SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

Otago Daily Times, Volume 13696, Issue 13696, 12 September 1906, Page 6

SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Forbury School. Committee wn3 held -in the Bchool'on Monday evening; present—Messrs Johnston (chairman* Harvey, Stewart, \Vise, M'Mceking, Asliton, Steel, and Koid. An apology was sent from Mr Farranl. Owing to -the closing of the school thero was no head master's report. Consideration of a letter from tho Education Board with reference to the; cleaning and painting of the interior of tho school, deferred from'last meeting, was then taken, and it was reEolved—

"That tho committee considers the painting and cleaning of the school interior to bo tho duty of tho board, and would respectfully point out that nothing lias been done to tho school interior since the erection of the building, and that its present condition more than justifies tho. committee in again impressing upon tho board the urgency of the work." On tho circular from tho School Committee's Association being read it wsb resolved:—"(l) That £1 be voted to the I\'ow Zealand Amateur Athletic Association Guarantee: Fund; (2) that tho question of pupil-teacher training bp deterred for consultation with the hond master; (3) that tho comrnittco is in favour of the abolition of vertical writing, and is also in favour of tho appointment of a socialist for Otago." Tho clerk was' instructed to writo to Messrs T. Mackenzie and T. IC. Sidey. M.H.B.'s, pointing out the grava injustice that will- bo inflicted upon tho school should it bo penalised by the loss of a teacher for the low attendance caused by tho present epidemic of measles, and requesting these gentlemen to interview tho Education Department on tho question, and save tho school, it possible, from being reduced a' grade. The use of sheep dip and sawdust nsj a disinfectant for floor sweeping being recom-: mended, to the committee, the chairman was, authorised to procure a supply. The monthly mooting of tho North-East Valley School Committee was hold Inst evening, and was attended by Messrs Campbell (in tho chair), Macon,. Mowat, Mitchell, G. Gilder, snd D, Odder," while Mr King sent an apology for non-attendance. Tin) Head Master reported that the number of pupils on tho roll was 507, and that the average attendance was 451. Tho committee expressed tho opinion that the system of appointing pupil teachers should be abolished, and that trained teachers should bo appointed. In regard to tho question of handwriting, a motion in favour of the abolition of vertical writing and ihe substituting of freehand writing was passed, but tho committee expressed tho opinion Dial it would be unnecessary to appoint a specialist in connection with tho teaching of tho latter system, preferring that tho matter should bo left to the teachers. Tho Works Committee and the Visiting Committee presented reports of o satisfactory nature. Messrs Mitchell and Mason wero appointed a Visiting Committee for the.ensuing month.' Accounts.-amounting to £10 12s Gd wero pasted for payment, The Anderson's Bay School Committee- met Isst evening, there being present Messrs Lawless _ (in the chair), Bennett, North, and Bewitt. The Head Master's report wan received and considered, and some formal business transacted. Several small accounts were passed .for payment.

Tho monthly meeting of the High street School Committee was held last evening, when there were present Messrs J. 11. "Walker (chairman), W. Melvin, J. Sanders, W. Tay:<?r, D_ Wisliart, A. Taylor, J. Stone, and Dr Church. Tim Head Muster an average attendance of—lnys 249,' girls 250;— total, 409. Tiie penny bf.Mi deposits amounted to £18 17s Id, withdrawals £17 13s 7d, and tho total balance at tho credit of the school was shown to bo £232 5s lOd. Mr Smith, in his report, made certain- suggestions re term holidays, but after some discussion it was agreed that nothing definite should be done at present ill tho matter. The Visiting Committee's report was eminently satisfactory, and special reference was made by them to tho general clean*inc?s of the buildings and grounds. To ensure the financial success of tho schools' championship meeting, arranged by the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association, a guarantee of £1 was voted. The committee unanimously favoured tho abolition of vertical writing in schools, but considered the appointment of an expert to secure a uniform freehand style throughout tho province as impracticable. t