HIGH SCHOOL BOARD OF GOVERNORS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XL, Issue 3019, 28 May 1884, Page 2

HIGH SCHOOL BOARD OF GOVERNORS.

An ordinary meeting of the Timaru High School Board of Governors was held at their offices, H'\in Eoid, yoßtorday morning. MEHBKES PRESENT. Yen. Archdeacon Hirper (Chairman), the Eev. William Gillie*, Captain Suiter, and Moaarß J. Talbot and J. Jiokson. MINDTES. The minut?B of the latt meeting were read and confirmed. BEOTOB's BBPOET. The KectVa report to dale showed that there Here 54 boys and 54 girls now m atteßdance at the school ; and after roferring briefly to the question of the recent school holidays, concluded by etating lhat the institution was m the beat of order and that everything was working most satisfactorily. BBFOBT ON BESEETB3. The Rev. Mr Gillies and Mr Talbot, the sub-Committee appointed to report on tbe Board's reserves, stated that after consideration they did not recommend that any further building* should be erected than as embodied Hi the draft of lease. They recommended that thoie reserves the lease* of which expire on the 31st October, be advertised at onco a9 open for application. A letter was alas received fi-om Mr M. J. Knubley forwarding draft of leaee for reserves 940 and 942. The draft of lea^e was carefully gone through by the Boari, and on the suggestion of the Rev. Mr Gillies one or two alteratiocg were made. It wbb resolved on the motion of Mr Jackson, Beoonded by Mr Sutter "That the report of the sub-Oommittee be adopted, and that the same Committee attend to the carrying out of the same, together with the Chairman and the mover." — Curried. YEW MEMBEE. Mr Sutter moved and Mr Jackson seconded "That Mr Willhm Balfour be chosen a member of this Board, to represoot the County Council of Geraldine, m room of Mr J. C. McKerrow, resigned." Mr Suiter said bii obj- ct m proposing Mr Balfour was because he had ohildrjn attending the High School, and that residing m a part of the Cjuoty nigh at band to town he conld attend tbe meetings easily. As Mr Talbot. lived m the other half of the County, he (Mr Sutter) therefore thought it a fair division of the County. The motion on being put waa carried unanimously. While (his matter was under consideration, a letter was read from the U-ersldine County Council, dating they had appointed Mr Amos Sherralt to the vacant post on tho Board. It W8! pointed out Lhat this was a inist&ke ; that the Council had acted contrary to the provisions of the Act. Mr G. C. Miles (ihe Secretary) said he had written to the Council to lhat effect. FIHAXCIAL In reply to a letter received from Mr Chieholm, Mr Butler moved, and Mr Jsokaon seconded — " That the Chairman interview the Managrr of the Bank of New Zealand m reference lo the temporary overdraft to the Board, and arrange for what sum may be wanted from time to time, handing him at the same time a copy of the finaucial statement, showing that the reported overdrat has been covered." The mover Baid this would show the Manager exactly how the Board stood. It was well known that they w >uld on'y w»nt temporary assistance now and (gain. At present they were overdrawn, but they bad ample funds to pay it. It was simply a temporary thine. The resolution would put the matter plainly before tbe Board and the Bank. Tbe motion was then put and carried. The Chairman then read the following letter :— "To the Chairman of the Timaru High Bchool Board. " SlB, — I have the honor to hand to you the balance-sheet showing the state of the account of the Timaru High School to 31st March last. Before criticising this account I desire to draw your attention to tho vouohers enclosed j they are for travelling expenses incurred by members of the Baard. lam compelled to dis.llow these. The Act nowhere implies that suoh expenses shall be charged. Wherever the Legislature has intended thai such charges should be allowed it has invariably so expressed it m tbe Aot. The two gentlemen whoso receipts aro enclosed must be requested to refund tho amount. " It can scarcely be noeossary for me to comment npon the account before you j it must speak for itself, and that very strongly, as to the tendency of your system. " Your toacbing stuff amounts ts £2113, and your fees from students to only £SS4, and I find that those havo been reduced during the list term, while your ostato is all let. It is Very questionable whether the system of reduotion will be productive of any other result than a sorious drifting into dobt and possibly ondaDgering your estate " I have, 40., " J. Oltjvibb, " Provincial Dißtrict Auditor." Mr Jookson remarkoi that tbia was not a statement ; it wag a lecture. Mr Suttor siid it was the greatest piece of cheek he had heard of, and it grossly misstated tho income of the Board. He moved— 11 That m future tho Auditor be instructed to ionflne himself to doing his duty without interfering with tbe duty of the Board." This resolution, he held, was not too ourt for that letter. AH the Auditor had to d» was to goo that the statement was right m accordance with the Aot, »nd that the vouohers agreed with the entries, rhe Auditor's letter was tbe greatest piece of impertinence that he know of, and when be -rent, up to Wellington he would take a :opy of it wittriiim and show it to the Minister m whose Department Mr Ollivier ras engaged. The Hoy. Mr Gillies hardlj agreed with Sir Butter's motion. Ho would be inclined o move as follows :— " That the letter of the Auditor bo acknowledged, and he be requested ■o explain how ho has formerly passed the loeount with memb.ra travelling expenses ; iud as to tho part of hie letter regardwg the board's performance of its duties they beg to nform him that it is no part of hi* duty to iritioiie them."

MrSutter Bgreed to withdraw his motion m favor of Mr GilliesV whioh after being duly seconded by Mr Sutter, was put and carried unanimously. Aocounts amounting to £171 13j 4d were then passed for payment. HOTIOB OP MOTIOH. Dr lovegrove'« notice of motion did not come up for discussion, owing to that gentleman beirg unavoidably absent. It was aa follows :—" That the Board should eonsidet the desirability of making certain alterations m the Timaru High Sohool Act Amendment Aot of 1882 with regard to the nomination and election of members." Referring to the notice of motion, Mr Sutter said it was no part of the duty of the Board to disturb the Act, and he for one wai decidedly opposed to any such proceeding. Two elections had been held under the Act, and not a single hitoh had arisen m connection with either of them. The Aot had given great satisfaction, and at any attempt to disturb it he would get up a requisition to the Mayor and get him to call a publio meeting to discuss the whole question of the High School. The sohool was a perfect success, ■nd no school iv New Zealand m proportion to the numbers attending had passed to many pupili at a matriculation examination as tbe Timara High Sohool bad done. If the school were left alone it would be one ot the best soboola m New Zealand. LBIVB O? AB9ESCB. On the motion of Mr Taibot, Mr Sutter was granted leave of absence during the ensuing session of Parliament. Leave of absence was also granted to Messrs Creldstnith ond Manchester and Dr liovegrore. Tbe latter gentleman came m just as members were about to separate, and after apologising for being absent, said it bad turned out just a» hs had feared, — that his professional duties would not allow of his attending meetings m the morning. He had that morning been engaged professionally at the R.M. Court, and h»d left as soon as possible. Ihe meeting then terminated.