GERALDINE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1697, 11 February 1888, Page 2

GERALDINE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

The monthly meeting of this Committee was held io the scheolhouse on Wednesday evening last. Present—Messrs W. S. Muslin (Chairman), R. H. Paarpoint, G. Taylor, N. Dunlop, and C. E. Sherratt. An apology was received from Me J. Cunningham for non-attendance.

MINUTES,

The minutes of the previous ordinary meeting and of a special meeting were read and confirmed.

NEW BOOKS.

Be the change of reading books, the Chairman staled that he had written to the Foard of Education on the subject, but not having received a reply had advised the Head Master not to use the new books until he had received a reply.

A letter was rec ivod from Messrs Whitcoinbo and Tombs, Christchurch, with regard to the new reading bonk, the “ Southern Cross Reader No. 3.” The writers said the only reason why the book had not been sanctioned for general use in schools by the Minister of Education was that he was waiting till more of the series had been issued. They felt sure the book would be sanctioned, and hoped the Committee would not discourage their efforts to cater for the wants of the colony, to say nothing of fostering an important industry. A letter was received from the Head Master (Mr Aitken) enclosing one to be seat to the Education Board, and hoping the Committee would reverse the instructions g’von him by the Chairman not to use the books at present. Mr Pearpoint drew attention to the fact that in the face of the resolution passed at the last meeting of the Board, viz., “ That masters of school before using any new books, often involving considerable expense, solicit permission fram the Board through their respective Committees,” the Committee were uuab'e to grant ttie request, Mr Pearpoint said he had no objection to Mr Aitken’a letter being sent to the Board, but would certainly be in favor of recommending that the request to use the book be not granted unless the sauie bo brought into general use in South Canterbury.

It was resolved—“ That the Committee forward the correspoadenc# of Mr Ailkeo to the Board, and further write them that this Committee cannot sea their way clear to recommend the adoption of the book until its use is made general throughout the whole o! the South Canterbury Education district.” i?e the Chairman’s intimation to the Master not to use the books at present, it was resolved—“ That Mr Aitken’s request for the use of the book in the school o moot be entertained, as this Committee has no authority in the matter, and do not consider it desirable at present.”

INSPECTOR'S REPORT,

The Inspector’s report on the annual examination was laid upon the table, and was considered satisfactory. The report was as follows ;

“ Standard YII. (Teacher, Mr Aiken, Head Master) —Presented 2. Standard VI. (Teacher, Mr Ailken, Head Master)— Presented 6, absent 2, ' excepted 3, passed 3. Standard V. (Teacher, Mr Aitken, Head Master)—Presented 17, failed 6, passed 11. Standard IV. (Teachers, Mr Aitken, Head Master, and Mr J. P. Kallaugher, Pupil Te char) Presented 28, absent 2, excepted 2, failed 4, passed 20. Standard 111. (Teachers, Mr H. Smith, Assistant Master, and Mr J. P. Kalaugher, Pupil Teacher) —PreBoritod 58, absent 9, excepted 1, failed 12, passed 36. Standard 11. (Teacher, Miss M. O. Pearson, Head Mistress, and Miss F. Hawke, Pupil Teacher) —Presented 30, absent 2, excepted 1, failed 4, passed 23. Standard I. (Teachers, Miss M. 0. Pearson, Head Mistress, and Master Jus. Colbert, Pupil Teacher)—Presented 27, absent 1, passed 29>. Preparatory Class presented 79. , “Class Subjects— r Drawing, history, geography, elementary sciquee, etc. Percentage on class subjects, 67. Additional marks, 79. Percentage of failures, 17. Q. Rsiqarks—Olas? Standard VII. i Highly satisfactory papers were done by this class in the work of class Standard VI. Throughout the year the class has received instructions in Ifjfin and Algebra. Glass P. j The infant classes affl very well managed, The sPh°°l has P aE i*d a good examination I opdsr prevails, and due attention Is given to the manners of the echo ars. “ Fas. Gibson Gow, M.A., “ Inspector,

The Gooimittee said that under the old rate of 'calculation ia foro.s violas to 1886 this represented a percentage of parses equal to 87, which was highly satisfactory,

BUPIfc

A letter was received from the Board of £ iucution, stating that the Committee’s recommendation of Master R. Stonohousa to the position of pupil teacher hud been received, hht the Inspector hud reported he was unQt for the appointment through the physical defect of deafness, otherwise the appointment would have been sane-

tioned. The Board asked for fall ioforraation on the subject. The Committee expressed surprise at this statement, and the Chairman said he had spoken to the Head Master re the pupil teacher, and he (the Head Master) had expressed himself as pleased with him, also adding that he considered him a very clever boy. He had also spoken to the Head Mistress, who was well satisfied with him, and who stated that had it not hsen for the reports circulated that he was deaf she should have known nothing about it, having to speak to him in the ordinary tone of voice only. It was decided that the Chairman should get from the Head Master and Mistress full information on this point, and forward it to the Board.

VACANCIES ON THE BOARD

The Board forwarded the names of six persons who had beeo nominated to fill the three prospective vacancies on the Board caused by the annual retirement of one-third of its members, and asking the Committee to return the names of three. The Committee decided to vote for Messrs ft. H. Paarpoint, Melville Gray, and J. Talbot.

BIBLE CLASS.

The Rev. Mr Preston wrote, asking for permission to resume his Bible class at the school for two days a week, from 9 to 9.30 a.m,—Granted. master’s report.

The Master’s report laid upon the table showed the average daily attendance for the first week to have been 200. The attendance on Wednesday last was 207. The report also called attention to one or two repairs that were necessary. The repairs were left in the hands of the Chairman to have done.

NOTICE or MOTION,

On the proposition of Mr Sberratt, Mr Cunningham’s notice of motion was adjourned.

visitor’s report.

Mr Pearpoiot reported, on behalf of the visitors, that the school had been visited twice since it was opened. Everything wae progressing satisfactorily, with the attendance aa stated above.

Messrs Riordan and Dunlop were appointed visitors for the ensuing month.

ACCOUNTS.

Accounts to the amount of 15s were passed for payment, and the meeting adjourned,