SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 75, 5 May 1914, Page 8

SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

ANNUAL MEETINGS. The annual meeting of householders in the North Canterbury town district was held last evening, when school committees were elected for the ensuing twelve months. EAST CHRISTCHURCH. Mr T. IT. Davey, M.P., presided at the meeting in the East Christchurch School. The report stated that under Mr 11. G. Wake the school had maintained its high standard of efficiency. The number on the main roll at the end of the first quarter of 1913 was 665, and the present roll number was 658. The main infant school commenced with a roll number of 216 boys and 215 girls, making a total of 431, and there was now a total of 394, with an average attendance of 319. The rhillipstown School had an average attendance of 309, with a total of 351 scholars on the roll. The South Belt School had a roll number of 107, as against 91 of last year. The report stated that the committee had started with a debit balance of £7 6/2, and had received the sum of £246 5/-, and had paid out the sum of £287 19/-, leaving a debit balance of £49 2/-. The deficit was larger owing to the fact that the accounts had been audited earlier than usual. In the No. 2 account (moneys raised separate from board grants) there was a credit balance of £3l 5/4. The following committee was elected: —Messrs A. F. Drayton (chairman), A. Peverill, C. A. Newman, F. B. Sapsford, A. Borrows, A. Allard, W. Harvey, J. Jamieson, and H. W. Piper (secretary). A vote of thanks was passed to the staff. It was decided tnat tlie incoming committee should be recommended to see that the heating of the schools was improved at an early date. I WEST CHRISTCHURCH. At the meeting in the West Christchurch School Dr Chilton presided over a fair attendance. The annual report stated that there were on the roll at the end of last quarter 690 children at the primary school and 210 at the secondary, and the average attendance had been 644 in the primary department and 194 in the secondary department. The secondary department had received ninety-seven new pupils since the beginning of the year, and continued to do good work. Seven pupils of the school secured junior board scholarships, one being second on the list; twelve others secured junior free places; four pupils secured senior board scholarships, one being second on the list; thirty-five passed the Public Service or senior free place (the old junior Civil Service examination). Of these seven were in the pass-with-credit list. Of eleven matriculation candidates eight passed and one secured a partial pass. In regard to the heating of the rooms of the school the introduction of stoves had been attended with much success. The balance-sheet showed a total income of £l6B 3/1, and an expenditure of £IBB 13/1, showing a debit 1 of £2O 9/11, but since the balance-sheet was drawn up the board had paid in their usual quarterly allowance of £4O. The following committee was elected: —Dr Chilton (chairman), Messrs E. Parlane, J. Middleton, VV. G. Sloan, J. M'Cullough, W. B. Bultitude, S. M'Murray, H. Holland, and W. Bob-, son. A hearty vote of thanks to the committee for the excellent work done by it in the interests of the school and scholars was carried, and Dr Chilton acknowledged the vote on behalf of the committee. Votes of thanks were passed also to the headmaster, the teachers and the caretaker. Mr A. P. Farrow was appointed secretary and treasurer of the new committee. ELMWOOD. There was a large attendance of householders, and Mr R. S. M'Kenzie presided. The report stated that the attendance at the school continued to increase, the number on the roll on March 21 last being 646. The marquee c reeled early in 1913 had proved very unsatisfactory, and it had been removed and a temporary building erected. As this building had been jn UV3 for nearly twelve months, the time had come when permanent accommodation should be provided. The work of the school continued eminently satisfactory. The balance-sheet showed the receipts to have been £196 11/4 (including a balance from the pres'lous year of £75 10/-). The expenditure amounted to £159 6/6. The picnic and prize account balance-sheet showed a credit balance of £22 12/11, and the improvement account a credit balance of £.1.2 10/-. The report. and balance-sheets were adopted. i A resolution was carried urging the Government to acquire more ground for the school, and in the event of the Government not immediately complying with the request, asking the incoming committee to call a public meeting to discuss the matter before the next election. The following committee was elected: —Mesdames Foster and Simpson and Messrs J. D. Frascr, H. V. Free, R. S. Gibson, W. Fleming, G. E. Dalmer, W. Jones, and C. H. D. Turner. ST. ALBANS. Mr S. Faulkner presided at the meeting of householders last evening. The report stated that the school attendance had been very good during the year. There were 720 scholars on the roll, and the average attendance was 650. The school had been very much overcrowded during the year, but temporary accommodation to obviate this had been provided by the Education Board. At the examination, out of fifty-two scholars in Standard Yl. who had presented themselves, fortyone had obtained proficiency certificates and ten competency certificates. Fourteen had qualified for free places in secondary schools. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. The following committee was elected:—Messrs E. Andrews (chairman), F. Cole (secretarv), R. Fletcher (treasurer), A. W. Hobbs, J. D. Colville, M'Farlane, Hassall, J. W. Beanland, Mrs Stewart. NORTH LINWOOD. The annual meeting in the North Linwood district was attended by about 50 householders, Mr W. H. Denton presiding. The report stated that during the year the school had been overcrowded, but three additional rooms were now in course of erection. The average attendance had been 520 out of a roll of 558, as against 490 in a roll of 527 in

the year immediately previous. The committee stated that the name of the school had been altered to Linwood. The general account showed a credit balance of £2 6/8, and the Bath Account, which had a debit last year of £122 17/1, showed a credit of £2l 14/3. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. The following committee was reelected:—Messrs W. H. Denton (chairman), H. J. Jamieson (secretary), R. Carter, R. Ellis, G. B. Gundry, H. F. Herbert, G. Phillips, W. Young, and W. J. Jenkins. A vote of thanks to the headmaster and his staff was carried. SYDENHAM. At the annual meeting of householders in the Sydenham School district, Mr E. Cameron presided, and there was a fair attendance. The report stated that the year had opened with a total number of pupils on the roll of 979, and had closed with 1041, the average attendance being 945.7. Forty proficiency certificates had been obtained by the scholars, and twelve children had received competency certificates. In athletics, the Sydenham School had obtained the girls' shield, and the boys had carried off the cricket banner. A circular distributed amongst householders, with the object of forming a library in connection with the school, had met with a hearty response, and there was every hope of its establishment. The balancesheet showed a credit of £l4 5/9. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. The following committee was elected: —Mr Congreve (chairman), Mesdames Webb and Hunt, and Messrs Cameron, Harley, Marks, Butterfield, Merriman, and Duncan. Votes of thanks to the headmaster and staff, and the outgoing committee, were carried. ADDINGTON. The annual meeting of the householders of the Addington. School district was held last night, Mr J. Down presiding. The report stated that there were 662 on the school roll, and the finances were satisfactory. The following"committee was elected: —Mesdames Robins and Merry, and Messrs W. G. Burns (chairman), M. Woodfield, J. Down, W. Downing, W. Bell, J. Spiller, and R. Walls. RICCARTON. The annual meeting of householders of the Biccarton School District was held last night in the Riccarton School. Mr C. Taylor presided over a good attendance. The report stated that the number of pupils on the roll stood at 250, a record in the history of the school. At the breaking-up ceremony for the Christmas holidays a number of special prizes, including three gold medals, were presented to pupils for special work, while every pupil received a suitable book. The statement of receipts and expenditure showed the total receipts to have been £55 10/6, including a. balance brought forward from last year of £8 8/-, ordinary incidentals £44 5/-, and sundries £2 17/6. The expenditure amounted to £53 13/5, leaving a credit balance of £1 17/1. The picnic fund was in credit to the extent of £lO 10/-. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. The following committee was elected: Messrs G. Forsyth (chairman), H. Manhire, B. Bueknell, J. Chaney, W. Lang, S. Townend, T. Raxworthy, C. H. Clarke, and W. Eaton. Votes of thanks were accorded the outgoing committee and the teaching staff. The balance-sheet showed the receipts to have been £9B 16/7. The expenditure was £9B 15/3, leaving a credit balance of 1/4. These figures were for nine months only, as the board had decided to close the financial year on the last day in February. The sum of £36 0/7 had been spent in improvements of the school grounds. The following committee was elected: Messrs R. H. Turner (chairman, J. T. M'Harg (secretary), J. Gudsell, J. F. Scott, J. T. Trerise, J. Hanan, E. J. Cooksley, W. Broadhurst, and J. E. Schneider. Considerable discussion took place on the unsatisfactory state of the headmaster's house, the greater part of which, it was stated, was badly wormeaten and decayed, and the following resolution was passed: "That the attention of the Education Board be called to the unsatisfactory state of the headmaster's house." WHARENUI. Mr E. J. Foster presided over the annual meeting of the householders of the Wharenui School District, held last night. There were 110 persons present. The report and balance-sheet, which were adopted, showed a balance of £1 14/4. The following committee was elected: Messrs F. G. Coombes (chairman), W. R. Palmer, W. Burgess, T. J. Stokes, A. E. Steer, A. Staunton, J. C. Church, H. H. Milne (secretary), and H. Gudsell. A resolution was carried: "That this meeting of householders protests against the action of the Education Board in not building an additional room for the scholars.'' PAPANUI. The annual meeting of householders in the Papanui School District was held last night. There was a good attendance, over which Mr R. W. Hawke presided. The report, showing what had been done during the past year, was read by Mr F. E. Jones. Ho stated that the funds for incidental expenses were insufficient. The opening of the Bligh 's Road School had been very successful, and it had brought up the total average attendance at both schools to 316. The committee ended the year with a deficit of £lO, but that sum had been transferred from the sports and baths fund, really private funds. The chairman said that the committee certainly was '' hard up,'' and the incidental expenses Avould be a greater difficulty in the future than in the past. It was a bad principle to take money from other funds to make up a deficit in the general fund. It was decided to ask the Education Board to make a special grant to meet the deficit on the year's working; to increase the capitation grant generally; and to erect a new house for the master. The following committee was elected: Messrs F. E. Jones (chairman), H. T. Hookham, M. J. Lynskey, R. Patrick, J. G. Kettle, J. Pye, A. Driscoll, W. H. Hodgson, and W. Marshall. BURWOOD. There was an attendance of about 40 at the annual meeting. Mr Salkeld, in the absence of the chairman, presided. The annual report and balance-sheet were adopted, the latter showing a very satisfactory sum to credit. Reference was made to the good work being done in the school, and a vote of thanks to the teaching staff was carried. The following seven householders

were duly elected to the committee: — Messrs Berry (chairman), Salkeld, Tobin, De la Cour, Bone, Partridge, and Thompson (secretary). WALTHAM. There was a satisfactory attendance of householders at the annual meeting \ of the Waltham School district held last night. The report adopted stated that the present roll number was 680. The average attendance for the year had been 641, and average roll number for the year 733. As usual the Inspector's examination reports were of a very gratifying nature, and the committee heartily congratulated the headmaster and staff on the successful report. The greatest economy had had to be exercised in carrying out the work of the school. The stringency, however, would be somewhat relieved by the capitation allowance of 3d per head promised by the Education Board. The credit balance was £l2 11/4. Hearty votes of thanks were passed to the headmaster and the staff for the efficient way in which they had carried out their duties, and to Mr Harvey and the retiring committee. The following committee was elected: —Mr C. V. Harvey (chairman), Mesdames Wilson and Williams, and Messrs T. S. Mortlock, S. D. Besley, H. J. L. Williams, R, B. Woodward, R. Waterson, and A. G. Watkins. RICHMOND. Mr J. Burgess presided over the annual meeting of householders of the Richmond School district held last night. The annual report stated that the attendance at the school had continued to increase, and the number on tb,e roll was now 766, as against 761 last year. The average attendance was 681, compared with 664 in the previous year. As regards finance, the report stated that there was a credit balance of £42 6/4. The following committee was elected: —Messrs J. Burgess (chairman), E. C. Brown (secretary), S. Pentecost (treasurer), P. Buist, L. V. Christie, V. Frazer, H. Kaye, G. Smith, and H. Langford. ' SOMERFIELD. There was a good attendance at the! annual meeting of the householders pf the Somerfield School district, over which Mr J. Hadfield presided last night. The report stated that the attendance had increased from 331 to 436 during the year, and that the new school at Beckenham would be ready at the end of the year. The failure of the Education Board to provide increased permanent accommodation at the school was severely criticised. The following committee was elected: Mesdames Clark and Forster, and Messrs W. C. Large, W. H. Joyce, G. R. Whiting, E, T. Martin, C. H. Inglis, G. W. Munday, and J. M'Cracken. Hearty votes of thanks were accorded the headmaster and his staff and the retiring committee for the good work done by them during the year. ■ OPAWA. The householders of the Opawa School district met last night, when Mr R. H. Turner presided. The chairman, before reading the report, referred feelingly to the death of the late Mr G. E. Collins. On the speaker's motion a resolution of sympathy was passed to the widow and family of the late Mr Collins. The report stated the average attendance showed signs of improvement, namely, 319 as against 305 last year. The roll totalled 381 scholars. At the end of the year twenty-four pupils had gained proficiency certificates. Following up the committee's endeavours for extra accommodation, the Education Board had erected a temporary structure to seat 84 pupils. SPREYDON. About 100 persons attended the annual meeting of the householders of the Spreydon School district, held last night. The balance-sheet showed a; credit balance of £7 8/10 on No. 1 ac-1 count, and a credit of £l6 6/10 on No. 2 account. The report stated that the roll number was 264, and the average attendance for the past year had been 234. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. The following committee was elected: —Messrs H. Ellis (chairman), W. Wills, C." Brown, E. Hole, T. Bloor, J. Peters, F. A. Cocks, J. Neal, and E. Hayes. SUMNER. At the annual meeting of the Sumner householders last evening the following committee was elected: —Mr D. Lumsden (chairman), Mrs C. Ferguson, Mrs Fountain, and Messrs M. Laurenson, J. Lang, K. Bassett, and C. H. Smith. The meeting passed a resolution expressing its sympathy with the School Committees' Association in its effort to procure more accommodation for the school children of the district. NEW BRIGHTON. The annual meeting of the householders in the New Brighton School District was held last night. The annual report and balance-sheet were adopted. The following committee was elected:— Messrs C. H. Winny (chairman), S. Ward H. Hawker, A. T. Hopkins, 11. Goodlands, C. Israelson, S. Paul, A. W. Owles, and E. Eastwood. WOOLSTON. At the annual meeting of householders in the Woolston School District Mr Roberts presided, -a"fi"d 64 persons were present. The report showed that the school attendances had greatly increased. There was a credit balance of £l9 8/4 on the balance-sheet. The following committee was eleeted: Mr G. S. White (chairman), Mrs Newton (treasurer), the Rev. J. Roberts, and Messrs D. Rowse (secretary), J. Ballantyuc, J. Prisk, J. W. Garton, and J. Gatehouse. It was decided to protest against the delay in carrying out the medical examination of the school. REDCLIFFS. At Redcliffs last evening a resolution was passed protesting against the delav of the Government in witholding fund's and so retarding building operations, to the _ detriment of the health of the pupils. The following were elected as the new committee: Mr S. H. Cummins (chairman), Mrs F. Sanson, Mrs Moon, Messrs W. Mulcock, W. A. Smith, G. H. J. Hincs, and F. A. Drayton. FENDALTON. The annual report showed that the roll number was 181, aud the average attendance 165. The year closed with a credit balance of £4 16/-. Mr J. Moor presided over the meeting of householders, at which twelve were present. The following committee was elected: —Messrs J. Thornton (chairman and secretary), E. J. Ross, G. E. Royds, T. Woods, J. T. Martin, J. Moor, and G. Judd. WEST LYTTELTON. The annual meeting of householders of the West Lyttelton School district

was held last night, the Mayor, Mr J. R. Webb ; presiding over an attendance of twenty. The report stated that the number on. the roll was 191, and the- average attendance 179. The balance-sheet showed a credit balance of £3 11/8. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. A motion was carried that the incoming committee should be recommended to bring under the notice of the Education Board the necessity of new outbuildings. The following committee was reelected:—Rev. E. E. Chambers, and Messrs J. Gower, R. Law, G. H. .Sneddon, J. D. Plimmer, A. G. Johnston, and A. Ealham. Mr J. Gower was elected chairman, and the Rev. E. Eliot Chambers secretary. e LYTTELTON DISTRICT HIGH. Mr W. C. Cleary presided at the meeting of householders. The report referred tf> the loss the committee and the school has sustained, through the death of Mr G. Laurenson. The average attendance throughout the year had been good, the figures varying from 438 to 488. The sum received from the Education Board during the year was £92 10/-. There was a debit balance of £l4 12/3, but it was stated that the year had closed on February 28. The balance-sheet showed the receipts for the period ending February 28 to have been £92 10/-. The expenditure was £lO3 13/6, leaving a debit balance (including £3 8/9 brought forward from the previous year) of £l4 12/3. Mr W. T. Lester referred to the item of £7O for the caretaker's salary. It was time that something should be done to improve matters. He wondered how anyone could expect a man to live on such a paltry salary. The chairman said that the sum was irrespective of firing and housing, which was free. The committee's operations were restricted by the amount received from the Education Board. A motion was passed expressing dissatisfactjpw at the amount allowed by the Education Board to school committees for incidentals. Votes of thanks were accorded the past year's committee, and also the teaching staff, particularly the headmaster, Mr E. U. Just, who, it was stated, had just completed twenty-five years' service at the school. The following committee was elected:—Rev. J. A. Hewland, Dr O. H. Upham, Messrs W. T. Lester, W. Brown, E. R. Curtis, S. W. Mitchell, W. C. G. Taylor, J. Piteaithley, and W. G. Carson. KAIAPOI. There were about forty present at the annual meeting of householders. Mr T. R. Leithead presided. The report stated that the year had begun with a debit balance of £2B, which had been wiped out, leaving a credit balance of £1 10/1. The attendance in the ;primary and secondary classes had increased and the inspector 's report was entirely satisfactory. The following were elected as the committee:—Messrs T. R. Leithead (chairman), J. Bryden, C. Hoskin, B.' Blazey, S. Thorne, J. Yellowleave, G. Miller, G. M'Gregor, and T. Mallasch. Votes of thanks were passed to the committee and teaching staff. RANGIORA. Mr W.' M'Gruer read the annual report, which stated that religious instruction had been given to the children by ministers, and by the Salvation Army captain, and that the classes hadbeen well attended, with satisfactory results. Votes of thanks were passed to the outgoing committee, to the teaching staff and those who had given religious instruction. The following were elected as the committee for the ensuing year: —Mr F. B. Lane (chairman), Mrs W. Will, Mrs Cobden Cox, the Rev. S. P. Fendall, Messrs R. Ball, J. Marshall, J. Sansom, H. Boyd and C. I. Jennings. The committee re-appointed Mr J. B. Wilson secretary. DARFIELD. The old committee of the Darfield High School was re-elected: —Messrs Robert Reid, James Reid, V. Gillanders, J. Calder, and V. Mulholland. For the two additional members which the school was allowed, there were only two nominations, and the Rev. S. Keen and Mr H. H. Reed were elected. Mr Robert Reid was again appointed chairman and secretary. IN OTHER DISTRICTS. Prebbleton —Messrs H. Paterson (chairman), E. Adam, R. Graham, T. Traythorn, Geo. Walker, P. Saunders, andW. Ash (secretary). Belfast —Mr W. Spencer (chairman), Rev T. M. Curnow, Messrs Jas. Halligan, E. Harris, J. Cleland, H. Watson, R. White, W. Firmin, and A. Lord. Southbrook —Messrs S. Kirk (chairman), C. Thwaites (secretary), B. D'Auvergne, W. Kirk, J. R. Maynard, R. J. Park, and R. W. Frazer. Halswell —Messrs, E. Paterson (chairman), P. Watson" (secretary), A. J. Clements, W. Gardiner, John Murray, M. Hodgen, and J. M'Drury. Ohoka—Messrs S. Pearce (chairman), C. E. Baynon, W. F. Young, F. J. Blay, W. J. M'Grath, P. Power, and the RevJ. S. Martin (secretary). THE WOMEN BUSY. Press Association. AUCKLAND, May 5. An extraordinary interest was displayed in the school committee elections, resulting in crowded meetings in the city and suburban schools, owing to the activity of the Civic League, which nominated women for the various districts. The league succeeded in securing representation on the city and several suburban committees.