ALBANY STREET.

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

ALBANY STREET.

The following is the annual report of the Albany Street School Committee: —

j In presenting our. annual report your cora- ! mittee heartily congratulate the parents of the j district. 0:1 the excellent condition of the school and grounds. A heavy cieinand has been made on members of the committee in carrying out the various duties devolving upon them during the past year. One member found it necessary .to vacate his seat on the committee—viz., Mr M'Connochie, —having removed from the district. This was greatly to be regretted, for that gentleman had devoted a large amount bf his time in promoting the interest of tho school. Tho .vacancy thus caused was filled by the appointment of Mr Kirby. The attendance at meetings showed a desire on the part of members to pay clone attention to their duties. In continuing the good work performed during the preceding year, in respect of improvements to the school, grounds, and buildings, your committee formed a deputation to wait upon the Education Board to urge upon them the necessity of erecting a filter for the school, so that the children might have pure water to driiik. The chairman of the board recognised the necessity for this, and promised the committee that it should be attended to at an early date. \. c are now pleased to report that a large filter has been erected, and is giving every satisfaction. Another mutter that- has engaged the attention of the committee of iute years is the erection of dressing rooms and stage in the gymnasium. We are pieased to st»t» that we have been enabled to raise sufficient funds to carry out this important want, also to more fully equip the gymnasium by putting in longitudinal beams, etc., for trapeze, J-2U being spent on this work, £0 of which was contributed by tho Kindergarten Association, who have had the free use of the hall during the past yeai, and now we can say that our gymnasium will compare favourably with the best in the colony. Gymnastic classes have .been carried on throughout the year—evening classes by Instructor J. C. Smith, and day classes by the teachers and Instructor Hanna. Needless to say those-, boys and girls who have attended the classes have made good progress under such expert tuition. The com.mitlee being desirous of iim-roving the playground of the infant 'school, {he same not being sufficiently consolidated to asphalt, had it covered with screenings. The buildings and grounds aro now iv excellent condition, but the fence is in a very bad state, and requires replacing by a new one. This is a matter that should occupy the attention of the incoming committee.

During the year a successful concert was held in the City Hall in aid of the school funds, and was largely attended. The penny savings bank is still carried on, and at the present time the credit balance is £120, a very satisfactory result. The annual swimming tournament was held under the auspices of the committee. Mr Vf. Thomson superintended the arrangements, and was assisted by the head master and other members of the teaching staff. Mr Thomson is deserving of your thanks for the interest he takes in teaching the scholars the useful art of swimming. The annual picnic was held at Evansdale, and attended by about 800 excursionists.' The weather was fine, and a pleasant day was spent.

In connection with the cadet corps' annual shooting competition, Mr Moller presented a gold medal to the most successful marksman. The corps now numbers 60 strong. Shooting practice and competitions arc carried on under the direction of Lieutenants Thomson and Spence. £20 has been granted by the Government as this year's allowance.-

During the year fivo pupils passed the junior civil service examinations, and two gained sufficient marks to entitle them to free education at tlio High School.

During the year Mr ',D. Wright has conducted Bible classes in the school. The com-

mitteo have.great pleasure in reporting that tho class is well'attended. The institution is entirely unsectarian, and this is a bona fide attempt to meet the.call for ethical instruction in State schools. The class is now in its fourth session. The attendance on tho day it began was 109. Last year the average of boys and girls was 120. Mr Wright expresses satisfaction, but would like to see more.

'Tlio committee regret having lost the services of Misses M'Millan and Henry, whose efforts have contributed so much to the success of tho school during the last few years, and who personally were held in the highest esteem by both teachers nnd scholars. The staff, under tho able management of. Mr J. L. Ferguson (headmaster) and Miss Ilaig (matron), have curried out their duties as satiafactorily as heretofore, and everything continues to run smoothly' with the internal working of the school.

Your committee have worked most harmoniously togethsr, and, in conclusion, we retire from our positions, believing that we have conscientiously fulfilled our duties, arid with a wish that tlio Albany Btrcet School will long continue to prosper aud maintain its- high standard of excellence, among the schools of Otago. -