KENSINGTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11399, 17 April 1899, Page 3

KENSINGTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Tho last regular monthly meeting of the committee of the Kensington School was held on Tuesday evening, and was attended by the following members:—Messrs G. Clark (chairman), J. Feil, E. Puddy, R. Whyte, J. Roberts, J. Nicholls, and VV. Bridgman. Accounts amounting to £20 13s 3d were passed for payment. A rough draft of the annual report was submitted and approved, and a sub-committee appointed to arrange for the construction of dual desks in the in!':.-. I room. It was also arranged that the Genei -• Committee shall meet on the evening 01 the annual meeting at 7 o'clock, in order to make arrangements for tho business to be considered thereat.

The following are the principal clauses ill the annual report: —

Your committee have pleasure in submitting to you their annual report for the year just closed.

In all 12 meetings were held, at which the attendance of members was as follows:—G. Clark 12, Roberts 12, Hanson 10, Nicholls 10, J. Whyte 10, Puddy 10, R. Whyte 10, Bridgman 9, Fell 7.

| The year was not so marked as the previous one, wherein two remarkable jubilees were celebrated. Early in the year Miss Albert, second assistant, had to secure leave of absence for a term, and ultimately resigned her position through ill-health. The committee placed on record their high appreciation of the services of Miss Albert, who had been a member of the school staff for over 12 years, and expressed to her their extreme regret that the school should lose her valuable services. Her position was kept open for about six months, and the committee were quite prepared to extend the term of leave had Miss Albert not submitted her resignation. Miss Aitoheson v.-a 3 appointed to the vacancy. Miss L. "Walton and Miss Barclay were appointed by the hoard as pupil teachers, and in June passed successfully their examination of the second year. The results of the animal examination of the school, conducted by Messrs Goyen and Bossencq, were exceedingly satisfactory. The committee approached the board for the purpose of having a filter for the school, with the result that a large concrete tubular filter was erected, which is now doing excellent service. The board have undertaken to construct dual desks in the infant room, which will be of great benefit to the children m connection with their kindergarten work and slate exercises.

The usual railway trip in connection with the school picnic was held at Evansdale, and was well attended. In connection with the picnic the parents very generously contributed nearly £5 for the purpose of providing prizes,

etc., for sports. The committee provided a great many wooden dumbbells and liars for use in physical drill, also a stock of hooks for sight reading at a cost of ..'! 1 Is. These books are to be kept in the school exclusively, and aro tho property of the cult - iftoe.

In the cricket field the school team won the championship for the season just closed, and deserve every praise for their play. Tlio school buildings and grounds continue in first-class condition. During tho Christmas vacation the janitor topdresscd both yards, which are in capital order. The balance sheet, duly audited, shows a credit balance of £5 19s.

In common with other districts tho attendance of the school has been seriously affected by sickness for some time past. The very best feeling prevails between the staff and the committee, and the meetings of the latter have been of the moat friendly nature.