SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16977, 13 April 1917, Page 8

SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORTS

MAORI HILL. The tenth annual report states that the roll number on December 31' was 393, and the average attendance for the year was 362. Owing to the increase in attendanco an additional pupil teacher (Miss M'Elrea) has been appointed. Mr IWcett (first assistant) has been granted leave of absence to take up work in connection with the Y.M.C.A. at -the front. The pupils have interested themselvesi in patriotic work, and havo sent in to the various societies service bags, soap bags, balaclavas, scarves, face cloths, and also 126 pairs of stockings. The sum of £25 18s was contributed by the pupils to the patriotic funds, report on the annual inspection was of an excellent nature. Tho outdoor sports have not been neglected. Towards the end of the year shooting practice was carried on with the boys of Standards IV, V, VI, and great interest was- shown. Medals were won by James Mitchell and' George Campbell.. The Navy League branch consists 'of 183 mefnbers—an increase of 30 on last year. The school savings bank was taken advantage of by the pupils and the credit now stands at £49 17s 3d. Tho Bible' class is still being conducted by Mi- Wright, who has 120 pupils in.regular attendance. The school band continues to make progress under tho tuition of Mr Stewart. The receipts for the year amounted to £196 7s 10d, and the expenditure*? to £133 Is 9d. The committee again approached tho Education Board with a r view to having a new infant room erected, and the board has applied to the department for a grant to enable tho work to bo done.

GREEN ISLAND. The school, under Mr M'Donald (head master) and staff,., has maintained its hish state of efficiency. The head master' (Mr M\L»onald), through serious illness, was unable to resume duty at the beginning of tho year, but ho is slowly recovering, and hopes to be in his place again in a month or so. Tho attendances for tho four quarters ' were—322, 319, 335, and 338, the quarterly average being '329. Tho present roil number is 362 V Tho boys and girls of Standards V arid VI have received 'regular instruction in woodwork and cooking respectively, while both have had the attvantage of a course of lessons in swiming at the Municipal Baths. The band, under Mr Buchanan, practised assiduously during the year. Mr Kilpatrick maintained his weekly Biblo lessons to the standard classes. Tho school branch of tho Navy League is a strong one. ' The teachers and children do good work in connection with tho various patriotic calls, and contributed 1500 articles. The fund in connection with tho honours board to be placed in the school at the termination of the war stands roughly at £19. The ox-pupils of tho school who have made tho greater sacrifice since last annual meeting are M. Poland, Walter Russell, and W.. Simpson. Tho balance sheet shows a credit of £24 10s 2d, but this amount :n----cludes the grant for the' ensuing tlrrce months.

PORT CHALMERS. The committeo reports that the attendances were:—.Tune quarter—primary roll, 450; attendance, 427; secondary roll. 24-; attendance, 23. September quarter—primary roll. 456; attendance, 420; secondary roll. ■25; attendance, 21. December quarter— primary roll, 468: attendance, 443; secondary roll. 23; attendance, 20. March quarter —primary roll, 452; attendance, 436; secondary roll. 27: attendance. 26. As a result of the examinations tho report was marked " very good." Woodwork, cookery, and school garden classes have been continued throughout the year. Tho ministers of tho town still conduct Bible classes, and that held on Wednesday mornings has practically all the children present. The children still continue to work for our boys at the front. A large number of articles of various kinds have been made by them during the year. They have boon foremost in the raisins of funds, having subscribed £27 to the Patriotic Fund. Tlio school band, under tho directorship of tho rector, lias teen ever prominent. Since the commencement of tho war upwards of 220 expupils have gono to fight for tho Empire. Death has claimed a numbox, and many liavo been .wounded. The balance brought forward from last year was £27 Us 2d, and the receipts during tho year were. £122 12s 10d. miking a total of £150 4e. Tho expenditure was £120 16s 4d, leaving a credit balance of £29 7s 8d: