TE AWAMUTU SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Waipa Post, Volume V, Issue 235, 5 August 1913, Page 3

TE AWAMUTU SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

A meeting of the Te Awamutu School Committee took place in the Cosmopolitan club room last night, there being present: Rev. Clarke (chairman), Dr Henderson, Messrs Wallace, von Stunner, Spinlev, Stewart, and Lawson (secretary). A letter from the Auckland Education Board explained that the removal of the present school buildings at Te Awamutu was under consideration, and that Messrs Edgecumbe and Farrell (architects) are to report to the Board at an early date. A letter from the school committee’s association was received, it being resolved that enquiries be made as to what committees belong to the association, and to obtain a copy of the rules before seeking enrolment. The Education Board advised that £ll had been paid to the local account as subsidy to September 30th. High School.

The following letter was received from the secretary to the Education Board “ I have to inform you that, in previous applications for the establishment of district high schools, the Minister has required a guarantee of not less than twenty qualified pupils in average attendance. If the committee desire the establishment of a district high school it should make applications to the Board for same, and turnish a list of the names ol pupils willing to attend a district high school if established. The Board has no power to establish a district high school without the consent of the Minister.”

It was resolved that enquiries be made at every school in the district as to the number of qualified pupils likely to attend a high school if established at Te Awamutu.

Technical School

The secretary reported that £2O had been subscribed towards the amount of the local contribution for the establishment of a technical school at Te Awamutu immediately at the conclusion of the address given by Mr George George, and that the lautari school committee had asked for subscription lists, which he had supplied. The matter was discussed at length, and the hope was expressed that a sufficient amount would be subscribed to assure the establishment of an agricultural laboratory lor the teaching of scientific agriculture attached to the technical school. It was ultimately resolved that Rev. Clarke, Messrs Lawson and Spinley be a sub-committee to draw up lists, collect data and report further prior to a definite canvas of the district being made Vaccination. Mr Lawson protested against the manner in which parents had been notified of the intended vaccination of school children. The committee at least, should have been advised beforehand. The chairman explained that he understood the children had been advised and asked to consult their parents. Those who objected need not have been vaccinated.

Mr Wallace : The children at the local school were advised that the public .vaccinator would attend the school on Thursday whereashe had attended on Tuesday. Dr Henderson stated that there was sufficient time for the children to have advised the parents. No child had been vaccinated if objection had been lodged. Mr Spinley considered that a full enquiry should be held, as some one had apparently acted in a very high-handed manner. Many parents had considered vaccination to be compulsory, and they should have been properly advised beforehand instead of having to accept possibly wrong information from the children who did not properly understand the instructions given. Mr Stewart : It is provided by law that every child must be vaccinated unless the parent signs a declaration showing a conscientious objection. Parents not having made this declaration are liable to prosecution. Rev. Clarke: An impression had been created that children not vaccinated would be debarred from attending school. In response to an enquiry made by Mr Wallace Dr Henderson stated that instructions had been issued for the vaccination of all children except those whose parents objected.

Some discussion followed, which showed the committee’s objection to be not in the actual vaccination, but in tire manner the parents had been advised, and the failure to consult the committee, but no action was taken in the matter.

Accounts totalling I2s 6d were passed for payment.