SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6127, 14 March 1898, Page 1

SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

The usual monthly meeting of the Addington School Committee was held on Wednesday. Present— Messrs N. K. Bowden (chairman), Jno. Brown, R. Bell, H. G. Ell, J. Down, J. M. I'Anson and J. Moore. The head-master reported that 455 children were on the roll; average attendance 406; highest attendance 421. A discussion took place on technical education, and all the members agreed that the present system was very faulty, as large sums of public money were spent in giving technical education to a comparatively few children in the secondary schools, whereas the great bulk of the children — those in the primary schools — were unable to obtain that technical knowledge which, being conferred by public money, they have as much right to as those who now pay totally inadequate fees for it. The Committee decided to lend the Fendalton School Committee a good manners chart. Accounts were passed for payment and the meeting closed. The ordinary meeting of the Waltham School Committee was held en Thursday evening; present — Messrs Sim (chairman), Wraight, Jones, Langdown, Ditfort, Gow and Clifford. The head-master, Mr Hughes, was present for the purpose of discussing with the committee the question of a supplementary reading book for Standards IV., V. and VI. The principal reading book used in the school is " The Ship Literary Reader." It was thought that the Inspector's recommendation to the Board, that two reading books should " be used in each standard, should be carried out. discussion taok place in favour of having uniformity in books throughout the educational districts. It was stated that the question of turif ormity in books throughout the whole colony was under consideration by the Education Department, but it might be some time before it would be settled. It was decided that Longman's new readers for Standards IV. and VI., should be used as supplementary reading books. The average attendance for the past month had been 437*7,- the roll number being 485. An application from the Waltham Football Club for permission to play on the grounds was The incidental account was reported to be JBIB 19s in credit, and several accounts were passed for payment. Messrs Jones and Ditfort were appointed visitors. The monthly meeting of the Hornby school committee was held on Friday ; present—Messrs Spicer (chairman), Piper, Leslie, Andrews, Hardaker, Abernethy and Manhire. The master's report showed that there were 43 boys and 63 girls on the roll, and the highest number present on one day was 101. Several accounts were passed for payment. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr Adams, the chairman of the Board of Education, for distributing the prizes to the children on Tuesday.