UNION STREET.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11401, 19 April 1899, Page 2

UNION STREET.

The following is the committee's report for the year ended March 31 last: —

In presenting tlio annual report your committee have pleasure in stating that, notwithstanding tho prevalence of measles aud other epidemics, the attendance compares favourably with that of previous years:

,„ „ T Boys. Girls. Total. 1893—June quarter .■ 257 262 — 51!) September quarter : 216 251 — 497 December quarter .. 2G7. 253 — 520 1899—March quarter .. 252 235 — 487

immediately on taking office, Mr M. Cohen resigned his position as a member of committee, and Mr T. Ireland was appointed to fill the vacancy.

The annual examination took place in the month of June. Notwithstanding the serious drawback caused by Mr Dagger's resignation, owing fo ill-health, the results were considered highly satisfactory. Your committee held 12 ordinary and an equal number of special meetings, all of which were well attended.

In connection with last year's report, re works in hand, theso are all completed, and the playgrounds are now in excellent order. lie fence round the school ground, though in constant communication with the Education Board the only result obtained so far has been their offer of half the cost or pound for pound for a suitable fence. As part of the present structure is beyond repair, the incoming committee will require to s ive it immediate attention. As usual, the truant officer (Mr Aitken) carried out his duties in a tactful, judicious, and satisfactory manner.

Gymnasium.—Three of the teachers now hold certificates of qualification to teach gymnastics, and we are thus able to give instruction to all —from Standard I to VI, tho boys being attended to by the male assistants, the girls by one of our lady teachers, Mr Hanna rendering valuable assistance on Friday afternoons.

Teams of boys and girls are now enthusiastically preparing to do their sharo in the combined schools entertainment, to be held about tho end of winter.

"Water Supply.—Tiie Pasteur-Chamberlain filter continues to give a pure and abundant supply, thus effectually settling the vexed question of drinking water tor the school.

The school library is being augmented by a further supply o( about ,10 volumes, specially bound for school use, and selected by the headmaster and staff.

As shown by the balance sheet, tho gross income, including the balruico from last year, amounted to £255 4s lOd, the gross expenditure ±239 13s 3d, leaving n balance in hand of £15 lis 7d. Our present gross liability amounts to £9 15s, as against £87 last year, showing that during tho year your committee have paid off tho gymnasium loan of £50, as well as interest on the samo (£3 2s Id). Our liability to the board on the gymnastic apparatus has also been reduced from £32 lis Cd to £20 Gs fid. The latter includes £G 7s lOd'for making frames and covering tho samo with wire netting to protect the Hkylights.

Tho committee take this opportunity of thanking the ladies and gentlemen who kindly assisted, also tho parents and friends of tlio school /for the liberal maimer iv which (hey. responded to the appeal made through tho concert on behalf ot the gymnasium fund, whereby the handsome sum of £2G 7s was cleared.

.Teaching Staff.—During tho year Mr Dagger, owing to ill-health, felt compolled to resign, which resignation was accepted with regret, the committee recognising tho good work done by him during his long connection with the school. Out of a largo number of applicants Mr John Reid, 8.A., was selected to fill the vacancy, which position ho is filling in a highly efficient and satisfactory manner. ' Miss Duthie's four years' course as a pupil teacher ended last December. Tho committee wish to acknowledge the many good services rendered by Miss Duthie during the terra. « The annual break-up was held in till Gymnasium, Hall, tho building being crowded to tho doors. Tho whole proceedings were exceptionally good. A special feature was the presentation to tho headmaster, Mr Stewart, of a travelling rug from tho pupils as a mark of affection and esteem.. The committee _*cknowledgo with gratitude the kindness ot the many friends of the school in donating prizes, and to the old boys in donating special prizes to the duxes.

Tho Bible class has been held once a- week throughout the year, tho attendance showing an increase over last year, Mr Wright expressing his pleasure at the behaviour and attendance of the children.

Tho savings bank continues to be much used, the total receipts, including balance from last year, being £222 12s, withdrawals £113 17s 9d, leaving a balance in hand of. £108 14s 3d.

Throughout the year tho cadets have been drilled by different members of the Permanent Artillery, whenever they could be spared from their other duties. The good results of the drill were such as to earn Colonel "Webb's warm commendatisn at his annual inspection in the North Caledonian ground. -Shooting practices wore held as usual. No teams of other schools would, accept challenges to fire matches, but medals were awarded to the two highest scores in shooting and the three cadets who were best at drill.

In regard to tho amusement of our pupils, cricket and football wero entered into enthusiastically, while the girls had a very successful rounders club. In each case the weekly matches fostered a feeling of good-fellowship with the pupils of the neighbouring schools.

As in tho past, the teaching staff have worked with zeal and energy to promote the welfare of the school, and the committee take this opportunity of expressing their entire satisfaction with the results of the year's work.