HIGH SCHOOLS GOVERNORS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17112, 18 September 1917, Page 3

HIGH SCHOOLS GOVERNORS

A meeting of the High Schools Board of Governors was held yesterday afternoon. There were present: Messrs T. EL Sidey, M.P. (in the chair), J. Ross, W. R. Brugh, D. T. Fleming, J. C. Stephens, and H. Webb.

The Rector reported the death at the front of two ex-pupiia of the school— Private F. M. Kemshed and Private S. P. Spratt.—lt was decided to -send letters of sympathy to the next-of-kin of the two deceased soldiers.

Accounts and salaries amounting , to £800 were passed for payment. The Rector of the Boys' School wrote stating , that ho had received a copy of the Government's memo, of J-uly 13, "which mainly dealt with th© award of senior free places, and announced the so-called resumption, with altered conditions, ,of the system of accrediting, or recommendation by principals, which, in .spite of protests from many quartern, was last year suspended by the department."- The rector's letter continued: "Though I have airways been strongly in favour of the 'accrediting" principle, I have decided, after full consideration, and in entire accord with the lady principal of the Girls' BDgh School, to make no use of the recommendations system this year, but to allow all candidates to sit for the department's examinations in November. 1, A lengthy report was enclosed by the rector setting forth the reasons which had prompted him to adopt the course ho proposed.—A report from, the lady principal giving her reasons for adhering this year to the examination of pupils was also read. —The board decided to send copies of the two? reports to tho department. . A letter was received from the Southland High Schools Board asking what stepa, if any, the board was taking in regard to the payment of a war bonus to the staff of its schools. —It was decided to inform the Southland Board thai nothing had been done in the matter of a war bonus, as the department had not provided any fund for tho purpose Tho secretary was instructed to supply the particulars asked for regarding the salaries paid to the teachers at the Dunedin High Schools.

The rector's report, darted August 27, stated that tho total number of boyg upon tho school roll on the last day of the term, August 24, was 425, including- 126 seniors, 273 juniors, and 26 paying 'pupils. The corresponding totals for the end of the second term in 1914, 1915, and 1916 were respectively 337, 372, aod 424.—The report was received.

Tho lady principal of the Girls' Bacrh School reported, under date September 11, that tho number on tho roll far the month 504—72 senior free papfls, 225 junior free pupils, and 7 paying pupils. On th© last day of the term the gsrls packed the parcels of comforts destined Jβ Christmas or New Tear gifts for ony soWicas at the front. The mSnier of these was this year 109, thro exceeding that of last year by 16. Tho Ladies' Committee of the Overseas Club had despatched the parcels free of cost.