Invercargill School Committee.

Southland Times, Issue 4466, 1 November 1882, Page 3

Invercargill School Committee.

The usual monthly meeting of this body was held yesterday evening, there . being present Messrs Matheson (chairman), McKay, Trew, Manson, Yule and Sloan. The reports of attendance at the schools were as follows: — North Public, 197 pupils; Central School, 623 pupils ; average attendance, 496; South Public, 538 pupils; average, 440. The results of the examination of the schools by the Inspector were before the committee. That of the North School was laid on the table for inspection ; that of the Central was stated to snow an increase of 2 per cent, in passes; and the South School a percentage of 851, being also a considerable increase. Mr Orr reported that an alleged case of scarlatina bad occurred in the district, and the only pupil from that household had been withrawtt from the North School. Mr Orr asked that Friday after the Prince of Wales Birthday should also be a holiday. This was acceded to, on the motion of Messrs Sloan an.i McKay, after soine discussion, in the course of which it appeared that the available holidays had previously been granted. The headmaster of the Central School requested a refund of the cost of printing notices to be sent to Barents with reference to absent children. 'he clerk said the account had been rendered by the printer, but he had refused to recognise it, the committee not having authorised the work. After some unfavorable comments from members on the action of Mr Gurr in the matter, it was resolved . that the account be paid and that he be informed that the committee will not recognise any claims of the kind in the future unless the order is authorised. The action of the chairman in granting Miss Ham, teacher, leave of absence on a medical certificate was endorsed. Some discussion ensued on the submission o£ an account by Mr Clark, Wellington, for kindergarten objects purchased from him by Mr Gurr for the Committee some years ago and which had never been settled for. Mr Gurr, in a memo explained that he purchased the goods which were to be paid for from a grant ;by the committee. Mr Clark hud promised to put them on board the steamer at Wellington. From whatever cause they did not turn up for four months after, and Mr Gurr had by that time bought elsewhere. The goods were still unused. Mr McKay expressed the opinion that they must be paid for seeing that Mr Gurr had not repudiated receipt of them and had not returned the goods. As there were several points requiring explanations it was resolved to ask Mr Clark for these previous to dealing further with the demand. Acconnts for £25 10s were passed for payment, and the committee then adjourned.