TIMARU SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Timaru Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 1341, 7 January 1879, Page 3

TIMARU SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Timaru School Committee was held lust evening. MEMBEH3 PKESENT. Messrs Tate (Chairman), Mee, Evans, Cliff, Price, Green, and the Rev. Mr Gillies. MINUTES. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. CORBESPONDENCE. Correspondence received since last meeting was read and considered, as follows : — From the Education Board, stating that it was not able to grant all the requirements of schools for the ensuing year j but was, however, anxious to enable the Committee as far as possible to place the schools in a etafo of efficiency. It requested that th« Committee would send in an estimate of the required improvements to school property in time for the meeting of the Board to bo held on the Bfch January. Mr Price moved, Mr Evans seconded, and it was res. lved — "That the following works be asked for, in .reply to the letter from the Education Board: — The # roofing of the quadrangle, a cloak-room for the girls, laying out of the grounds, and two windows in the infant schoolroom ; estimated cost about £500." From the Evening Telegraph, soliciting a Bhare of the Committee's advertisements. EDUCATION BOABD BISECTION. The Rev. Mr Gillies drew the attention of the Committee to the fact, that the Education Act provides that between the Ist and 31st of January the nomination of new members tor election to tbe Board shall take place. There was no notiea before the Committee that night from the Board, that it had to nominate any new members. Notiee of the fact should ce*laioly have been sent to the Committee before the Ist of the present moni.li, and he thought some motion should be passed regarding the Board's action in the matter. After a discussion, the Chairman intimated that he would take steps to call a special meeting of the Committee in the event of the required notice from the Board being forwarded. SCHOLARSHIP EXAMINATIONS. The Chuirman wished to draw the attention of the meeting to an advertisement in the newspapers, 9tating that the examinations for scholarships, and the annual examinations of pupil teachers would be held early in February. Tbat was very awkward for the Timaru School. No intimation had bben forwarded by the Board that the examinations would be held in February ; tbe school bad broken up for the holidays ; the scholars were scattered to the four winds ; and the Committee would never be able to get them together again, in time for any of them to compete for the scholarships. The time fixed would suit the country schools very well, the scholars attending which had their holidays in harvest time ; but bow the teachers or children of the Timaru School could be got together in time, he oould not imagine. The Timaru Public School wus just made a kind of purse to get money out of for the country schools ; and then the Education Board treated it just as bad as it was possible for it to do. The Rev. Mr Gillies said that if the Board carried out its intention, tho Timaru School would not be in a position to send up any children to the scholarship examinations. If the Board really intend to exclude Timaru from the scholarships, let them do so, and keep the scholarships to th-mselves, bat let them Bay opeily that such was their intention. It was ultimately agreed, on the motion of Mr Mee, seconded by Mr Cliff—" That the attention of the Committee having been drawn to an advertisement, signed by the Secretary of the South Canterbury Board of Education, that the examinations for scholarships, and of pupil teachers, are fixed for February 6th, this Committee protest against thii arrangement, which, owing to the holidays, absolutely prevents the Timaru School from sending any competitors." MISCELLANEOUS. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr Green, seconded by Mr Price — "Tbat the attention of the Board of Education be direoted to the fact, that at the last meeting of the Board, held three weeks ago, certain works in connection with the Timuru School were authorised, and that up to this date no steps have been taken to carry out the samp." It was agreed, on the motion of the Rev. Mr Gillies, seconded by Mr Green — "That the Committee meet on Monday, the 27th inst., at 4 p.m., in Mr Tate's office, to consider the report for tbe annual meeting." On the motion of Mr Evans, second d by Mr Mee, it was resolved — "That the Timaru District School be re-opened on the 3rd of February." The meeting then terminated.