SCHOOL COMMITTEE ELECTIONS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 4339, 29 April 1896, Page 3

SCHOOL COMMITTEE ELECTIONS.

LAWEENCE. The annual statutory meeting of householders for the election of a school committee for the year 1896-97, held in the Town Hall on Monday evening, was largely attended, between eighty and ninety persons being present. Mr J. C. Arbuckle (President of the retiring committee) occupied the chair. The minutes of the previous meeting were I read and confirmed. ANNUAL BEPORT AND BALANCE-SHEET. The annual report submitted by the outgoing committee was as follows : — Tour committee have much pleasure in presenting their annual report for the past yenr. The balance-sheet, which has been duly audited by the Education- Board's auditor, shows the receipts from all sources to have been £140 19s lOd and the total expenditure £132 6s 4d, leaving a credit balance of £8 13s 6d, which is about £10 less than last year, but some extraordinary expenditure,Buch as repairs to the Rector's residence, having been necessary, accounts for this, and does not indicate that the finances are in a less satisfactory condition. During the holidays, your committee managed to repair the asphalting at the school aud Rector's residence, but the expense of this was met by the Board and contributions that were received. The attendance-roll for the four quarters has been as follows :— Quarter ending 30th June, 1895 : Eoll number, 275 ; highest attendance, 264 ; average, 236-8. Quarter ending 30th September, 1895 : 284— 264-2417. Quarter ending 31st December, 1895 : 282— 260— 246-5. Quarter ending 31st March, 1896 : 281—244—2317. The examinations of the school during the past year have been highly successful. At the standards examination there were only two failures. The inspectors (Messrs Fitzgerald and Goyen) axpressed themselves well satisfied with the working of the school. The Civil Service examination was well represented from the school, from the fact that the fourteen candidates who sat for examination passed, and one of them (Walter Sherratty was highest on the list for the colony. The same lad also passed the senior Civil Service examination. The following are the names of those who passed the examination :— Walter Sherratt, James Campbell, William Stevenson, James Patrick, George Urquhart, James Stonhouse, Charles M'Nab, Robert M'Ara, Bobert M'lntosh, Sarah Hogg, George Livingston, Bobert M'Kay, Frank Vivian and James Cornish. During last month, Walter Sherratt was appointed cadet iv the Public Works Department, Wellington ; James Campbell, cadet, Customs, Auckland; George Urquhart, cadet, Supreme Court, Auckland ; James Patrick, cadet, Magistrate's Court, Wellington; William Stevenson, cadet, Customs, Wellington. We may mention that each of these positions carries with it a salary of £65 a-year with an advance of £10 per annum. The pupil teachers and others who are being trained as teachera have made progress in having passed successfully their respective examinations. Cooking classes were initiated this year under the management of Mrs Miller, from Dunedin, and havo been well patronised by the seventh standard girls from Lawrence and Blue Spur schools, as well as by a large number of ladies of the district. For the carrying out of these arrangements, Mr Shaddock kindly placed at the disposal of the committee a range, and fitted it in for them free of charge. The number attending these classes reaches about seventy. We are pleased to state that the Bible-reading is still carried on in the school. All the scholars assemble in the morning at 9 a.m., when selections from the Old and New Testament are read and the Lord's Prayer repeated by all. The cadets, under Captain Darton, numbering over 40, are inspected monthly. The inspecting officer visited the school last week, and expressed himself highly pleased with their efficiency. This year the corps, as usual, received the maximum capitation grant— viz., £20. A number of trees were planted on Arbor Day on the street adjacent to the school grounds, in the place of those which had missed. The trees and shrubs planted on previous occasions are doing well. In vacating office, your committee desire to express their appreciation of the successful work done by the teaching staff, who unite in maintaining the reputation of the school for efficient teaching. Tour committee also acknowledge the assistance' rendered thorn by the teachers in promoting the interest of the sohool. The committee held 13 meetings during the year and the attendance of members was as follows : —Messrs J. C. Arbuckle, 13 ; J. Thompson, 6 ; E. Dimant, 11; P. Lren, 13; J. Chalmers, 11; D. M'lntosh, 12; H. Leary, 13; A. Blair, 13; G. Jeffery, 13. J. C. A.rbuckle, President. Geo. Jeffbet, Secretary. The accompanying balance-sheet showed that the receipts for the year ended 31st March last, including £17 16s 4d brought forward, amounted to £140 19s 10d,the chief items being quarterages £47 8s 9d and pen-and-ink money £21 2s. Of the expenditure the janitor's salary absorbed £34 15s and repairs to the Eector's residence, etc., £37 Is 4d. The report and balance-sheet as read having been received, Mr R. M'Keieh moved and Mr A. M'Nicol seconded : " That the report and balancesheet be adopted." — Carried. ELECTION OP COMMITTEE, The chairman stated that ten candidates had been duly nominated, in accordance with the regulations, on the previous Monday, as follows: — Messrs J. J. Gibson, P. Uren, J. Thompson, D. M'lntosh, E. Dimant, H. Leary, Jas. Chalmers, A. Blair, G. Jeffery and J. C. Arbuckle. He was prepared to receive further nominations. Mr J. Hetherington was the only other candidate nominated. The balloting was next proceeded with, the result being as follows : — Thompson, 60 ; Gibson, 49 ; Uren, 43 ; Jeffery, 43 ; Arbuckls, 43 ; Dimant, 42 ; M'lntosh, 40 ; Leary, 39 ; Chalmers, 38 ; Hetherington, 38 ; Blair, 34. The Chairman, who gave his casting vote in favor of Mr Chalmers (who tied with Mr Hetherington), declared the first nine candidates duly elected as members of the committee for the ensuing term. Messrs A, Morris and A. Miller acted as scrutineers and were aooorded a vote of thanks for their services. THE SECBETABY'S SERVICES ACKNOWLEDGED. On the motion of Mr Thompson, a very hearty vote of thanks was tendered to Mr Geo. Jeffery for his services as secretary to the ! committee. For many years Mr Jeffery had filled that office in an eminently satisfactory j manner, and he (Mr Thompson) thought the least the householders could do in appreciation of his services was to pass the complimentary , vote which he had just proposed. — Seconded by Mr Baker and declared carried unanimously. The proceedings then terminated with the usual V9tel9 fb« Qb&fo? ' ■

BLUE SPUR. The annual statutory meeting of householders for the purpose of electing a school committee was held in the local schoolhouae on Monday evening. Twenty householders were present. The report of the outgoing committee stated that, after paying for the usual repairs and the maintenance of buildings and also for asphalting part of the school ground, there remained a balance in hand of £18 Os 2d. A satisfactory report by Inspectors Goyen and Fitzgerald on the stata of the school as an I educational establishment Was *ea<3, and in reference to the same, the headmaster was congratulated on the fact that one of his old pupils (Master Jai. Campbell) stood 7th in the list in the recent Civil Service competitive examinations. The average attendance for the year was 85*7. Aibor Da> had been celebrated by a concert and dance, preceded by the planting of 100 trees, amidst appropriate rejoicings. The break-up of the school was made the occasion, as usual, for a children's flower-show, which passed off very successfully. The outgoing committee de- | sired to express their warmest thanks to the teaching staff for their diligence and welldoing in the cause of education during the past year. The report of the outgoing committee was adopted unanimously, and the meeting proceeded to elect a committee for the ensuing term. Nine nominations were received, and the balloting resulted in the return of Messrs Jas. Campbell (19), S. Johnston (16), S. Hore (17), D. Beaton (16), J. M'Neilly (17), A.Barr (15), and J. M'Kay <14). Votes of thanks were unanimously awarded by the meeting to Messrs Hore (chairman), J. Campbell (secretary) and the members of the outgoing committee as a whole for their services during the past year. At the meeting of the new committee, Mr S. Johnston was elected chairman and Mr Jas. Campbell secretary and treasurer. WAIPORI. Very great interest was taken in the school committee election on Monday evening. The schoolroom was crowded to overflowing by householders and the general public, fully one hundred being present. Close on seventy ballot-papers were given out. Strange to say, the election was contested on the question of Sheep v. Cattle, and not on the question of education or school management at all. The facts are probably within the memory of your readers: Sometime ago the Education Board was called upon by one of our residents to oensure the teacher for his action as secretary of the Commonage Committee. The school committee supported the teacher in his action ; therefore, the small party in opposition determined, if possible, to throw out the old committee at this election. The result was a complete triumph for the old committeo, and a vindication of their policy by the public, as they were all, without exception, returned to their former positions, and not one of the new candidates obtained a seat on the committee. Twelve candidates were nominated, the voting being as follows : — J. Lomas, 51 ; J. T, Johnson, 48 ; F. W. Knight, 47 ; M. Casey. 45; W. Caudwell, 45; S. Caudwell, 44; HBlackmore, 44 ; R. Cotton, 25 ;C. Hilgendorf , 24; R. Cartwright, 23; W. Eaton, 22; M. Blackmore, 19. The first seven were declared duly elected. Mr S. Caudwell presided, and was specially thanked for the able way in which he conducted the proceedings.—(Correspondent.) - WAITAHUNA. There was a fair attendance of householders at Monday evening's meeting; Mr F. Ellis (chairman of the school committee) presided. The retiring committee's report snowed that there were at the present time on the roll 85 pupils — 48 boys and 37 girls. The school was examined by Inspectors Goyen and Fitzgerald in August, the percentages of passes gained being higher than at any previous examination of the school. The total receipts for the year, including a balanoe of £9 17s 6d brought forward, were £ 43 11s 6d, and the expenditure £27 18s 2d, leaving a balance on the 31st March last of £15 13s 4d. The following gentlemen were nominated as committeemen: — Messrs Ellis, M'Ara, Jas. Toner, Livingston, W. Auld (merchant), Cowen, M'Millan, Cameron and W. Auld (builder.) The result of the voting was as follows: — Ellis, 23 ; M'Ara, 20 ; Toner, 20 ; Livingston, 19 ; W. Auld (merchant), 17; Cowen, 14; M'Millan, 13; Cameron, 12; W. Auld, (builder), 10. The chairman declared the first seven candidates duly elected. The committee held a meeting immediately after tho public meeting, at whioh Mr Livingston was elected chairman and Mr M'Ara secretary and treasurer. The night of meeting was fixed for the first Monday in each month. WETHERSTONES. Thirteen householders were present at the election on Monday evening. Mr J. K. Simpson occupied the chair. The report and balance-sheet were received and adopted. The balance-sheet showed the receipts from all sources, including £4 16s 3d brought forward from 1895, were £50 15s lOd, and the expenditure £42 17s lOd, leaving a balance of £7 183 to the credit of the incoming ooramittee. The election of a committee was next proceeded with, the following being nominated : — Messrs J. E. Simpson, J. Munro, A. Russell, R. G. Fulton, A. Donnelly, G. Coxon, C. Watson, W. Tubman and W. Goldsmith, of whom Messrs Simpson (12), Donnelly (11), Munro (10), Russell (9), Fulton (8), Coxon (8) and Goldsmith (8) were declared duly elected. A vote of thanks to the chair closed the meeting. MILLERS FLAT. Fifteen householders put in an appearance at the meeting held on Monday evening. Mr Kerr (secretary) read the balance-sheet of the retiring commissioners, Bhowing the receipts for the year to have been £39 14s 6d and the expenditure £29 9s 3d, leaving a balance in hand of £10 5s 3d. Eleven candidates were proposed as committeemen, the voting being as under : — Jas. Burns (12), Jas. Hand (12), R. M'Donald (10), M. Graham (8), W. Williamson (8), P. Laffey (7), A, Grogan (7), P. Armstrong (6), A. Peattie (5), A. Pringle (4) and R, Richardson (4). The first seven named were deolared elected. MANUKA CREEK. The following gentlemen were duly elected members of the school committee for the ensuing year— viz., Messrs Alex. M'Oorkindale, Adam M'Corkindale, T. Mackie, W. H. Miller, D. Ross, Jas. Pettigrew and R. Craig. Mr Pettigrew was elected chairman and Mr R. Craig secretary for the current year. TUAPEKA FLAT. The following committeemen were elected on Monday evening .'—Messrs G. Murray, T. Crowley, R. Ross, A. M'Leod and J. Ross. Mr R. Ross was subsequently elected chairman and Mr Murray secretary and treasurer. WAITAHUNA WEST. Only four members of committee were declared elected on Monday evening — viz., Messrs Oxenbould, Kell, Wymar andDurrant. The Education Board will be asked to appoint ft householder to fill the fifth seat. TUAPEKA MOUTH. The committee for the ensuing year con- j sista of Messrs Daniell (chairman), Goodwin (secretary), Grieve, Brown, Fraser, Nehoff and \ Chas. Gjilliand, Th.B new members are Messrs •' Nehoff and CHlliand. EVANS FLAT. Committee for current year :- -Messrs G. Brook (chairman), W. Buchanan, G. Brook, jun. : W. Leslie, F. Dunikowski, P. Johnson and S'as. Hopkins (secretary). RAES JUNCTION. New elected :— Messrs Jas. Bennet (chairman), J. Milne (secretary), J. Edwards, J. Mackay, J. Michael, G. M'Laughlin and C. Bennet. BEAUMONT. The members of the new committee are — Messrs W. Cumming (chairman), Crossan (secretary), Phillipps, M'Corkindale and

TUAPEKA WEST. Committee elected :— Messrs W. Osborne (chairman), J. Cochrane (seoretary), J. M'Kay, J. Smith, Geo. Smith, Jas. Pahey and W. Bulfin. ROXBURGH. All the members of the retiring committee were re-elected— viz;, Messrs Mercer, Waigth, Cockburn, Malone, Harris, M'Mullin and Jeffery. ROUND HILL. Committee for 1896-97 :— Messrs J. Stewart (chairman), W. Sutherland (secretary), fit Saeddon, H, Stewart and E. Crozier.