BOROUGH SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1453, 11 February 1885, Page 2

BOROUGH SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

The ordinary meeting of the above Committee was hold last evening in the Borough school. Present Messrs Williamson, Thomas, Tucker, A. Orr, John Orr, Collins and S. W. Alcorn. CLERK AND TREASURER Mr Charles Braddell was appointed Clerk and Treasurer, and, with the Chairman, was authorised to tign cheques. CORRESPONDENCE The fo’lowing correspondence was read: -(1) From Mr Gilboy resigning his position of third master.—(2) From the Board of Education re requisites for the side school.—(3) From the same, stating that the Board did not object to receive Mr Gilboy’a resignation, so pb to take effect upon the Bth instant.—(4) From the same, enclosing the names of the members nominated for election on the Board.— (5) From the Killinchey, Courtenay and Ktrwee districts, recommending the election of Mr Anson on the Board.—(6) Fiom the Secretary of the Educational Institute, asking the Committee to grant the usual two days holiday, in order to allow the masters an opp rtunity of attending the yearly meeting of the Institute. —(7) From the manager of the Union Bank, in reference to the signing of cheques. EDUCATION BOARD EX. CXION.

Mr Thomas moved, Mr Collins seconded, and it was carried—“ That this Committee nominate Messrs Montgomery, Anson and Booth as members of the Board.” M'STER’s report. The Master’s report was read as follows: —‘‘ I beg to submit my report on the school for the rast week. Attendance Main school, 323.7 ; side school, 122 3 ; total, 446. Roll number—Main school, 427; side school, 150. Teachers—The teachers all returned to their duties on 26th January, except Mr Sterling, who

is ill and under the treatment of a doctor.

His place was taken by Mr Wilkinson. Mr Gilboy left on Monday morning last to take charge of the Catholic School, in this town, his place has not been fillel. Requisites —The mistress of the side school asked me to draw the attention of the Committee to the necessity of a dividing fence between the boys’ and girls’ play-ground, also to the want of the usual swings and gymnastics appliances for the children. In the main school the black boards require thorough painting, as many of them will hardly show chalk marks.” Mr Tho-.ras thought that steps should be taken to enforce the compulsory clauses of the Education Act, as he was aware

that a number of children absented themselves from school. He moved a resolution to that effect, which was seconded by Mr John Orr and carried. SIDE SCHOOL. Mr Thonas drew the attention of the Committee to the crowded state of the side school. A$ one of the Visiting Committee, he inspected the school and found that the infant children were so numerous that no sitting room could be found for them. Such being the case it was impossible to instruct the children in the Standards. He moved—“ That the Board of Education be urged to erect an additional room for the infants of the side school. "

Mr Andrew Orr seconded the resolution, and it was carried. ASSISTANT TEACHER. It was resolved —*' Ihat the Board be requested to authorise the Committee to advertise for $n assistant teacher, in the place of Mr Gilboy, resigned” MISCELLANEOUS It was decided to obtain the requisites applied for by tha mistress of the Side School, and also to have the black boards re painted. The Master’s report was then adopted. inspector's report.

Mr S. W, Alcorn said that he had found that the reply to the Inspector’s report, sent in by the head master, had only been foi warded to the Board of Education by Mr Ward since the election of the new Committee. Such being the case, the present Committee should have had the report to deal with. Lika other actions of the old Committee and its Secretary,

they had evidently determined to suppress the master’s reply, aud deal with it as they wished. He would move—“ That the Board be asked to return the master’s reply, wijth the inspector’s report, before dealing’ with thfe mattoy.” Mr I’honaas said JVlr Alcorn wa§ evidently cavilling at something -the ipld Committee had dona, and which was entirely foreign to the present Committee. The old Committee were asked to deal with the report and the master’s reply, and according to their minutes had done so, and left the matter entirely in the hands of the Bdardi'and no doubt as soon as the lattey had considered the same their reply would be forthcoming, together with the document?. {Messrs Andrew On and Tucker concurred with the view taken by Mr Thomas.

“ t -«lrmaa thought the Committee V 1 V , . M Inspectors’ could do nothing unu, ... ' •-«« report headmaster’s reply were Deio.„ them. Mr John Orr said the Board should be asked to make all convenient despatch with their reply. It wia decided to write to the Board, and state that the Committee wore anxioUa to have the mister’s reply, etc , and the Board’s decision thereon forwarded at a? early a date as possible. I ACIutNTS. After passing accounts for payment the Committee adjourned, j