SOUTH RAKAIA SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume I, Issue 32, 9 December 1879, Page 4

SOUTH RAKAIA SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the above School Committee was held on Tuesday evening last. Members present; Messrs. A. Makeig (chairman), Wm. Kemble, Sharp, and N. Welsh,. The Chairman informed the Committee that he had signed the salary cheques for November.

The schoolmaster’s report for the month was read, shewing an increase in the attendance of 19.

On the motion of Mr. Sharp it was decided that Mr. Hall be requested to obtain for the use of the school 3 dozen small slates, chalk, pens, etc. It was resolved that a fortnight should be allowed the children for Christinas holidays ; and that Mr. Hale’s requisition for the use of the school for night classes should stand over till next meeting. A letter was received from Mr. Laurie with reference to his account.

• ,Oa the motion of Mr. Sharp, it was decided that Mr. Laurie be informed that the Committee were not responsible for timbet purchased by contractors. The coi/tractors in this instance had to find the material, but any amount for coal and firewood included in the account would be paid by the Committee, the balance he would have to look' to the contractor, Thos. Byrne, for. From Mr. Hall and Miss Jack, with reference to the amount of salaries, which they declined to accept owing to a discrepancy in the amounts, and asking that the mattler bo referred to the Board of Education. The Committee, in referring the letters of Miss Jack and Mr. Hall to the Board of Education, considered that they had a just and equitable ground for complaint, not only on the reduction of their salaries on being appointed to a larger and more important school than that which they had resigned, but having a large daily increasing attendance of children. This Committee Urgently requested the Board to reconsider the amount of salaries passed for them, they being less than the amount of salary allowed to the last master and mistress. The Committee consider the salaries inadequate to their position and below the standard scale—the average on the roll now being 100. It was resolved to inform the Board that owing to the increased attendance at the school the present building is quite inadequate for the proper teaching of so large a number, and the daily increase renders it necessary that more room should be provided. The Committee pointed out to the Board that so many children confined in a room measuring 50ft. x 17ft. is not conducive to the health of the children and teachers, and urgently requested that the Board will take immediate steps to have an addition made to the building. They further brought under the notice of the Board the advisability of erecting a close fence across' the play-ground to separate the sexes. ■

It was further resolved that the Board of Education should be written to, asking them to sanction the appointment of Charles Heating as pupil teacher to the South Rakaia School. It was decided to invite tenders for needful repairs, &c., on the grounds, fences, and gates of the school, and the Chairman and Mr. Welsh were appointed a committee to accept the best tender. ■ The master was instructed" to apply to Committee for any school-books, slates or other requirements for the use of the school and a sub-committee was appointed to fix the price. It was decided to call a special meeting to consider the time and place for giving the school-children their annual treat. The Committee then adjourned.