SCHOOL COMMITTEES' ASSOCIATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16003, 20 February 1914, Page 10

SCHOOL COMMITTEES' ASSOCIATION.

A meeting of the executive of the Dunedin and Suburban Schools Committees' Association was held last night; presentMessrs A. Miller (president, in tho chair), T. H.' Dalton (ox-president), G. Moir, W. Mowat, and M. Fracr (lion secretary). Inward correspondence consisted of letters from tho Hon. J. Allen (Minister of Education), in ro the Education Act; from Mr T. K. Sidoy, M.P., on tho 6ame matter; tho secretary of tho Garden Fete Committee in re a school holiday on March 4; and n remit from the North-East' Valley School Committee in ro a picnic annual holiday.

A good deal of general business was discussed and attended to.

Tho quarterly report to be submitted at the meeting on February 26 was approved. It stated that the executive had much pleasure in notifying that the resolution of the association relative to tho closing of schools for the Christmas vacation, which was parsed at the last meeting, was unanimously observed by the committees. A request was received from the secretary of tho United Trades Picnic Association:

" That the various school committees bo asked to close the schools on February 11, picnic day."—The executive, after duly considering the matter concluded it would lie in the best interests of the schools to grant the request, and due notification was given, and it was observed by nearly, all the committees, the members evidently being of opinion that it was wise to do so. In connection with this question, tho following remit from the North-East Valley Committee will bo submitted for consideration:—"That the question of recommending the Wednesday tradespeople (whoso picnic i-s held on the second Wednesday in February) to hold such annual outing during January, (-o as to avoid interference with school work so soon after re-opcning for the year." The Dunedin Citizens' Garden Fete Society had sent a communication -asking the association to arrange for u holiday for all schools on Wednesday, the 4th March, the day fixed for tho annual -garden fete, and the letter will be laid before the association for consideration. The secretary duly forwarded to the Hon. Jas. Allen (Minister of Education) tho resolution of t.he_ association passed at the last meeting, relative to tho election of school committees, and he replied: " That, other objections having been received afco. he tad decided not to make the alteration suggested, and that the law, as regards the nominatiin of school committers was left as before." Mr T. K. Sidoy, M.P., also wrote to the i-:onota,ry on tho same .matter, and cent copies of the amendment Bill as adopted. Mr James Ronnie, 8.A.. B.Se., head master of the Albany Street School, who has recently visited Victoria, has kindly consented to deliver an address at tho next meeting of the association on " Personal Observations Made; in Connection with Educational Matters in Melbourne.'' This should provo interesting and instructive, and will no doubt be appreciated by tho mem bore. It was decided to invite the head masters of the various schools to be present at the next meeting of the association. A vote of thanks to the chairman closed the. proceedings.