GERALDINE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1581, 14 May 1887, Page 2

GERALDINE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

The monthly meeting of this Com. mittee was held in the schoolhouse od Wednesday evening last. Present— Messrs Maslin (Chairman), Cunaingham, Pearpoint, White, Riordan, Q. Taylor, and C. E. Sberratt. MINUTES. The minutes of previous meetings were read ond confirmed. chairman's statement. The Chairman stated that the applications for the position of Second Mister should have been before them, but owing to some oversight they had not come to hand. They had gone to Waimate to the Chairman of the Board, and would be forwarded next day. He had consulted several members, and they had decided to close the school from WedDesday till Monday on account of sickness, in order, if possible, to prevent the spread of the disease. The janitor had presented his account, but as he (the Chairman) had no instructions he had not paid it. He asked for instructions. It was stated tbnt it was usual for the Chairman to pay the amount as it came due, and it was decided to follow this course in future. On the motion of Mr Pearpoint, the action of the Chairman was approved of. CORRESPONDENCE. A letter was read from the Secretary of the S.C. Board of Education, notifying the Committee that the sum of £ll 13s 4d had been placed to their credit for the quarter endiog June 30th. inspector's report. The Inspector's half-yearly report dated April 25tb, was read and considered highly satisfactory. It ran as follows : Staff—Head master, James Aitken, C2; mistress, Mies M. 0. Pearson,|E3 ; assistant, Albert Erskine, partial E ; fourth year pupil teacher, Jas. P. Kalaugherj fourth year pupil teacher, Harry Smith ; second year pupil teacher, Frances Hawke. Attendance—On roll, 236; average for last quarter, 188.8; average for last week, 191.9; present morning, 201. Classes—Standard VII.: Boys, 2 ; girls, 0; total, 2. Standard VI.: Boys, 4 ; girls, 2; total, 6. Standard V.: Boyi, 8 ; girls, 12 • total, 20. Standard IV.: Boys, 15 ; girls, 16 ; total, 31. Standard III.: Boys, 31; girls, 26 ; total, 57. Standard II.: Boys, 13 j girls, 17 ; total, 30. Standard I.: Boys, 17; girls, 14; total, 31. Preparing: Boys, 25 ; girls, 34; total*, 69. Totals: Boys, 115; girls, 121; total, 236. The head master, with some assistance from pupil teacher Smith, takes classes Standard IV., Standard V., Standard VI, and Standard VII. The assistant teacher, Mr Erskine, has charge of class Standard 111., and gets some aid from pupil teacher Smith. Class Standard 11. is taught by pupil teacher Kalaugber, and the preparatory olasies and Standard I. are taught by Miss Pearson, assisted by Mist Hawke. Classes Standard IV. and Standard V. are grouped for instruction in geography, and in English and history classes Standard V. and Standard VI. are taught together. Science lessons (ohemistry) are given to the group comprising classes Standard IV., Standard V., Standard VI., and Standard VII. For instruction in reading class Standard 111., which is a large one, is divided, Mr Erskine taking one part and pupil teacher Smith the other. The pupils of class Standard VII. are studying Latin, euclid, algebra, soience, and geometrical and freehand drawing, under the supervision of the head master, Eeraarks on Organisation, etc.—The organisation, as given above, seems well adapted to promote the efficiency of the sohool, and the work is very fairly distributed. Time-Tables—Tb'o time-tables relating to class Standard 11. and upwards were neatly drawn out, and appeared suitable. Miss Pearson's time-table, owing to some recent changes, was scarcely completed. Methods, etc—During my visit I had the opportunity of observirg the head master giving instruction in arithmetic, and I shall be surprised if his dear and methodical treatment of the subject does not produoe very good result. In his examination of the comprehension of a he easily sustain ad the interest of his class, and his well-framed and searching questions were osleulated to educate »» well at to iuitruoti

Mr Erskine, who is leaving for a new ap« j poinlment, is energetic and earnest in his J work, and, bb be gains experience, may be expected to prove a successful teaoher. The pupil teachers Kalaugber and Bmith are -■> zealous workers, and I was particularly well pleased with the method in which they conducted the reading of the classes entrusted to them. The preparatory classes and Standard I. are well managed. O \>r and Discipline—Satisfactory. Mannerß, etc.—Good. State of Buildings, etc.— In one or two places the spouting is out of repair. The flooring of the verandah, which was much brokenand in a dangerous state on the occasion of my last visit, was in process of being re* placed by a pavement of asphalt. The plaster work about the door-frames in various parts of Ihe building is much broken, bat before any repairs Bhuuld be begun the looks would have to be seen to, as their present state necessitates the order, as I beard it given in one instance, to ' bang the door ' in order to close it. Were the locks repaired, intentional' banging' would cease, and the plaster would have a chance of remaining. It is to be hoped that the means adopted to prevent the washing away of the ground by the river will prove effeotutl. It was pointed out to me that the late Mr Turnbull had built a stable at his own expense on the ground behind the dwelling-house. This stable is now being made use of by the present master, and may be looked upon m almost a necessary addition to the school buildings. I would suggest to the Board to take it over as a part af the Board's property, and, in justice to the widew of the late Mr Turnbull, and in consideration of her unfortunate position, to make compensation to her for his expenditure. Accommodation —Sufficient. Cleanliness, etc—Satisfactory. Bigietrition—The registers are neatly and accurately kept. Wants—(l) Map stand, (2) blackboard, (3) chalk compasses. Jas. Gibson Govt, M.A., Inspector. Be the stable, Mr Taylor moved, Mr Pearpoint seconded, and it was carried—- " That the Board be requeited to take over the building in accordance with the Inspector's report," Mr Cunningham moved—" That the Committee request that the Board's Architect be instructed to inspect the whole of the buildings." Their dated state bad always been a source of , expense and annoyance to th'v old Com* mittee, and would no doubt be the same to the new one. Mr White seconded the motion. Mr Pearpoint said instead of asking for the Architect to be sent out and report upon the present buildings they should take some steps to « nleavor to get a new school on the proper site, net on the present one. They were fouith on the list, and he thought they were justly entitled to a new school. He would move as an amendment-" That the Chairman and Messrs Sherratt, Taylor, and the mover be appointed a subcommittee to work up the various details required, and to make out a strong case to endeavor to obtain a new school." Mr Sherratt thought they were properly entitled to a new building, and low was the time to make a stand to get it. He seconded the ameudment. Mr Cunningham questioned if they would succeed. A new room bad just been built to the school, and if the new school was dependent upon the sale of . the present building be did not think they would get it, Mr Sherratt said there were almost endless repairs needed to the present building and also the Master's house,' outbuildings, and school grounds. Hi* opinion was that it they were as a body determined to support Mr Pearpoint's proposition there would be a probability of their getting a new building. Messrs Cunningham and White said they were both willing to withdraw the original motion, which was done, and Mr Pearpoint's carried unanimously. ' notice or motion, Mr Pearpoint said that in view of thr steps to be taken with regard to the new school he would ask leave to withdraw his motion r* coustitntiug the school a District High School as it would probably come better at a future time. Leave beiDg granted, this was done. master's report. The Head Master's report showed (he average attendance for the five weeks ending March lltb to be 188.89. A list of pupils' whose parents or guardians had made themselves liable to prosecution by allowing their children to be absent for more than half the time the school was open daring the March quarter was laid upon the table, and the names read,oyer. The suggestion was made by the Head Master that in a few cases they were possibly excusable by reason of distance. Some of the cases were very flagrant, in one case a boy having oDly attended twice during the quarter. It was decided to . instruct the Head Master to send the usual notice to parents re the absence of their children, stating the number of times they had been present last quarter, .. and that previous to handing the list over to the police the parents be given oiie; mora chance. TENDERS FOR ITJBI-. Tenders for fuel were then opened and dealt with as follows: N. Dunlop and Co.—Newcastle or Westport coal, 35s 6d per ton ; split black pine firewood, 20s per cord. R. Morrison—Newcastle coal, 36s per ton ; wood, 20a per cord. T. Powell—Westport coal, 42s per ton ; Newcastle, 35s ; wood, 2(b per cord. A. Sherratt—Wood, 20s per cord. It was decided to accept the tender of Messrs N. Dunlop nr.-i o'o. for wood at 20s per cord, and W' otport S5s 6d per ton. Failing his accepting the contract that T. Powell's at 20s for wood and 35s for Newcastle coal be accepted. DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL The Rev. Geo. Barclay attended the meeting for the purpose of giving some information with regard to making the school a District High School. Mr Barclay said that it was thought by some people that secondary educatioo was a -~. thing outside the Education Act, and' that it was something extra that two or three members of the Board were trying to force upon the ratepayers. He could assure them it was nothing of the sort. It was provided for by the Education. Act, and it had been expected by tu o framers of that Act tfeat application would be made for it, and clause 66 referred to such applications by Committees. He said it had originally been proposed that four of the larger schools should become District High Schooh, v'z., Waimate, Timaru, Temuka and Geraldine. The matter had been pressed upon the Government while he had been away in England, with the result that

Geraldine and Timaru had been left out. Titnarn had been left out because it had a High School with good endowments and vast machinery for education. Why they had left out Geraldine be was not quite sure, although he bad made enquiries. With regard to imparting secondary education In schools under the Board of Education, he happened to be one of those who had a strong and clear feeling about the matter. He knew, however, that all did not feel the same on the matter as he did. Sir Robert Stout and himself were precisely of the same opinion upon this subject. Sir Robert Stout's opinion was that wherever there was a school of any magnitude, with « master of sufficient standing, and the people desired it, nothing should stand in the way of it. Of course they could all understand where Sir Robert Stout was getting his idea from. It had been the great idea in Scotland ever since the Reformation. In Scotland they taught from the lowest up to the very highest Btandards, and it was this that made Scotland the bead in all university and collegiate pursuits in the British Empire. The reaeo •> mb that lads got their education at t' •• own doors, which enabled them to matriculate and go to the Universities. His opinion was that here they had masters all over New Zealand, highly qualified, to whom they had to give tolerable salaries, and unless the schools were erected into High Schools thtre.was a line drawn across, and it was made illegal for Ihe master to teach the things he knew. They must not go beyond the sixth standard, and it was only when it was erected into a Hi«b School that it vas legal for him to teach, and for th* boy to get anything of superior education. His own opinion was that where the people desired it, and the master was able to give it, nathing should stand in the way of it. He knew some differed from this view. Ho thought that could be accounted for iu this way. Some people seemed to coufound the District High Schools with the ordinary High Schools. There were only 25 Boy»' and Girls' High Schools in New Zealand, and the Boards of Education bad no authority over them whatever. As a rule they had large endowments. The property of the Timarn High School was assessed at the last valuation at £30,000. Each child at these schools, be supposed, cost the country £2O. Some people confounded these expensive schools with the District High Schools. Suppose they raised the Geraldine Sohool into a District the coßt would amount to almost nil. First of all, if boys and girls wanted secondary education it was legal to charge them fees. This was prranged for, and the Maßter was paid » share of those less- Possibly the staff might require to be strengthed a little, and in the case of Geraldine the expenditure to the Board would probably be another pupil teacher, at the cost of about £6O or so a year, in order to set the master's time a little more at hbeity for secondary education. That was what it would coßt the country. It would not cost the Committee anything, exc«pt those who required the secondary education ; then they would ha*e to pay. The scale was fixed by the Board at £i per year, and that would cover everything tbey might like to ask for. His opinion was that when the Government were paying masters good salaries tbey should get the work out of tbem. He then proceeded to iostruct the Committee how to set about having the school raised. After bearing Mr Barclay, Mr Tearpoint asked leave to still bring forward the motion standing in his uamo. This was given and be tbeo proposed—" That this Committee take the uecessarysteps to request the Board to form this into a District High School." He pointed out that a great many people did not agree with these District High Schools because they did not understand them. They were more for the poor man than for the rioh. It enabled a boy to live at his father's bouse and still get a secondary education. Scholars from Geraldine who now have to go to Temuka or other places | to a high school, would, if the school | were made into a District High School be able io stay at homo. Mr Oonningham thought it would be eivine the pupil teachers also a further

opportunity to qualify. He had great pleasure in seconding the proposition. The proportion being put to the meeting it was carried unanimously, Mr Barclay then gave the Committee some information as to how they should act in obtaining » new school. A hearty vote of thanks was passed by acclamation to Mr Barclay for the information bo had given, Mr Barclay then withdrew. ACCOUNTS, Accounts amounting t o £9 Os 7d were passed for payment. FINANCE. Mr Pearpoint complained that the balance-sheet of the,old Committee had not been brought down to the day of annual tneetiog but only i& the end of Decern- , ' ber. 'The new Committee were said to ! start with a credit balance of £5 2s 6d, when in reality there was a debit balance of £5 6s 4d, owing to outstanding liabih- . tieß. He aiiked if the old Committee were -justified in spending £5 upon the well without asking the Board for the money when they knew they, bad spent £2O of the incidental?, and when they knew that the new Committee would have to find fuel. He moved—" That their appears, by the accounts now brought forward, that ther« was a debit balance of £5 6s 4d at the time of the present Committee taking office instead of

a credit balance of £5 2s 6d, and that this Committee regret that the outgoing Committee did not bring down a statement of accounts to date of annual meeting." Mr White seconded the proposition. Mr Cunnißgham proposed as an amendment—" That the whole matter be dealt within this Committee's report to the householders at the annual meeting." The last Committee's report had been Adopted as read upon the proposition of Mr Pearpoint, seconded by Mr Stonehouse, and he thought the present disr cu'ssion was out of place entirely. It was going against the householders' motion that the report be adopted, and it conveyed a vote of cenaura upon the old Committee, He pointed out that the report bad been brought down to the end of December in accordance with a specific instruction from the Board to de so. Mr Sherratt seconded Mr Cunningham's proposition, and trgu«d that the former Committee was not to blame. ; The amendmeut was lost, two voting for it, and the original motiou was carried.

SECOND MASTER. The Chairman said he would call a special meeting to consider the application for the second mastership when they came to hand. VISITORS' EErORT. The visitors for the month reported visiting the school and finding everything working well, with an attendance of 103 boys, and 95 girls. They also mentioned sever d repairs that were necessary. li was decided to otirry out the repairs to tho extent of 10s. Messrs Pearpoint and Taylor were appointed visitors for the ensuing month. MISCELLANEOUS. Mr Cunningham asked that the coiresi pondence from the Board of Education re bringing the report down to the 31st December be lai'i upuu the table at the next meeting, when lie should move that the minute just passed be expunged. The it eetiag then adjourned.