SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10442, 23 April 1912, Page 4

SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

ANNUAL MEETINGS OF HOUSE-

HOLDERS,

Meetings of householders wore held at all the city and suburban schools last evening for tho purpose of electing school committees and transacting other business. Tho meetings were, on the i whole, very well attended, the parents ! manifesting an interest in the* details relating to the education of their children that was most gratifying. The i reports, in the majority, of cases, were | satisfactory, and in some cases recorded I progress, and general eliiciency, both of teachers and pupils, of an unusual ; nature. The inspectors' reports that were presented showed that the North Canterbury Hoard of Education has a 1 Btaff of teaohers of which it may well |be proud Many improvements have | been effected in schools and playgrounds during the year, and in many schools the amounts expended on such improvements as baths, and upon affording additional playing grounds lor pupils, r formed an important part ot the total expenditure. The attendances have | been well maintained on the whole. WEST OTIRI3TOHURCH. t There was a moderate attendance at West Christchuroh, Mr J. H. Jones prereport stated that the school was maintaining its reputation for efficiency. For the last quarter the foil numbers were primary 708, eeoondary 211, and the average atI tendanoes had been 650 and 199 rejepectively. The secondary department ■ had received 116 new pupils since the ! beginning of the school year. The agricultural ' chemistry class, numbering ' thirty-six boys, was doing good work, l and a now plot of ground had been (fenced in. Pupils from the comnier!©ial classes readily obtained good situaitions with business firms. The commitItee had decided that Scriptural instruction wag impracticable. The receipts [from the bath had been £2 lis 7d, a [chilly summer keeping many children i away. Capitation, to the amount of !'£ls 10a had been paid to instructors. ! The school had won the Sir John Hall ; Challenge Shield for life-saving, and six j pupils had won life-saving certificates. | Dr' Chilton had resigned the chairman--1 ship in October, and Mr J. H. Jones had been appointed to the vacancy. The Board of Education had undertaken necessary repairs at the school, but had not yet agreed to a new wash--house for the caretaker's house although it was bndlv needed. However, ; a general scheme of renovation was un--1 der consideration. The children had contributed £7 Is ljd to the Fresh Air Fund, and 16s 9d towards the cost of a gramaphone at Bottle Lake Hospital. The unsatisfactory heating of the school had been brought under the notice of the Board. Sixteen pupils in the secondary department had passed the Civil Service examination, eight on the credit list. Four Board of Education scholarships had been gained, and three pupila had passed the matriculation examination. The Board had supplied a second target and two additional rifles, as well as cupboards for storing cadets' uniforms. The balancesheet showed the committee to be in credit £l3 3a lid.

The report was adopted, the chairman making appreciative reference to the work of teachers who had left the echool. The following were appointed a committee:—Messrs H. Holland, o. M'Cullough, "W, Sheldon, J. H. Tones, Parlane, G. Barrell, 3. M'Murray, •W. B. Bultitude and W.- Eobson. Tho thanks of the meeting were accorded to the headmaster (Sir W. A. 1 Caughley), and the teaching staff, the motion being carried with applause. Mr Caughley briefly replied for himself and the staff. EAST OHRISTCHURCH SCHOOL. The annual meeting of householders of East Christohurch was held last evening t Mr A. F„ Drayton being in the chair.

; The annual report stated that during the year the committee lost the much- > .valued? services of Mr S. 0. Owen, who 'for seven years was headmaster and .ten years first assistant ma?ter in the tnaia school. The high standard of efficiency maintained by the school had ibeen. evidence of his untiring efforts, ; while his soientiflo methods had made ; the school worthy to rank with the ■hesfc in the dominion. Mr Hugh Godfrey Wake, late headmaster of the Hokitika District High School, had ibeen appointed to fill the vacanoy. | The enthusiasm and skill which he was . infusing into his new position spoke ' well for the future prospects of the i school. The school was maintaining its high standard of efficiency. Excellent reports hod been forwarded iby the inspectors, and the large num- ; s>er of scholarships won by the pupils ' was evidence of the careful tuition of the teaching staff. The girls' departmenfy under Mfcs Chaplin, was progressing In a most satisfactory manner, Tho roll number now stood at 670. The main infaiyt school, under the charge of Miss A. J. Menzies, opened the year with a roll number of ,'421, and ended with 420. The ; inspectors' reports had been of a d<*'cidedly satisfactory nature, reflecting much credit upon the methods of instruction adopted by the teachers. The Fhillipstown School had been' fortunate [in retaining the services of its headmistress, Miss S. L, Robinson. The average attendance for the year would lhave been high er hut for sickness, it Wng boys 169, girls 129, or a total of 080 out of a roll number of 823. During the twelve months 309 full attendance certificates had been distributed. jUnder the capable management of Miss Gilmour, aided by an assistant ■and a pupil teacher, the South Bejt 'School was continuing to do good work, [the inspector's report, issued last year, showing that good progress was being 'maxfe. The roll number stood at 95. .The school was to be congratulated npon the excellent results of the scholarship examination. The attendance for 1911 was fairly good. •Tho new regulations regarding incidental grants came into force last year. The committee had ('been given to believe that in future ithe financial burden would be greatly 'alleviated, but this was far from being 'bo. Although the utmost care had L been exercised, incidental grants from Jfche Ejpard had been insufficient to meet the ordinary working expenses to the extent of £2l Os Bd. If it had not been for the special grant from the Board of /'£2s upon the previous year ; as part I'ijost of the apparatus supplied to the tachools out of proceeds from the school (lair, the financial year would have closed with liabilities amounting to over £46. The classes for religious instruction had been continued during the year, and were attended by the ' younger children, though there was a considerable falling off in the attendance of tho middle and upper classes on ■the boys' side.

> Dr Russell's mption, "That in view cf the unsatisfactory condition of many of the town and country schools under thef jurisdiction of the Board of Education for the district of North Canterbury (for the want of funds), this meeting of householders of East Christchtiroh would respectfully urge upon the Government the necessity for a 'larger grant of funds to meet the urgent requirements of primary education," was carried. I A motion urging the Minister of Education to accede to the request that the ; Phillipstown School should bo made a Dtain school without delay, was lost. A rote of thanks to the teachers was earned unanimously. Some discussion ensued on the question of the Bible in schools, one speaker (contending that its introduction was in- ' consistent with the military' training ! movement. The Rev Harold Purchas | ministers had done their heat under ad- ! verse conditions.

The following committee was elected •-Messrs A. F. Drayton (chairman), A

Peverill (vice-chairman), W. C. Rowe, A. Borrows, W. Grummitt, C. A. Newman, W. Harvey, W. H. Seed and F. W. Sapsford.

SYDENHAM. A meeting of the householders of the Sydenham School District was held last evening. There was a good attendance. Tho Rev Charles Murray was voted to the chair. *

Tho annual report stated that in consequence of tho opening of the school in Somerlield Street the number of children on' tho roll had dropped from 11CW to 1000, but the average attendance throughout the year had been very good. Great credit had been reflected on the school by the excellent report that had been received from tho inspectors. Fifty-six proficiency passes had been obtained, and the inspector reported that the standard of work was very good. The swimming classes had been well attended. Mr C. Foster had resigned the position of secretary, after holdins it for twenty-seven years, and Mr T. Jacobs had been appointed to the position. Doorways had been put into passages, which made it possible on an alarm of fire to empty the school in one minute. A building had been erected by tho Education Board on the school grounds, to be used as a. technical school, and the girls were now being taught cooking, and the beys woodwork. A portion of the ground on which the headmaster's house stood had been exchanged for a portion of the nost office ground. The swimming bath" was seriously in need of repair. Tho total receipts for the year amounted to €3178 Is sd. and the expenditure to £3l/13 lis Bd, leaving a credit balanoo of £34 Or 9d. Swimming capitation amounted to £lO 7s 6d. Votes of thanks were parsed to the ontpoing committee, to the headmaster. Mr Mnyne, and h'S staff, and a hearty vote of appreciation wss accorded to Mr Malcolm, who is leaving to take up another appointment, for the great services he had rendered the school.

The following committee was elected for the ensuing ye fir: —Mrs; Hunt. Mrs nnd Messrs Good. Harks. Cocks. Tliu+erfield, Congreve, Merriman and Harley. SPREYDON. The annual meeting of tho householders of the Spreydon district was held in the school last evening. Mr W. R. Galiagan was voted to the chair and there was an attendance of about sixty. The report stated that the attendance showed a noticeable falling off, and that the truant ofiicer was far from satisfied. During the year only one change had taken place in the staff. At the annual examination the inspector, Mr C. D. Hardie, gave a very favourable repoTt. In the examination for proficiency and competency certificates sixteen children had obtained the former and six children the latter. Owing to the lack of accommodation a new class-room wns being built in brick for the infants, and would be opened shortly, and extensive repairs had been carried out at the headmaster's house. The cadet corps was improving and now .numbered forty. Differences had occurred with the Spreydon Amateur Swimming Club with regard to the use of the bath. The by-laws were revised, but the club had not carried them out. The club had not cleaned the bath out according to arrangements, and the committee considered it had been treated in anything but a courteous manner.

The balance-sheet showed receipts (including £25 16s lid brought forward) £46 lis Pd, and expenditure £24 10s 2d, leaving a credit-balance of £22 Is 7d. The report and balance-sheet were unanimously adopted without discussion.

dealing with the bath matters Mr Fenner stated that arrangements with the club had been cancelled until a' full explanation was received. The oommittee's action was upheld. The following committee was elected : Messrs R. G. Thomas, H. H. Ellis, E. Hole, A. E. Ward, J'. Steel, E. N. Bruddeu, W. A. Fenner and C. E, Brown.

A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the staff, the caretaker and the chairman.

At a meeting of the committee held afterwards Mr W. A. Fenner was elected chairman. It was resolved to engage a paid secretary, but the appointment was held over until next meeting of the committee.

WALTHAM. The annual meeting of householders in tho Waltham School district was held last evening. Mr W. T. Thomas was elected chairman.

The annual report stated that the average attendance during the year was 612. The inspector's examination report was of a very gratifying nature, and the committee congratulated the headmaster and staff on their successful work. A policy of economy had been carried out during the past year, with the result that there was now a credit balance of £37 lis lOd. The expenditure totalled £l4O lis 2d, and the revenue £lB4 3s. In respect to tho Bible classes, the work was being carried on in a very satisfactory manner by the Rev P. J. Cocks and his assistant. The Cadet corns had maintained a hijh state of efficiency. Tho girls' hookey team had won the challenge shield of the Primary Schooh Competitions. The school library crntainod over 200 books, and the library fund had a credit balance of £26 4s "3d.

The report was adopted without discussion.

The following were elected a committee:—Mrs F. Wilson, Messrs Ablett, Mortloek, Harvey, White, Shaw, liesley, Watkins and Empson. At a subsequent meeting of the newly elected committee, Mr C. V. Harvey was elected chairman, and Mi- T. O. Mortloek treasurer. Hearty votes of thanks were aocorded Messrs Wraight and Ditford for long service on the committee, and to Mr Hughes for presenting medals for competition each year for the two best scholasa.. WOOLSTON. The annual meeting of householders of the Woolston School Committee was held last evening, Mr J. J. Gatehouse being in the chair. The annual report, which was adopted, stated that the new building, containing three rooms, would soon be ready for use, but even so, further accommodation would be required, owing to increasing attendance. The committee still found itself hampered for lack of funds to meet the expenses of the school. The committee urged that the householders should demand the reinstatement of the 9d grant. During the year a sale of work had been held and £27 10s had in consequence been available for the purchase of a piano. The Technical College reports showed that pupils of the Woolston School had been very successful there. During the year tho committee had agreed to allow religious instruction to be given on the understanding that the ministers should make their own arrangements and providing that the instruction did not interfere with the school work. The Rovis Orbell, Macdonald and Buttle had given instruction. The girls of the school had again won the challenge shield given for the greatest aggregate points scored at the annual sports. During the year the attendance rose to 551, and the school became entitled to a further pupil-teacher. An increase of 50 would entitle the school to two further adult teachers. Tho average attendance for last year was 553. The balance sheet showed receipts £172 3s Id, expenditure to £126 0s 3d, outstanding accounts £l2 10s 3d, leaving a credit balance of £33 13s lid. The election of a committee resulted :—Mesdames Newton, Wilson and S. Dick, Messrs H. Ycitch, M. Gimblett, G. White, J. Gatehouse and Lightband.

In reply to a question the chairman stated that while he had not the exact figures to hand he could say that the attendance at the Bible classes had

not been satisfactory. this was on account of the earliness of the hour, 8.30 to 9, the only time suitable |to the instructors. A resolution was ;i passed that the proper authorities I should be written to, asking for a reinstatement of the 9d capitation grant.

NORTH LINWOOD. The annual meeting of householders of the North Linwood School district was held last evening, Mr W. H. Denton presiding. Tho annual report stated that tho year had boon a successful one. The attendance had been good and had emphasised the need for more accommodation for pupils. Messrs T. S. Foster and Dr Denham had inspected the school, and had roported that it was efficiently conducted and that a high standard of work was being maintained. At tho annual Government examinations three pupils had passed the Junior National examination and one had gained a Junior Board scholarship.

Tho balance sheet in connection with the No. 1 account (money received from the Board) showed receipts £135 16s 4d, expenditure £136 10s 3d, debit balance 13s lid. The No. 2 account (money raised by the committee) showed receipts £625 5s 6d, expenditure £667 10s 6d, debit balance £42 5s 6d.

Tho chairman moved—" That, in view of the unsatisfactory condition of many of the town and country schools under the jurisdiction of the Board of Education of North Canterbury, this meeting of householders of Linwood North would respectfully urge on the Government the necessity of a larger grant of funds to meet the urgent requirements of primary education." The motion was carried unanimously, and it was decided that a copy of it should be forwarded to the Prime Minister and the Minister of Education.

Messrs R. Cartes, J. A. Clarke, W. H. Denton, S. C. Dixon, R. Ellis, G. Gundry, H. Murray, G. Phillips and H. F. Herbert were elected the committee for the ensuing year. Mr W. H. Denton was re-elected chairman and Mr J. A. Clarke secretary. Hearty votes of thanks were passed to the headmaster, Mr F. Evans and his staff and to the two retiring committeemen, Messrs W. Young and J. Milieu.

ST ALBANS. There were about forty present at the annual meeting of householders of the St Albans School district. Mr J. D. Colville was elected chairman. The report for the year was eminently satisfactory, the average attendance being 616 as against 586 for the previous twelve months; the number of scholars on tho roll was 699. as against 64-3 for the year ended March 31, 1911. The health of the scholars lyid been fairly satisfactory, an epidemic of mumps only interfering with the clean bill of health. High School scholarships were obtained by Vera Nightingale and Reginald Eames; Education Board scholarships by Vera Nightingale and Adela Tnnes. The attendance being over 601 entitled the school to two moro adult teachers, and Misn Turner and Mr Dc-nne were appointed to fill the positions. Tho first assistant, Mr Colee had been promoted to Opawa, and Mr Malcolm had been appointed to fill the vacancy. The report was satisfactory as regards drill, but the swimming season was most unfavourable. The dux medal for last year was won by Vera Nightingale. Full attendance prizes were gained by 110 scholars,, an increase of nineteen on the previous year. Tho annual balance-sheet showed that there was a credit balance of £9 4s lid at the end of the financial year, but it was explained that since then expenditure had been incurred, with the result that there was now a deficit.

Twelve nominations were received for the committee, and after scrutineers had been appointed and the ballot held, the following committee was declared elected :—Messrs A. Hobbs, R. Fletcher, F. Cole, E. H. Andrew, J. M'Farlane, J. Pratt, F. Lucas, J. Beanland and C. Toon. A good deal of discussion took place regarding the question of finance, the speakers urging that the old order should be reverted to, when a capitation grant of 9d per head was paid to the committee by the Education Board. The following resolution was carried unanimously—" That this meeting of householders resolves that in the interests of the public schools, the 9d per head formerly paid to school committees bo reverted to, and that we forward to the Minister of Education the foregoing resolution." It was also pointed out that more accommodation was urgently needed at tho school. The meeting terminated with votes of thanks to the teaching staff and the outgoing committee. Mr Hobbs was subsequently elected chairman of the new committee. RICHMOND. The annual meeting of householders in the Richmond School district was held last evening. Mr S. Kennedy, chairman of the outgoing committee, presided, and there was a very large attendance. Tlie balance-sheet showed that the committee started with a balance of £1 13s 2d, and finished with a credit balance of £25 Is Bd.

The annual report stated that the number of scholars on the roll on March 31, 1911, had been 676, with an average attendance" of 618 on the corresponding date. This year the roll number was 701, and the average attendance 649. The report of the inspectors at the annual examination in July was thoroughly satisfactory. The school had been successful in gaining Junior National Scholarships for the third year in succession, two out of the only three awarded going to Richmond pupils. A Board of Education scholarship and a Technical School scholarship had also been gained, and the dux of the school, Stella M'Bratney, had won an entrance scholarship at the Girls' High School. During the swimming season sixteen girls and twenty-three boys gained certificates for long-dißtance swimming, while five boys gained Royal Life Saving proficiency certificates, and one gained the elementary certificate. The thanks of the committee for assistance in various ways were due to the donors of the gold medal for the dux of the school, also for the swimming championships ; to the Hon G. "W. Russell, to Mr W. H. Lawrence, and to the Richmond Citizens' Association. The report and balance-sheet was unanimously adopted. A very hearty vote of appreciation for the services rendered by the headmaster, Mr J. M'Gregor, and his staff, and a vote of thanks was also passed to the caretaker, Mr E. Pim. The following committee was elected for the ensuing year:—Messrs Brown, Kennedy, Pentecost, Kay, Taylor, Burgess, Buist, Currie and Carter. At a subsequent meeting of the new com-