SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7328, 14 February 1902, Page 3

SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

The ordinary monthly, meeting of th< East Christchurch School Committee was held last night ; present— Messrs S. Clark. W. C. Aiken, G. E. Franklin, D. Lumsdei and H. J. Otley. An apology for absence was received 'from Mr T. G. Strange. Messrs F. H. 'Sapsford and W. H. Walker, the two new members, took their seats. The* headmaster's report showed that the roll number was 1438, and that the average attendance for the tittle tHe school 'had been open was 1190. Over 200 children had beei absent during the first -week of the term, and the committee decided to draw parents attention to the fact that under the ne\* Act parents whose children habitually were absent or who attended irregularly wen liable to a. fine, and that the Magistrate had no power to accept excuses for non-attend-ance, unless the necessary exemption was obtained from the Chairman or headmaster, Children absenting themselves more than two half-days during any one week in whiol the school Was open ten times came undei the provisions of the Act. There being five vacancies on the pupil-teaching staff, the following were recommended for appointment; — Frank. Osborn, Florence Evelyn Kent, Nellie Gibbs, Kathleen Wills, anc Keith Williamson. Correspondence was received from the Board of Education as follows: — That Mr Garrard had been appointed swimming instructor, and the Chairman reported that two classes of boys and girls had been formed. That under the Public School Teachers' Salaries Act the funds at the Board's disposal will not admit the present incidental allowances -being continued, and that the regulations governing the same were being revised. That under the same Act the salaries of the staff had been re-arranged, and that the Board regrets that the scale makes no adequate provision for the position held by he infant mistress, who is in charge of a separate department with duties and responsibilities beyond the remuneration the Board is able to provide. The Education Department had been asked that' the Phillipstown school should be staffed in accordance with the supplementary scale. It was decided to write to the Board, strongly supporting the action it had taken to secure adequate remuneration for the teachers affected. The Board further wrote that the sum of £9 had been forwarded for the purchase of manual instruction material, and that a cupboard for these requisites would be provided at Phillipstown. That the necessary renovation would be carried' out in the caretaker's house, and 'fronfr fence renewed. The resignation of Mr Ensom, owing to departure from the school district, was received with regret. Mr Sapsford was appointed superintendent of the etock account, and Mr Franklin delegate to the School Committees' Association, positions held by Mr Ensom. The Tennis Club was notified that the committee could not share the expense of permanently marking the courts. The Visiting Committee's report was received and adopted. Messrs Aiken, Sapsford and Walker were appointed the Visiting Committee for the current month. Mr Jamieson was elected to fill the vacancy caused by Mr Ensom's resignation.