SOUTH RAKAIA SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1552, 14 July 1885, Page 2

SOUTH RAKAIA SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

A special maetins; of the South Hakaia School Committee was held last evening. < Present Messrs Hardy (chairman), ( Fletcher, Philips, Turner, Reycroft, , Broadbent and Oxley. I The Chairman stated that the meeting , was called to consider the master’s ex- | planation in respect to an alleged omission , from his last report. , The report and explanation were read as follows : —“ Rakaia, July 6, 1885. To the Chairman of the District School , Committee. Dear Sir, —I have the honor to report the attendance at yonr school as follows; —Average for past month, 133.8 ; average for past week, 134 1; highest attendance, 166 ; number on roll, 184 ; strict average per quarter, 128.7 ; working average per quarter, 133.8. The number of children attending the school is in excess of the accommodation, and it 1s to be hoped that the promised additions will be made before long. The work done to the grounds since last meeting has greatly improved them. One fence, however, still needs some repairs. 1 hope your Committee will give the date of the midwinter holidays ; it is as well not to put them off too long, because of the annual examination in October. A few indiarnbber cases are needed for the football in use at the school. As your boys were victorious in their last match with Ashburton High School I hope your Committee whl grant them this. —W. Dixon.” (Explanation.) Raksia, July 7, 1885. The Chairman, School Committee.— Dear Sir, —In acknowledging receipt of letter of to-day’s date from the Hon. Secretary of your Committee, 1 beg to state that it is not naual to insert private correspondence in a teacher’s report. With regard to sickness among the scholars, I consider that the fact of the attendance being higher during the past month than it has ever been previously during the month of June is sufficient evidence that the illness has been of a moat trivial nature. You cannot therefore be surprised that I did not consider the subject as of 1 sufficient importance for the consideration of your Committee. Hoping that this ex- ' planation will satisfy your Committee, 1 (herewith return you the report. Yours, eto.,

W. Dixon. Mr Turner moved —“ That the report be considered not satisfactory. and be again referred to the master. ” Mrs Boyle had written to the master re some contagious sickness in the school, and had been replied to. Mr Robiuson's children had also suffered, aud kept away; also Mr Reycraft’s ; also Mr Thompson’s. Dr Ross was of opinion that the sickness was a description of skin disease. Mr Reycraft seconded the resolution, and stated that he had kept his own children away through the sickness. The Chairman called attention to clause 87 of the Education Act, and thought Mr Turner had acted a most absurd part. There was nothing before the meeting. Mr Turner thought the master should be censured for not reporting the sickness.

Mr Broadbent was of opinion that the master should not be asked to send copies of correspondence to the Oommittee. He had frequently been asked to champion grievances, but had always said If you have any complaint, report to the Committee and you will receive consideration.” Ho would move as an amendment—“ That the master’s report with his reply be received.” The amendment was seconded by Mr Fletcher.

Mr Turner, with the permission of Mr Reycraft, would withdraw his motion, as he saw it was the wish of the Committee to shield the master from blame, but he would reserve to himself the right to call a public meeting of householders to consider the matter. Mr Oxley suggested that if a meeting were called it might be well to invite a few Ashburton friends to attend. They appeared to be well up in the matter. The Chairman would like to state that his own children had attended the school for some years, and he had found the attention given the pupils was satisfactory. Rich and poor received equal cars : and the master carried out his duties well. Mr Turner was only one on the C >mmittee, and if the others were satisfied he (Mr Turner) should be. Mr Turner's motion having been withdrawn, Mr Broadbent’s amendment was carried. It was then resolved that tha materials asked for in tha report be procured. On the motion of Mr Geycraft, seconded by Mr Turner, the Chairman was re quested to interview the Board of Education with regard to tha additions to the school, and to urge upon tha Board tha immediate need of the w >rk. The meeting then adjourned.