School Committee Elections.

Southland Times, Issue 12120, 28 April 1908, Page 4

School Committee Elections.

MONDAY, 27th APRIL. The annual (statutory meetings of householders for the election uf school committee* took placo lent night a* follows SOUTH SCHOOL. About 120 householders, both men and women, were present at the South School meeting. Mr A. Bain, chairman of the outgoing committee was voted to the chair. Before taking his seat he took tho opportunity of expressing his pleasure at Hading so many householders present, and said that he took tho largo attendance as an Indication of increased Interest In school matters. Such an Interest was very encouraging to committeemen la carrying out their duties. Tho annual report stated that the roll number for the four Quarters ending March were respectively 753, 756, 703. and 740, and the average quarterly attendances had been 635, 610, 61.0, 653, the low attendances being accounted for by the prevalence of Influenza, measles and other complaints. During the year Mr W. A. Armour (Ist assistant) and Miss Henderson (P.T.) resigned their positions, the former having received an appointment in Boys’ High School. Dunedin, the latter going to Thornbury. The- Committee had been fortunate in securing a successor to MiArmour In the appointment of Mr A. Bain. jr. The position of P.T. to succeed Miss Henderson Is still vacant, but will, It Is hoped, bo tilled at next meeting of tho Education Board. The grounds had been well kept during the year. Little Interest having boon taken by tho children In keeping gardens, these had been removed. By the erection of the new infant department tho playground had been greatly curtailed, but the Borough Council had granted the use of the reserve on the east side- of tho school as a playground. The reserve had been thoroughly drained, levelled, and sown down In grass, and Is greatly appreciated by tho children. A piano and organ had also been placed la the school to assist in the Ringing class, ami had proved of great assistance to pupils and teachers. Tho Chairman, In moving tho adoption of the report and balance-sheet, made reference to the acqulslton from the Borough Council of a portion of the reserve opposite tho school. This had been rendered necessary through the curtailment of the playground by the erection of tho new Infant department, and the Committee had been able to make a very good bargain with tho Borough Council. The new Infant department was occupied for the first time that day. It was not completely-supplied with furniture yot, but that would no doubt bo forthcoming in due time. When the new school was furnished It would be wise for tho new committee to fix a day on which householders could have an opportunity to inspect It. The motion to adopt the report was duly seconded and afterwards carried without opposition. Mr Horan moved that a hearty vote of thanks be accorded to the members of the outgoing committee. Tho annual report and balance-sheet showed that they had done their work during the year. A great deal of dissatisfaction had been evident In consequence of tho recent appointment of Mr Bain, Junior, ns first assistant, but he (the speaker) was quite clear that the young man was a person eminently fitted for the position. Some opposition had been shown by teachers also, but It had been shown also that a great part of tho blame, or all of It, must fall on the Education Board. Committees must always remain; but there would never be a good system of education in New Zealand until Education Boards were abolished. —The motion was seconded by tho Rev. T. Harrington and curried unanimously.

-THE APPOINTMENT— Mr ilain then gave householders present an opportunity to discuss tho Committee's action in appointing his son to a position In tho school. Ho asked speakers to keep as near the truth as possible; there had been u good many untruths spoken and written, to which he would refer himself. Eventually he decided to set the ball rolling himself, as tho only speakers who tried to do so seemed at a loss how to approach the question. Ho first read that section of the Act which gave tho Committee power to make tho appointment, and showed that the Committee hud acted within its rights, and. to the beat of its knowledge, for he welfare of the school. Ho reminded householders that there had been trouble over every single appointment that had been made to the position of first assistant. On different occasions tho Committee had tried to appoint candidates possessing the qualifications of long service and high literary attainments, but these had met with no better reception. He held that the attacks of the Teachers’ Institute had shown bias, and were unwarranted, based, us they were on statements that were not fact. Ho defended the action of his son in seeking promotion in the school In which he had received his training, and he hoped to be able to show that the young man had won his spurs. in order to do this he read testimonials from tho headmasters of the South School, the Central School, and also from the director of the Technical School. These were undeniably favourable. Concluding. Mr Bain said that he considered that he had said enough to show that the Committee could Justify its action. Ho explained that when the appointment was being made he had offered to leave the room, but the rest of the Committee had asked him to remain. He consented to remain, but if there had boon a division ho would not have voted. He had never in any way sought to influence any member of the Committee or the Education Board in order to bring about his son’s appointment. (Applause.) Some discussion followed in which succeeding speakers found fault with, or attempted to justify the Committee’s action. Full explanations wore made by members of the Committee who substantiated Mr Bain’s statements. Tho opposition was, however, fairly strong, at times also fairly noisy. Hr J. Griffiths moved that the meeting express its satisfaction with the Committee’s action In appointing Mr Bain, jnr.. and also with tho explanations given.—This motion was teconded by Mr Charley Lambeth, and carried unanimously with applause. The election of the Committee was then proceeded with. Eighteen nominations were received. After a ballot the following were elected:—Messrs J. Stead (90). T. A. Cushen (78), A. Bain (77). F. L. Vickery (7U), A. McKay (09). McCulloch (04). W. Cook (82), C. ,S. LougueC (02). and W. Lewis (61). Mr Longuet replaces Mr J. Stewart, the only member of the old commute not returned.—Mr Bain thanked tho householders present fnr a renewal of their confidence in himself and his colleagues. A hearty vote m thanks was accorded to the headmaster and staff of tho school. The sc ru-

tineors, whose services at the meeting were more than usually arduous, were also accorded a vote nt thanks. A meeting of the new I ommitlce was hold after the general meeting. Mr A. Bain was reelected chairman: Mr Stead, treasurer: and Mr \V. Taylor, secretary. The date of meeting was fixed for the third Tuesday in each month, as formerly. MIDDLE SCHOOL. About fifteen householders attended the annual meeting at the Central School. Mr K. Harlow was elected to the chair. The annual report stated: Your committee report having held during the year eleven general and two special meetings. The attendances of members were as follows ; Ashley. If. (}., 10: Barlow, E., 13: Brown. O. 8.. U: Bellworthy. J., S ; Dow. 13 ; Hale, Rev. K. If.. 9 : Ihbotsnn, H., 4 ; defecate. If. d.. 13 ; Simon. 12.—At the first meeting of committee, held Immediately after householders' meeting. Mr K. Barlow was elected chairman and Mr F. Simon treasurer. Mr J. England was re-elected secretary.—The school attendance during the greater part of 1907, in common with that of schools throughout the dominion, suffered noticeably from epidemic sickness. The averages for tho respective quarters were as follows : 509. 457. 503. 525. For the previous year the corresponding numbers were 526, 530, 529 and 532. By the substitution for tho lowest quarterly average of that of the corresponding quarter of the previous year, the school was maintained In its grade (511 to 500).—The staff has undergone little change—none, except In the pupilteacher section. The most recent appointment was that of Master Watson, transferred from Otnutau, As tho circumstances of the school required a female teacher. Master Watson was further transferred to Woodlands ; and his place has not yet been filled, the duties of the position being temporarily discharged by paid monitors.—Tile annual examination of the school was held during the week ended 6th December. 1907. The report of tho inspectors shows that the several classes made fully satisfactory progress, while S. 6 class was accorded an unusually large number of proficiency certificates.—The expenditure on firewood and on repairs has been greater than ordinary, and a typewriter purchased for school use coat ■CI7 Ids. As a consequence, (he balance-sheet .'■hows a deficiency of £39 2s lOd. To meet this an entertainment was prepared by the head teacher. assisted by some members of the staff, the proceeds of which will more than enable the deficiency to be met.—Tiie annual railway excursion was not attended so well as usual, probably because lor such a short journey (Ocean Beach), the special fare is not appreciably lower than tho ordinary fare.—The Savings Bank continues to be made use of by a large section of the pupils, though tho total funds do not augment with the rapidity observed in the earlier stages of Its existence. This is due to the circumstance that the withdrawals aro now more numerous, sometimes equalling or exceeding the deposits. Over 500 accounts have been opened since tho establishment of the bank, and the number active has averaged about 300. Tho accumulated funds amount at present to nearly £3oo.—Some improvements have been promised by tho Board —Standard 6 room to bo furnished with up-to-date"desks and new outbuildings to be erected. The boys’ playground needs to be raised In the central part by the addition of gravel, so that the water may drain off more quickly after tile rain. The flagstaff is badly In need of painting. It would be well, it possible. to have these improvements (the gravelling and painting) effected before winter. The Chairman, in moving the adoption of (lie report, referred to the illness of Mr tbbotson. who had consequently been unable to attend many of the Committee meetings. The average attendance of the school had kept up wonderfully, considering the fact that tho school was handicapped through being situated In tho business portion of the town. If the Education Board carired out the proposed alteration in connection with Bark School, the Central School would

(lien have a bigger area to work on and would probably got a good many rjiplln from that quarter. The Committee was well satisfied with the .staff as at present constituted, and If it did not suffer irom any change It would probably show oven better work next year. Although the expenditure for firewood was growing heavier and the balance for the year was on the wrong side, with the money from tho recent entertainment, the new Committee need have no financial trouble in that respect. The purchase of a typewriter, at a cost of £l7 10s, for the use of tho school, was erred to as a wry necessary expenditure. The Savings Bank bad been taken advantage of and the accumulated funds had Increased by £73 during the year. The promises of Hu* Guard with regard to improvement}! had never bscn fulfilled. The uptoker referred to the opinion o I the Inspector-General concerning the fact that the single desks had not been tho success that was anticipated. They required so much floor space that the eyesight of the pupils was in danger of being strained, ho that It would appear that they hud their disadvantages as well as their advantages. Mr W. B. Scandrett seconded the adoption of the report, stating that the Committee had had a very satisfactory year. The only unsatisfactory feature was the decrease in the number of pupils, but that was inevitable In a well settled part of the town where there were no additional pupils to draw from. Th» shifting of Park School would tmprova matter* in this vw■ Tk» laitltution o I tk« Sivlan Bank wai

a capital more to encourage thrift on the part of the children.

Mr Simon spoke In compllinoutary terms of the work done by the teachers during the past year as evinced by the record of tho 6th standard which was the test class of the school. After touching upon tho necessity for Improved sanltsry arrangements which hail been promised by the Board, ho spoke of the duly of the parents to still further help the school by Increased donations to the funds.

Mr W. N. Stirling complimented the stall on the gratifying report which had been made by tho Inspector. lie explained briefly what were the Intentions of the Hoard with regard to Improved desk accommodation and the Installation of thoroughly sanitary outhouses. The Committee and stall bad every reason to be thoroughly iiatlsllod ’.villi the splendid record of the school. Mr Jofcoato deprecated tho comparatively small attendance of householders. Referring to the typewriter as a very satisfactory acqulstton to the school he pointed out the great saving in printing which would ensue. The report and balance-sheet were unanimously adopted. The following Committee was elected: —Messrs 11. G. Ashley, K. Barlow. .1. Bellworthy, G. B. Brown, J. iinw, Grant. H. J. Jofooate, and T. Simon, and the Rev. F. 11. Hale. On the motion of Mr Simon it was resolved that It be an instruction to the incoming Committee to procure wall charts, inscribed with the ten commandments, to be hung up in the different class-rooms. Votes of thanks to the retiring Committee and to the staff for a successful year’s work and for tho exceilent entertainment which they had organised and which had been successful in liquidating the debt of tho Committee were carried. At a subsequent meeting of the Committee Mr T, Simon was elected chairman, Mr K. barlow treasurer, and Mr J. England secretary. PARK SCHOOL, At the annual meeting of the Park School there was a very poor attendance of householders, and several of iho Committee were also absent through being on a visit to Australia with the Dominion bowling team. The business was somewhat prolonged, difflculty being experienced in finding a man to take tho position of secretary, but after a deal of persuasion Mr Wildermoth consented to take the position till a secretary could be obtained.

A letter was received from the Education Board In regard to tho closing of tho Park ami Walhopal schools and the erection of a school In a position to suit the children attending both. Mr .las. Ward spoke at length. He said that he considered It would be a grave injustice if the Park School wore closed, and considered that the Committee should advocate an addition to the school, which would meet requirements for some time to come. The meeting resolved that Messrs Ward, Taylor and ihe Chairman should wait upon the Education Board and place their views before it.

The annual report stated that the attendance for the year was 278, as against the roll number of 290, which Is about the same aa the previous year. The Committee hopes that now that the school grounds are In such good order the coming winter will see an Increased attendance. The Committee began the year with Us 7d and ended with 5s Bd. During the year a great deal of extra expenditure had been incurred in asphalting the grounds and buying a piano for the infant room. The school had fairly success*ul year. The headmaster was greatly handicapped through the children working up the operetta ••Cinderella.” and he does not consider It advisable to again attempt giving any performance that will interfere with the school work. The Committee is pleased with the smooth working of the staff and wish to especially mention the amount of time and trouble given in coaching the children for the operetta; also to mention the keen Interest Mr Stenhouso has taken in horticultural matters ami the beneficial effect this must have on the children. The attendance at Committee meetings had been particularly good, and the Committee is under a debt of gratitude to Mr Wlldermoth. who has so long managed the secretarial work. The report and balance-sheet were adopted without dissent. The following Committee was elected Messrs Jas. Ward. J. E. Taylor. N. J. M. Uein, Seifert, T. S. Mitchell. R. W. Elley. W. Adcock, \V. H. Mlddlemlss and J. Allan. Mr Seifert was appointed chairman ami Mr Wildermoth acting secretary. A deal of routine business was dealt with and a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the outgoing Committee. WAIIIOPAI. Only a lew householders attended the meeting at the Walhopal school. Mr W. A. Stout who was elected to the chair, ascribed the paucity of the attendance to the insulllclent notice given of the fact that the meeting was ti» hr held. The report of the committee was as follows ; The committee have to report that during the year Just ended they completed the laying-out and asphalting of a tennis court for the scholars at a cost of over CBO, of which the Education Hoard refunded half ; that they also made arrangements for the use of a football ground for the toys, Mrs Thomson, of Lennei, having very kiudly given the use of an aero of ground at the end of Duke street for the purpose.—The break-up ceremony and distribution of prizes took place, as usual, shortly before Christmas, and the committee were gratified at the great interest shown in the school by the large and representative attendance of parents and friends on the occasion, and the school is much indebted to the residents of the district for their liberal donations of money to buy prizes.—The number of scholars on tho roll h;is steadily Increased during the past year, but the average attendance was kept comparatively low through successive epidemics of illness : notwithstanding this, however, the average attendance for the year exceeded 150, thus entitling the school to the services of an extra teacher. Miss H. Carswell, an Invercargill young lady with a good record of service in other schools

in Southland, was appointed as second assistant. Miss Carswell assumed her duties on Ist March, and, pending her doing so. Mr H. McChesney, a former teacher in the school filled the position of temporary assistant. Mr N. Cowie, pupllteacher, resigned at the close of the year, and Mr S. Held was appointed to All the vacancy. Miss Mullay, another pupil-teacher, also resigned nr the beginning of March in order to attend the training college at Dunedin ; Miss Webb, of Thornbury. was appointed in her place, and immediately took up her duties.—Since the school resumed after the New Year the attendance has further considerably increased, the number on the roll now standing at 21S, the average attendance for the first quarter being 198 and for the last week of the quarter 20U. If this average of 200 J Is maintained for the year, tho school will be entitled to another assistant teacher.—The increase it*, the attendance has had the effect of greatly over-crowding the school—so much, that one of the classes has bad to he taught iu the playshcd. The committee applied to the Board for an addition to the school to cope with this difficulty, and the matter is now under consideration. The Board, however, is considering the adoption of a wider scheme, namely, the abandonment of the present school and its site and the erection of a large brick school on the Collegiate Reserve at the end of Alice street, so that the new school would serve both Gladstone and Avenal. This step la forced on the Board owing to the small space available on the present school site and the unsuitable nature of the ground.—The annual picnic was held a’. Colac as uusal. The weather was very line, and the attendance constituted the record.—The committee wish to place on record its sincere sympathy with Mr F. C. Smith, one of its members, In his affliction, and also to record its appreciation of his services during the term of his service on the committee.—The- committee feel it right to put on record the high state of efficiency of the school in general education, and particularly the success attained by certain of tho scholars in the scholarship examination in the Invercargill Competitions and In the Navy League Brize Essays.—Twelve ordinary and five speclaV meetings were held during the year. The number of special meetings was unusual and due to a number of special questions arising during the year. The attendance of members was ns follows ; Stout and Sievwright 16. Nalder 15. Baker l‘J. Hlskens 12. McChesney 11 and Smith 10. In moving the adoption of the report. Mr Stout referred to the overcrowded state of the school, which, he said, would be Intensified during the coming year. It was quite on tho cards that the average attendance would bo 200, which would entitle them to another assistant and would make the overcrowding worse than ever. He said that the old committee were In favour of the Board’s proposal to build one large up-to-date school to serve both the Park and Walhopal school districts. He went on to say that strenuous opposition might be expected from the Park School Committee, but they had to consider what was in the best interests of education in the district. He then referred to the high slate of ctficlcncy of tlie school, but said that that was nothing new to those who had followed tho work of the school. If anything. Mr McNeil was Improving on his past record and the committee desired to express its acknowledgment that a large part of the credit earned by the school was due to Mr McNeil, the headmaster. Mr Stout then feelingly referred to the ■ sad affliction of Mr F. 0. Smith, whose services as a member of the committee had been very much appreciated. The motion re the adoption of the report was seconded by Mr Sievwright and carried. The balance-sheet, on the motion of Mr Webb, seconded by Mr Hlskens. was also adopted unanimously. The following committee was elected Messrs W. A. Stout. J. R. Webb, 10. Nalder, J. J. Hlskens, F. McChesney. R. Winders, and H. F. S. King. A vote of thanks was passed to (lie retiring committee.

At a subsequent meeting of the newly elected committee, Mr W. A. Stout was re-elected chairman. and Mr C. E. Nalcler nB secretary and treasurer. NORTH INVERCARGILL. The meeting was attended by flvo members of the retiring committee, Messrs A. J. Gammon, J. Robertson, .las. Harper, F. Pearce, and A. Williams. Mr A. Mitchell sent a written apology for non-attendance on account of Indisposition, but not I lied that •he was willing to accept reelection should the meeting so desire. Mr Garnison was voted to tno chair. The secretary (Mr Williams) In reviewing the past year, said that the worn done by the staff, as judged by the Inspector’s report on the annual examination, had bean eminently satisfactory. A pleasing feature had been that one of the pupils, Miss Hines, hail gained a scholarship. The school attendance all through had been fairly good, the figures being . Ist quarter out of roll number of 161, 2nd quarter 1.18—160, 3rd quarter Hl—lsß, 4th quarter 116-156. This gave an average attendance for tho year of 12S pupils out of a roll number of 151). Roth roll' number and attendance had, therefore, been regular. During tho winter there had been a alight falling off In consequence of the sickness then prevalent. More recently the removal of several families from the district hail somewhat adversely affected the attendance, but during the current year a slight Increase was again showing. Mention was made of the general good conduct of the school and scholars, of the* financial and social success of a concert held in aid of the prize fund, and of the annual picnic excursion to Colac Hay. The school grounds and outbuildings had been put in good repair and were in a satisfactory condition. Enquiries hud been made us to the opinions of householders regarding the school and school work, and It had been found that parents were well satisfied with things generally. The balance-sheet showed a credit balance of US 10s 2d. The year had been started with a credit of Cl U>s, and the receipts had been CSO Ss lid, against an expenditure of C4l 18s Sd. The main items were:—Receipts—ordinary grant L’9 10s, special .Cl 11s, voluntary contributions C l 19s 6d. picnic surplus 9a 3d, concert proceeds CIO 6s 6d : expenditure—cleaning Cl 78s 6d. repairs JCS 16s 6d. books, maps anil furniture C 6d. prizes £7 12s. Report and balance-sheet were adopted, comment being made on the harmonious manner In which the members of the committee had worked. A vote of thanks was passed to the school staff for the hard work done during the year and the excellent results obtained. New Committee.—The following were nominated. and declared duly elected : Messrs A. J. (Jamison, J. Robertson, Jas. Harper, F. Pearce, A. Williams and A. Mitchell. Another member

is required to fulfil statutory requirements, and it is probable that Mr Cooper will bo recommended for the position. If he be elected, this will be the re-election of the retiring committee, in toto. At a subsequent meeting of the committee Mr (Jamison was re-elected chairman and treasurer, and Mr Williams secretary. THE SYLLABUS. ON A LONG TRIAL. Per United Press Association. AUCKLAND. April 27. At to-night’s meeting of householders In connection with the election of City Schools Committoes, Mr I'. M. Mackay, retiring chairman, drew attention to the unweildlness and vagueness characterising the syllabus of instruction. He said that the late Minister of Education had declared that the syllabus was on its trial, but though it had had more than enough of a trial it still remained unchanged. He moved —‘’That this meeting considers that the Education Department should formulate a scheme for the appointment and promotion of teachers on merit, and that the present unweildy syllabus of instruction should lie recast into a more definite and intelligible form.” Dr Walter seconded tho motion, which was carried. During the discussion two householders declared that they had seen thrlr children going to bed crying because they were afraid their lessons had not been done right.

NEARLY A JURILEK. A rCKLAKD. April 27. Mr John Holland. M l'., was elected chairman ol the Avondale School C'ominltteo this evening | for the forty-seventh year in succession. lie : hopes to reach his Jubilee.