TIMARU HIGH SCHOOL.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2569, 21 August 1899, Page 3

TIMARU HIGH SCHOOL.

The Titnaru High School Board met this morning. Present Mr W. B. Howell, (Chairman), Rev. G. Barclay, Ven. Archdeacon Harper, Messrs McCahon, F: FT. Smith, M.Smith, Richardson, Gibson, and Macintosh. The chairman reported that some of the fire bricks in the slow combustion stoves were broken. It was resolved to procure other bricks in the colony if possible, and if not to procure a supply from Home.

Mr McUahon moved, pursuant to notice-“ That the Board will allow applications from ex-pupils desirous of gaining leaching experience for a year, without renumeration at either the boys’ or girls’ High School.” Mr E. H. Smith seconded. After a brief discussion the motion was amended by adding—“ And that the Exhibitions Committee be empowered to draw up a scheme for regulation of appointments and submit to the Board.” The motion was then carried. The chairman said the head teachers were in favour of the proposal. Mr F. H. Smith moved pursuant to notice, and Mr McCahon seconded—- “ That the properties of the Board be inspected by the reserves committee and report to the Board at least once a year, the month of March in preference,” —Mr Smith and Mr Richardson urged that such action was necessary,as some of the properties were being negligently managed, noxious weeds being allowed to spread. The motion was carried. A request was made by a parent to be allowed to send two children to the school for one month paying for one month instead of a full term, as they would be leaving school at the end of the month.—lt was stated that there was a rule that in such eases half the term fee was accepted, and this was considered sufficient to meet the ease.

A letter was read from Mr G. Hedges, a tenant, contradicting a statement made at the last meeting of the Board that he had done nothing to get rid of Californian thistle on his farm.

Mr A. Allan. Steward of Reserves, made a special report on the case. He had visited the farm since last meeting. It was a bad time of year to look for the thistle, but he found two large and numerous smaller patches. He saw signs that the tenant had been trying to keep the thistles down by cutting them, and he was trying rotting them down with straw, but he (Mr Allan) did not anticipate that that would be successful. He brought some specimens showing that some had been out. The chairman said the Board could not expect the tenants to exterminate the Californian thistle, it would be ruinous, but they could be kept from spreading by n’oper treatment. Mr I’. ‘>mith suggested that they should be p.o ■ oited from running their implements ih.ough patches of thistles, as that was the way they were most quickly spread. Mr Richardson said the Steward’s report bore out the statement he had made at the last meeting. Mr Gibson said that the experience of some friends of his, farmers, was that nothing was so cheap or effective as persistent chipping down. It was resolved on the motion of Messrs Gibson and M.Smith - “ That the Reserves Committee be requested to make a special report upon the reserve occupied by Messrs Hedges and Daily, as to the steps taken to destroy the CalL fornian thistle, and advise the Board as to the steps to be taken to enforce the terms of the -lease; to employ a solicitor if necessary.” Mr Boyd, tenant of a reserve lot north of the Urari, interviewed the Board to ask for a reduction of the fixed rent for the second term of seven years. The rent for the first term was 325, and he had a reduction to 10s for three years; the rent for the second term about to commence, will be 16s 6d ; and for the last seven years 20s. He was much disappointed in the soil, as it proved to be nothing but shingle under the peat, no clay as he expected. Mr Gibson said the peat was like a sponge —in wet seasons it would grow something; in dry ones nothing whatever would grow, everything withered up. Mr Eoyd said the tenants of adjoining lands were paying 5s and 7s an acre, and thought they were paying quite enough. Except for twenty acres the peat was gone aypy and the shingle was fight up to the tqp. On the motion qf Messrs Barclay and Richardson, it was resolved that the Reserves Committee inspect the reserve and make a recommendation to the Board on Mr Boyd’s request, Mr W, M’Cully was authorised to erect a two-roomed cottage on his reserve, value not to exceed £l5O. The Inspector-General wrote acknowledging receipt of the Board’s resolution in favour of the examination of all the high schools. The matter would be considered, but decision deferred until he had seen all the high schools and conferred with Boards and Principals. The Headmaster reported 46 on the roll of the Boys’ School; and the Lady p vineipaJ f? 4 on the roll of the Girls’

School. The cookery class had been attended by 17 present and 8 past pupils. The upper tennis.court needed top-dress-ing, and the Board was requested to have it done.—The work to be done at the chairman’s discretion. The chairman stated that the Headmaster had spoken to him, supporting the request of the secretary of the Boys’ Games Club for a grant to their funds. He expected Mr Simmers would make an application next terra. The Board rose at 12 50.

The members of the Board then visited the school in acceptance of an invitation to from the headmistress and the cookery class. The Board and the teaching staff of both schools made a party of abouttwenty. The luncheon table was laid in the cookery room and presented a very nice'appearance, with its load of various dishes—fowls, pies, tarts, trifles, salads, etc. The guests, who were attentively waited oq by some of the class, did their best to qualify to act as judges, and when the time came for speech-making the girls and their instructor (Mr Budd) were highly complimented on the result of their efforts. The last speaker was the Rev. G. Barclay who formally recanted from the attitude of opposition to the classes which he had previously taken up.