ASHBURTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1444, 31 January 1885, Page 2

ASHBURTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE

A meeting of the above Committee was held Let evening in the schoolroom. Present —Messrs Williamson (in the chair), A. Orr, W. Collins, S. W. Alcorn, John Orr, D. Thomas and Joshua Tucker. The Chairman explained that the object of the mee'ing was to appoint a Secretary to the Committee and transact any other business brought before them. Mr J. Orr proposed, and Mr Collins seconded—“ That Mr D. Thomas act as Secretary pro tern.’’

Mr Ward asked the Chairman to be allowed to make a few remarks before the resolution was put. He reminded the Committee that he had been appointed Secretary in 1878, and it was but scant courtesy that be should be summarily dealt with in the manner proposed. He fully expected that notice would have been given him, stating that his services were no longer required, as was the usual custom with any servant. He would of course submit to the ruling of the Chairman as to whether he was not entitled to the usual notice, particularly as his appointment had been confirmed by the Board of Education.

The Chairman explained to Mr Ward that he did not think his appointment was in any way of a permanent character, but merely ex sted from year to year. As to any claim for compensation, it would of course be a matter for the Committee to consider further on. It was the Com-

mittee’s prerogative to appoint their own secretary, and they could not be bound in the. matter by any action of their predecessors. He would, however, take the opinion of the meeting thereon. Mr Thomas considered that the present Committee had nothing to do with Mr Ward. The other members of the Committee present having concurred with Mr Thomas’s opinion, the Chairman put tho resolution, which was carried unanimously. Mr Ward thereupon handed over the books and papers of the Committee. Mr Alcorn moved that all documents, books, etc., in reference to the school now iu the hands of the late secretary, be handed over to the Committee. Mr A. Orr seconded the resolution, which was carried.

Appointment op secretary. The Chairman having opened the applications for the post of secretary, the members present went into Committee to consider them, and on resuming reported the appointment of Mr G. Braddell as secretary at a salary of Ll 5 per annum.

CORRESPONDENC 8. The following correspondence was read: —(1) From Mr Stirling, stating that he was unwell, and enclosing a doctor’s certificate testifying to his inability to attend his duties in the school.—(2) From the Board, stating that Mr E. Williamson second master of the Dunedin Normal •School had been appointed temporarily in Mr Sterling’s place, the latter having applied for leave of absence for a week or two.—(3) From the same, stating that the desks required by the committee would be ordered at once, and requesting the Committee to send as soon as possible the height of the desks required.—(4)JFrom the same, stating that Emerson’s tender of L2B 5s for levelling and draining the ground at the sideschool had been accepted. LETTER-BOOK.

Mr Thomas proposed, Mr Tucker seconded, and it was carried—“ That copies of all letters and communications from this committee in relation to any business whatever be inserted in a letterbook, to be procured for the purpose. MASTERS’ REPORT.

The Master’s report was read as fo3 lows:

“Ashburton Borough Pchool, “ 30:h January, 1885.

“ I visited the side school yesterday, and found it overcrowded. The teachers have more classes than they can attend to, and 1 would suggest to the Committee the advisableness of making Standard 11. the highest standard there at present. There are 15 in Standard 111., these would get more attention in the main school, and would create room for the little ones, who are quite able to fill the place themselves. “ 1 also beg to call your attention to the great confusion arising from children going from one school to the other and only staying a short time at each. I hay? had considerable experience in this at Home, and know that when pupils fancied they had beeu ill-used in any way they would go to another school for a time, and, of course, they suffered in consequence. If you could make any rule on the matter you would prevent much trou le. 1 foresaw this bafore the opening of the aide school, and some have already commenced to migrate between the two schools.”

MISCELLANEOUS, It was resolved that only the children under Standard HI. be allowed to remain in the sideschool, owing to its crowded condition.

Mr Thomas thought that something should be done to prevent children from moving from one school to another. It was resolved that no children be allowed to leave the main school to attend the side school, until the headmaster is satisfied that such children have a right to do so.

VISITING COMMITTEE. Messrs Thomas and A. Orr were appointed a Visiting Committee for the month, and the Committee then adjourned until Tuesday next.