attended neither to her house nor her children—(applause),—so that the, worthy doctor's sympathy was quite mis-. PIn C answer to questions it was stated that there was a desire to extend the pleasures of the picnic as widely as possible, but it was a picnic for children at present attending the schools. Tho children attending the Normal School had been invited, and so also had the children attending the Taieri schools, but the children from the Taieri schools would cost the Committee'very little—nothing except the cost, of the tea they'drank. ■;, . The adoption of the report was carried nem:

Mr J. W. Jaqo proposed a vote of thanks •to the retiring Committee: for their services during tho year, and especially for the manner in which they had managed to get the school interest out of the financial difflculties_with which thoy were for a time burdened. When the Bank pulled up tho Committee one gentleman on the Committee gave the Bank his own cheque for the amount of the overdraft.—(Ap-. plause.) . , The motion was seconded by Mr Leslie, and carried unanimously. Mr J. W. Jago was elected as returning-. office;-, and six gentlemen were appointed scrutineers. ... t *• The Chairman then invited those present to nominate candidates. Mr James Robin, who was the first candidate nominated, said it waa not his intention to stand, as he had already been 14 years on the Committee, but he thanked them for the confidence manifested m him. Mr Robin was subsequently nominated, and then consented to stand.- ' • . :- Sixteen gentlemen were nominated, and on a ballot being taken the result was declare* at 1.45 a.m., when the following gentlemen were declared elected: — ~ D. .M.Stuart, jun. .. •• 720 M. W. Orcen.-M.H.B. .. •• 604;. 'E Nathan •■ ■■ ■• *°l W. 11. Bolt 4« li. Km: .. •• ■ ■• «»■■ Jis llobin •• .. S»j Kjbeit Campboll .'•• •■ 3DS

ANALYSIS. The analysis of the polling is as follows :—

■ r£ = » i • 8 i -Total - . 6% 111 II !!**«■ fc>. -i 2i, i ■-> ■■_ O i_ iv*ta ~ 100 13 •• 2 820j83 9l 398 G?ce" " 19* •'<>■■ 721216170 604 Oam.bcU •• 1<» 34 1 4 81715*0 593 S^ " '.'. 188 £.. 837 30186 M 443 ESXh" •■• It *!" Slii7|uU MB N°than •• lfil «.. 7. 6102863/452 f.'J' 9G 37 I 41210 9 22: 4M) jes^j;—l _««. j-vi] $AwLiviugrton.. .. HO 8.. 6 6 835181 247 ■c ullar .. .. 86 .... 81 4 10'2940J 159 Gtb, James .. 6! 1.. 13 2i PlO, 80 Guthrie .. .. 24 1.. ..; 1 3 4 !6| 43 Cop'aud,-Dr .. 04 2 2 1 5 722 25 141