Waihi Schools Committee

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume VIII, Issue 2344, 5 September 1908, Page 2

Waihi Schools Committee

Monthly Meeting The monthly meeting of tht Waihi Schools Cominitfceo was held last evening in the High School, there being present Mossrs Munns (chairman), Nicholson, Spottiswoodo, Nottingham, Ridings, Irvine, and Waddell. CORRESPONDENCE PROM BOARD. Communications from the Auckland Board of Education were received and dealt with as follows: Wailii South School; That the Board had the question of a suitable site for tho proposed new school at Waihi South under consideration, and that tho chairman of the Board (Mr Parr) would be in Wailii in a few days, and intruded to confer with tho committee oil the matter,—Received. Unauthorised Expenditure: That the Board sanctions tho expenditure of £l, incurred by tho committee's predecessors in ollice, as a donation to the Auckland Scripturo Gift Association.—Deceived. Appointment of Teachers: That Miss K, E. Vicker.v (Tauranga), first yoar pupil teacher, Newton Weist School, was appointed to the District High School as from tho Ist inst., in placo of Mr. Ell's (retired),—Received; That the recommendation of the committee with reference to the permanent appointment of Miss de Montalk as seventh assistant teacher to the High School could not be adopted because Miss de Montalk did not yet hold a teacher's certificate, and in consequence

it was impossible to give effect to the J request, The Board, however had no ' intention of removing her from the school en long as sho continued to give satisfaction to tlio committee and headmaster.—Received. That Miss May had been removed from the East School, as her services wero required at another school. Mr. J, A. Tatton, English trained teacher, had been instructed to attend the Bast j school temporarily, from August 24, to I, assist in teaching at the East School 1 ■ during tho absence of the headmaster (Mr. Mackay).—Received. , ADMISSION OF PUPILS. Referring to the question of the admission of pupils (maximum number) to tlio East and Central Schools, the Board wrote as* follows: East School: That the floor space of the Waihi East School being now increased to 3,116 square feet, the Board has fixed 340 as the maximum roll number of that school, and tlio headmaster had been instructed that he was at liberty to admit pupils up to, but not in excciis of, that number.' exception was taken to the laist clause of the Board's communication. The chairman pointed out that it was nonsense to expect that the East, School could relieve any congestion at the Central High School, The previous committee had recognised the necessity of having the school enlarged, but their efforts _ with the Board in this respect had failed. It was not to he expected that children could walk all tho way to the East School from the South End. Mr. Hidings referred to the fact that children were at the present time going from the South to tho East School, and from the latter to tho District High School. Such a practice, ho considered, was a downright shame, and steps should bo taken to put a Btop to it. He also objected to the Board's suggest ion that children should bo asked to attend the East School right from the southern portion of tho township. It was resolved to interview Mr. Parr on the subject, whon in Waihi, HEADMASTERS' REPORTS,

Mr. A. H, Bongo, headmaster of tho Wailii District, High School, reported that the roll number of the Central School (primary department) was 711; secondary, 22; average'(primary) 61!), secondary 19.5. Ho also pointed out that tho trench at the cadet rifle range needed nttoution, aa tlio protecting bank was to a certain extent washed away. The report also dealt with the changes in staff, as notified by tlio Board in its correspondence, and referred to several matters in connection with the general conveniences of the school, etc,—lt was resolved to communicate with the officer commanding the district relative to the unsafe condition of the rifle range, and with the Board re fence around teacher's residence, etc.—Th(j report was adopted. Mr. A, E. Day, of the East School) wrote on behalf of Mr. Macky (headmaster), who is seriously ill, reporting that tlio annual inspection of the school by the Hoard's inspector (Mr Grierson) had been niiule on the 21st iilst, and it was reported that the discipline and tone of the school was very good. The roll number was now 286, and the average attendance 231,5.—Report adopted. The committee expressed its sympathy regarding tlio illness of the headmaster (Mr. Mackay), A COMPLAINT.

Mr. C. Hutchinson wrote making certain allegations against the High School master (Mr Stewart), regarding alleged undue punishment tot' his son, and matters relative to it. A letter on the subject wajs also received from Mr, Stewart courting the fullest inquiry into the charges.—lt was resolved, after some discussion, to convene a, speeialr meeting of the committee to deal with the matter. Both parties and tho witnesses (if any) to he present. IMPROVEMENT OF GROUND. With roferenco to tho question of tlio improvement of tho back portion of the Central School reserve, the committee are now moving in the matter of adopting «. comprehensive scheme, In tin's respect valuable work has been dono by Mr. Nicholson, a momber of the committee, who has gone to the trouble of surveying the grou.nd, and taking'out the quantities, etc. Mr. McArthur, the Ilorough Engineer, lias also interested himself and expressed his willingness to assist.— After the matter had been discussed, it was resolved that the cominittce meet on the ground on the 12th inst,, and that tho Borough Engineer be asked to attend and givo advice as to the adoption of a scheme in tho laying out of the ground. It was also resolved to communicate with the Board on tlio mat-tor of a subsidy in connection with the work. MISCELLANEOUS.

Tlio following business was also transacted

Visiting Committee: Messrs Nicholso i and Spottiswoodo, That, tlio Board bo asked to fence tlio East- School ground. That, tho order for stationery, etc., bo'given to Mr. Livesey for six months, Accounts were passed amounting to £lO 17a Gd,

Mr, Ridings mentioned the fact that cattle and horses on the loose were proving a great inconvenience ?'■ tho East End in the vicinity of the school.