"THE GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOL.

Otago Witness, Issue 1024, 15 July 1871, Page 3

"THE GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOL.

The following is the report of the Select Committee of the Provincial Council appointed to ■enquire into the prospects ■of thia uasfcHnition : — Your Committee find the attendance to be 128 day scholars, 15 of these being constant boarders, and 15 day boarders. That the •dining room is very insufficient, being only in size 15 x 16 feet. The largest classw»om is 38 x 21 feet, and baa only seated desk room for 60, and that the remaining provision for class-room is that contained m the old Drill Shed, a detached building at some little distance from the main building. That this building is in a bad state of repair, and would lequire a considerable outlay to make it ordinarily comfortable. That it contains 1 class-room 30 x3O feet ; 1 class room 30 x 19 feet, lined and tolerably comfortable ; 1 side class-room 28 x 9 feet ; and 1 aide class-room for music 11x9 feet. Your Committee consider that this building altogether, besides being insufficient, is very inconveniently situated, being so far separated from the main building, and it consequently must be very severe and trying, upon both teachers and pupils, in passing, when heated from the excitement and exertion of teaching, from one room to another. Your Committee were informed by Mrs Burn that she has actually received into the establishment more boarders than the accommodation warrants, and that she has been compelled to decline receiving any more applications. Mr Hislop has handed to the Committee the following statement of revenue and expenditure of the School : — Mrs Burn £250 Ist Assistant 150 2nd do 80 Approximate charge against Girls' School for 20 hours per week visiting Masters of High School 250 £730 Janitor, say £25 Fuel, Sundries, &c „ 5J 75 £805 J27 Pupils at £8 each 1016 In favour of School £211 Mr Duncan and Mr Gillies, who had beeo members of the Education Board when Mrs Burn was engaged, having corroborated Mr Hislop's statement as to the understanding In regard to salary when the engagement was made, your Committee cordially recommend that that promise be fulfilled, recognising the undoubted success which has attended the establishment of the Girls' High School. Your Committee are unanimously of opinion that the old Drill Shed is unfit for the purposes of teaching, both from the state of the building and from its position, and that it is absolutely necessary for the continued success of the School that better accommodation should be provided. The success of the Girls' High Bohool warrants your Committee recommending that a Bum be placed on the Supplementary Estimates, sufficient to provide such accommodation fls will make a complete and thorough establishment. The Committee feel justified in making this recommendation, not only from the absolute necessities of the case, but also from the fact that at present the Girls' High School is more than self-sustaining ; and further, because your Committee feel convinoed that at no distant date oarthe selfsustaining capability of our Schools will mainly depend their future success. Your Committee have great pleasure in adding that, from numerous testimonies, Mrs Burn has proved herself to be in every respect highly qualified for the position she occupies as Lady Principal, and that she is well and ably supported by her various assistants. (Signed) Geo. Duncan. Chairman. Dtmedin, 7th July, 1871. The Committee, which was appointed on Tuesday last, on the motion of Mr Duncan, consisted of the following gentlemen •. —The Speaker, Mr Allan, the Hon. Mr Holmes, Mr Thomson, the Hon. Dr Menzies, Mr Bathgate, and the Mover.