Upper Pareora School.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 5014, 23 May 1889, Page 3

Upper Pareora School.

I lie ordinary monthly meeting of Pareora School comm ttee was held in the schoolroom on Monday evening. Present : J. Strothers (chairman), T. Jefcoate, J. Paterson, J. Campbell, D. Caird. The headmaster’s report was read as follows For the current month, so far as it has gone, I have to report as follows : —The average attendance since my last report has been 58. 1 noticed that the inspector in his inspection report, stated that the average attendance at the Pareora School is less than the average for South Canterbury as a whole. True, it is, but I fancy that there are not many schools in the Educatinal District which are attended by so many children from long distances,as Pareora School is. There are only about ten pupils within a radius of one mile from the school. Most of the pupils live between two and three miles away. Ido not think the Inspector is aware of these facts. I took the trouble to go over the registers and ascertained that on about half the days in the last eight months there were over 60 children present.” After reference to some small business matters between himself the committee, the headmaster proceeds:— “ And now, gentlemen, I would bid you all a farewell, officially. I have to thank you for your constant cooperation in every department of school work in which you could aid me; for your careful attention to my requests ; and for the unfailing courtesy you have always accorded mo as master of the school. 1 trust that iu years to come 'it may always be ray lot to have as good a committee to work with.—l am etc., J4B. A. Valentine.” Mr Valentine's resignation as headmaster of the school had been sent in on 3rd May and accepted with regret.

The Education Board’s voucher for £3 17s 6d, being amount of incidentals for quarter ending 30th June, and circular re use of schoolroom were received.

Tho visitor (V! r John Campbell.) reported all things going on satisfactorily, but a few small repairs were required. He also reported that the master’s house was in a very bad state of disrepair. The following resolutions were passed. “ That Mr Valentine’s share of rent of paddock, 355, bo paid as soon as the committee receives the money.” “ That the passage from headmaster’s report re attendance be forwarded to Education Board, and that the board’s attention i be called to the state of the master’s house ” “That the chairman arrange with Mr Valentine re books. “That tho chairman try to arrange with Mrs Wilkin to clean school for 6 months on same terms, failing that to call fresh tenders.” “ That tho repairs reported by the visitor be attended to.” “ That Mr Valentine having agreed to deliver a lecture in aid of the school funds on 31st May, the proposed concert bo post poned.” Arrangements were made for the lecture, for distribution of tickets, &c., and as parents and others in tho school district have subscribed handsomely, it was resolved to make a presentation to Mr Valentino at the conclusion of the lecture. The meeting then closed.