BOROUGH SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 838, 10 January 1883, Page 2

BOROUGH SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

The ordinary monthly mesting of the 1 Committee was held last evening. Pres- 1 sent —Messrs St Hill (Chairman), W. R. ■ Boyle, G. M. Robinson, Andrew Orr, W. 1 Roberts, md J. Ward (secretary). 1 Auditor.—Mr Andrew Orr moved, and 1 Mr Roberts seconded —“ That Mr Gundry ; bo appointed auditor.”—Mr Robinson moved, as an amendment, and the Chairman seconded— “That Mr Boyle be 1 elected auditor.” On the amendment being . put it was declared lost, and the original motion carried. Representative on the Education Board. —The Chairman thought that it was desirable a local man should represent the school on the Board. He considered Mr Orr would make a very suitable representative.—Mr Orr said he would suggest that Mr Ivess be appointed to represent the district on the Board. As it required the support of a number of Committees to secure the election of a representative, a gentlemen who had some considerable influence should be selected. — The Chairman said that Mr Orr could rest assured that the secretary and himself would do their utmost to obtain the support of the other School Committees in the district if he would stand.—Mr Boyle agreed with the Chairman that it would be best to send a local man. —Mr Robinson said it would be cutting their own throats if they send an M. H. R. to represent them on the Board.—The Secretary said he considered Mr Ivess would be the beat person to send to the Board, that is, if he would] stand. The only objection was that Mr Ivess would be perhaps absent in Wellington during part of the time.—The Committee, after considering the matter, appeared to doubt whether Mr Ivess would agree to stand, and ultimately it was decided to nominate Messrs Tancred and Webb. Rfport. —The head Master's report was read as follows : “ I beg to submit my report for the month ended the Sth hist. As the school has been closed for the greater part of the time, my rereport of the actual work must of necessity be very brief. The average attendance for the quarter ended 31st December, 1882, was 364, with a roll of 476. I hope that something will be done to make the attendance more regular than it has hitherto been. As I have already mentioned in one of my reports, the regularity of the majority of the children has been very satisfactory; but still, on looking over the registers and seeing such a number of bad attenders 1 feel that something ought to be done to open the eyes of the children and parents to a sense of their duty. The treat, which came off on the 29th inst., was, under all the accompanying circumstances, satisfactory. I believe the children thoroughly enjoyed themselves, and that was the most important item. I have sincerely to thank you, gentlemen, for your courtesy towards me during the past year, coming here among you as 1 did with a very difficult task before me. I should have indeed found the task a hard one had you not at all times strengthened and endorsed my actions by your approbation. I have tried to overcome these difficulties as they presented themselves, but would not have found it an easy matter had you not by your approval strengthened my hands. The only case in which there was any doubt among some of you as to the justice of my actions was a matter which I had nothing to do in producing. I mean the classification of the children, and which, with the interest of the school at heart, there was only one way of remedying, and that course I adopted. As I said, the fault was not of my creating, nor will it be likely again to occur. Our school is gradually gaining a good place among the schools of New Zealand as regards numbers, and I hope to see its attainments keep pace with its increase in attendance.” The report as read was adopted. Irregular Attendances.—Mr A. Orr asked whether anything had been done in regard to the irregular attendance of children at the school. He considered that the attendance was not such as it should be, and was in no way proportionate to fhe number on the roll. He thought more children should be summoned.—The Chairman said it was a very difficult matter to get the Act to work thoroughly, but it was intended to stringently enforce the clauses of the Act in future. Verandah. —The secretary reported that through pressure of business he had • ot attended to the matter of the verandah. The School Treat.—The secretary read a statement of the accounts connected with the late school treat, which showed a debit balance of 12s 7d. —Vtr Robinson said that there were several subscriptions still duo which were promised, and only required being asked for. Cleaning the School—The Chairman said that he had had the school cleaned out, and had paid 10s to the woman for doing same.—The action of the Chairman was approved of. Donation. —The Chairman reported that Mr Parkin had given a prize at the late distribution ; Mr A; Orr, a bag of sugar ; and Mr Alcorn, a box of tea—for the children’s treat. Voting Papers.—Mr Boyle suggested that voting papers be printed for the election of members at the annual meeting on Monday week.—lt was decided that 200 copies be printed. Annual Meeting.—Some discussion then ensued in reference to the business at the annual meeting, after which the Committee adjourned.