SCHOOL COMMITTEES' REPORTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13875, 12 April 1907, Page 3

SCHOOL COMMITTEES' REPORTS.

CAVER-SHAM. Tlie following report will bo presented by the Caversha-m School Committee at tho annual meeting of bondholders: — Tho outgoing committee reports that tho school work continues to maintain its high standard of efficiency tinder the able management of the. stdf, which consists of Mr C. Young (head master), Miss Donald (mistress), Messrs Wilson, Melville, Kennedy. Misses M'Phcreon, Ash, Low, M'Gregc? (relieving toadicr), Master W. Walton, and Misses Voodhouso and Reirnie (pupil toachers). In April Mr W. Milr.e, M.A., resigned the position of .head master, which tosk place iru Juno, after a period of over '11 years of faithful services. Hie committee recognised tho

full valuo of so long and tried service, audi, trusts that Mb well-earned rest Mill ennblo him to enjoy for many years the pleasure of his family nnd follow citizens, Tho school, ranks third on iho list 10? attendance. Your cominitteohas hold 12 ordinary meetings and four special meotings, tho attendance of membora bains as follows:—Austin 14, Brown 12, Br-rectf. 15, Stawnson 15, Scario 15. Kntherfcrd IG, Todd 14, Thorn 13, Wright 15. Tho attendance at tho school for the yew 1906 was: — For quarter ending March 31, 527; for quarter ending June 30, 525*, ior quarter ending September 30, 511; for quarter ending Deosmber 31. 507; average attendance fcr tho year 517. Tho number of pupils oil tho roll was as fellows:— End of quarter ending Maroh 31, 653; end of quarter ending Juno 30. 552; end of quarter ending Soptembjr 30 548; end of quarter ending Deecmbcr.3l, 557, Percentage of average attendanco to average roll, 94; number of first clues certificates for attendance, .176; number of second class certificates for attendance, 76. Tho gaiieral health of the scholars ban Iwcu excellent except iu the infant and lower standards. The epidemic of measles passing over the district caused Ihe school to be closed for several weeks. V.'o would strongly recommend the incoming committee to favourably consider tho question of introducing swimming classes during tie next summer months. To health of tho staff hns been good throughout the year. Miss Barnctt, who wis gran-ted 12 months' leave of absenco through ill-health, did not take up her duties at the expiry of her term. Your committee had no other course but to recommend tho Education Board to fill up the vacancy, which has been done, and Mists Ross has been appointed to the position of fifth assistant. Tho school buildings have been thoroughly cleaned, distempered, painted, and repaired, also rooms in Standards I and II have had the ventilation and lighting improved. The boys' playplied has beeu rebuilt owing to a scyere storm damaging it, and placed in a- more suitabio position. last year the question of singlo desks was fully discussed, and tho coiuir.ittoe, through the Dunedin and Suburban Schooi Committees' Association, urged tie Education Department to consider the question of doing away with the old school furniture and replacing satao with lip-to-date seats and desks Wo highly appreciate the gift of the Caversham Public Library for its free annual mombor3' tickets to the best two boy? and two best, girls in English in the school. At tho annual examinations the inspectors reported tho work of tho school to be good, and showed that the staff h«d giveu its attention to it. The committee lias been represented on tho School Committees' Association by three of its members, who have reported irom time io timo the doings of tho association, which has been doing a good work. Wo would respectfully Euggcst to tho incoming comlnittoo the desirability of continuing its support, to tho associate. Wo dosfro to recognise tho Rorviccs tendered, by our jamMs. Mjs M'Knight, who has performed her dluics to the entire satisfaction of tho committee. The committee desires to convey it 3 best, thanks to the ex-pupils for tho hand-

.somo tablet in remembrance of our lat-o esteemed hc-ati-mastar, Mr Mi I no, MA., which ba.s been kung in tho echool. The committeo has provided a dux board, whereon. tho names of the duxes of the school will bo placcd. Mr K. W. Rutherford has pre«ontod io the school an oak tablet having a copper phito in commemoration of the death qc Lord Jvelson. It is to bo held by tho scholar who writes the best essay on a subject to bo chosen by tho committee. The 'committee, has Io thank the Fallen. Soldiers Committee for its largo iramcd picture in memory of thcjso Otagc. boya who fell doing their duty to tho knsp're in Africa during tho late Boar War. . Cadet Corps.—Number in the comnnny, 73, including 2 adult officers. Attcndaiico at woekly drill has boon very good. A full-dress parade of cadets is held once a month fori inspection of uniforms, etc. At tho annual break-up of tlis school a prize of a watch for the best-kept uniform 'wo 3 presented. So close was the competition for this prize thati it was dccidcd to award eight additional frizes out of cadet funds. A liandsomo medal was also presented' by Mr Searle for shooting, the iUivy League prise of one guinea for the bost shot in the 3rd Battalion was won by a cadet in tho Caversham School. The Cadet Corps was represented at tho Exhibition riflo championship meeting at Christchurch by ona cadet, who was successful in winning a prize. Si:: cadets entered for tho shooting competition open to defonco eadols and public school cadets, at the Otngo rifle championship meeting on March IC, and acquitted thonisolvea creditably. The conduct of the boys has been yory good; and- they take a great amount of interest in tho corps; the only regret, being the limited amount of shooting practice indulged in, owing to tho want of a-convenient range. T'ho abstract of accounts shows that tho roccipta from all sources, including balance of £53 2» Kkl brought forward, amouutcd to Its Id, of which £14 7s vras by voluntan* contributions. '.Hie credit balance at tl« '■ bank is £22 Is lad.