ASHBURTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume I, 16 October 1879, Page 3

ASHBURTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE

The usual monthly meeting of the School Committee was held on Tuesday night. Present : Messrs St. Hill (in the chair), Bradley, and Gollins. On the reading of the minutes a question was raised as to the legality of the payment of a sum of £1 4s, the balance due on a treat given to the children last year, and left as a legacy by the late Committee, and the expense was eliminated from the minutes, which were then passed. Correspendence was read from the Secretary to the Board of Education, advising the Committee of the payment of the sum of £3l 5s for incidental expenses, and £SB 9s 3d for salaries ; from the same body, stating that the appointment of pupil teachers rested with the Board, and no appointments ought to be made by the Committee ; from the same re application for an infant school, informing the Committee that the Inspector would visit the school in the early part of next month, and be expected to report specially on the question, and with respect to the scale of salaries it was intended that the whole organisation of the school would he reviewed when the Board had received the Inspector’s report, and had completed a general scheme for staff and salaries, which was now under consideration, for all schools throughout the district. Replying to an application for drainage of the school grounds, the Secretary to the Board said that the subject would be reported 'upon by the Board’s Architect. Several small accounts were submitted for payment, and payment of the same was authorised to the extent of the funds in hand. The master’s report was read. It showed that the largest attendance on any day was 324 ; the strict average, 264 ; and the working average, 2G9. The report recommended certain necessary repairs, which were referred to the Works Committee, with instructions to repair the swings, etc., in the play grounds. The appointment of a care-taker was considered, the duties of the office including the cleaning of the schools and outbuildings, cutting hedges, and keeping the gardens in order, besides other duties of a minor nature. These works had cost something over £6O last year. It was resolved that Mrs Thompson be appointed care-taker, at a salary of 10s per week, and have permission to occupy the cottage rent free.

Messrs Gollins and Bradley were appointed a Visiting Committee for the ensuing month, and the meeting terminated.