WEST CHRISTCHURCH SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 2041, 22 September 1874, Page 2

WEST CHRISTCHURCH SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

The fortnightly meeting of the committee was held on Wednesday evening last. Present — Messrs H. J. Tancred (chairman), Bird, Brown, Craig, Harris, Hawkes, Thornton, and M'Nie. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. A letter was read from the Board of Education, stating that the appointment of masters for French and drawing at the Lincoln road school would be sanctioned, on the understanding that their salaries are covered by the fees for extra subjects. A letter was read from the Secretary for Public Works, expressing regret that permission could not be granted the committee to take gravel from the Lincoln road pits, as the whole of the gravel is required for special purposes. A letter was read from the Hon. J. B. A. Acland, hon. secretary to the Diocesan Education committee, asking if the committee had considered the subject of religious teaching, and, if so, what determination had been arrived at. At the request of Mr Hawkes, consideration of the letter was deferred until next meeting, and fche secretary was instructed to write to Mr Acland to that effect. A letter was read from Mr Armstrong, educational rate collector for the district, recommending several persons for exemption from rates, on account of poverty. A letter was also read from the Board, enclosing an application from Mrs Janet Craig, asking to be excused from the payment of the educational rate on the ground of poverty. The secretary was instructed to forward a complete list of persons who had applied for exemption from payment of rates to his Honor the Superintendent, with a recommendation that the applications, be granted. : •..-.> A letter was read from Mr 0. Hull, acknowledging his appointment as drawing-master. Letters were read from the Rev. J. Gumming, Messrs J. H. Thornton, J, R. Wilkinson, Mrs Cutler, Miss Mackett, and Miss Kesteven, acknowledging and accepting their respective appointments at the Lincoln road school. A letter was also read from Mr T. S. Foster, accepting his appointment at the same school, but pointing out that after the Ist of. October his Balary would be slightly reduced. The secretary was instructed to reply that the committee had no intention to reduce his salary, and would ask the sanction of che Board to increasing it to £225 per annum. A letter was read from Miss Stothard, asking to be informed of the nature of her appointment as head mistress of the Lincoln road school. The secretary was instructed to inform Miss Stothard that she was appointed head mistress of the school for girls over Beven years of age, and that she would have sole control with respect to tuition in her classes, but that Mr Cumming, the head master, was responsible to the committee for the general conduct of the whole school, including all arrangements for teaching extra subjects. The Chairman stated that he had received a letter from the Provincial Auditor enclosing a form of abstract of receipts and expenditure for the use of district school committees, and that he (the Provincial Auditor) proposed to audit the accounts of the West Christchurch district on Sept. 25. The chairman was requested to see the Provincial Auditor on the matter, and call his attention to the 46th clause of the Education Ordinance ; also, to inform him that the committee will not be ready with their accounts on the date named, as they could not be made up till Sept. 30. The secretary reported that Mr Reetell had waited upon him with respect to the Durham street school, which, in consequence of the illness of Mr Elwin, was without a head-master, and had pointed out there were two masters recently arrived from England, who were as yet unemployed, and that one of them could take charge of the school until Mr Elwin's recovery. He consulted with the sub-committee on the matter, and, with their sanction, requestod Mr Jteefcell to be good enough to provide temporary teaching power for the school in accordance with his suggestion. The committee approved of this arrangement. Mr Harris again called attention to the large amount charged to the district for the Normal school buildings, and said he thought the committee should write to the Board of Education protesting against it. The committee concurred with this vi*w of the matter, and a letter was at once drawn up requesting the Board to reduce the amount by one-half, so that the contribution of the district would not exceed £2500 for the following reasons : — First, that the committee could hare provided school accommodation in the northern part of the district at an amount not exceeding one-half the sum now charged to the district for the use of the Normal school ; second, that the amount of the rate proposed to be levied in the district, added' to the already heavy charges upon property, would press very hard upon the ratepayers. Mr Harris moved " That the bath at the Lincoln road school be open to the public from 5 to 8 a.m., and from 5 to 8 p.m., at a charge of 103 per annum." Mr M'Nie seconded the motion. The feeling of the committee being decidedly against the motion, Mr Harris, by permission, withdrew it. The sub-committee for the Lincoln road school, were authorised to procure a set of models required by the drawing master.