HIGH SCHOOL BOARD.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3343, 19 December 1883, Page 2

HIGH SCHOOL BOARD.

An adjourned meeting of the Board of Governors of the Timaru High School was held last evening. Present—Yen. Archdeacon Harper (Chairman), Rev. W. Gillies, Dr Lovegrove, Messrs J. Jackson, J. C. McKerrow, J, H. Sutter, J. Manchester, J. Talbot, and S. W. Goldsmith.

The last ordinary meeting was adjourned to enable several motions to bo considered and dealt with before the end of the year. The first was moved by Mr McKerrow and seconded by Mr Sutter—“ That the ordinary meetings of the Board bo held on the first Wednesday in December, April, July, and October.”

After considerable discussion the chairman suggested (hat the motion should be deferred, and the suggestion was adopted, the mover withdrawing it. The following series of motions standing in the Rev. W. Gillies’ name, were then discussed :

“1. That in order to make the school more widely accessible to all classes of the community, the fees be reduced to £8 8s per annum for the senior department, and £6 6s for the junior department."

2, That the privilege hitherto enjoyed of a difference in rate of fees when two or more children are in attendance be abolished from this date.”

“3. That ten scholarships annually, of the value of £8 8s per annum, be instituted in connection with the school, to be open to all children in attendance at the public schools of South Canterbury, such scholarships to be tenable for two years.” “4. That no scolarships be granted to children in attendance at the High School as hitherto for the highest number of marks for the year’s work. This regulation to come into force at the end of 1884,”

“5. That a Committee consisting of Archdeacon Harper, Dr Lovegrove, and Mr Jackson be appointed to make the necessary arrangements for the first examination for these scholarships being held on or about 21st January, 1884.” “ 6. That after this year the system of prize giving be abolished, and in lieu thereof certificates of merit be granted to all pupils obtaining a percentage of marks over the class average; the position in order of merit to be stated on the certificate."

These were very fully discussed, Mr Manchester and Dr Lovegrove opposing that relating to reduction of fees, on the ground that it was unfair to burden the country for purposes of secondary education, and that it was rather desirable to raise the standard of admission than to lower the charges.

Mr Sutter moved as a rider that the fifth (the highest) class be charged 12 guineas. That was the class on which most care and labor was expended, and the most expensive teaching, and a proportionately high rate should be charged. The motions No. 1 and 2 were carried, Mr Sutter’s rider being negatived. Motion No. 3 was lost, and motion No. 4 withdrawn, and Nos. 5 and 6 appearing superfluous, Mr Gillies withdrew them.

Mr Gillies asked leave to move without notice Education Board scholarships be admitted to the High School free for two years from the date of their obtaining such scholarships in all cases where such attendance will necessitate residence away from the parents’ home, and where such attendance does not necessitate residence away from the parents' home, but the scholarship ceases at the end of the first year, free education at the High School be given during the second year.” Mr Manchester opposed the request and the motion was therefore held over till next meeting.

The Chairman and Mr Jackson were appointed a Committee to see to the printing of the prospectus ; also to have the interior of the school whitewashed during the holidays, and to report upon the suitability of the Board’s form of agreement with teachers. The Prize Committee reported that the £4O voted for prizes had not been quite expended, about 11s remaining, and asked leave, which was granted, to expend this sum in purchasing a prize for the best map drawing amongst the girls, a prize for that not having been provided. The next meeting was fixed for the first Thursday in February, the Chairman to pay December salaries, and the meeting terminated.