ASHBURTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1369, 13 October 1886, Page 2

ASHBURTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

The ordinary monthly meeting of h' Ashburton School Committee was hi Id at tho Borough School lust nvning. Present—Messrs J. 0. Duncan ((Jhai'man), Maion, Craighead, J. O r, W. J. Silcook and Diraant. finance The Chairman said the credit balance at the Bank was £3B 19s 3 L CORRESPONDENCE. Letters wore road—(l) From the B ard of Education stating that the Board had no in'ention of curtailing the powers of Committees. (2) From the amae stating that the Board had allowed the school a set of gyraastio apparatus as recommended by the Drill Instructor. (3) From the same stating that the school would be examined by Messrs Wood and Anderson on Monday, *B. (4) From same enclosing salary vouchers. master’s report. The headmaster reported as follows; The number on the school roll for the month of September was as follows : Boys, 218 ; Girls, 211; T >tal 429. The average was B'ys, 158-375; Girlt, 15L575; Total, 309 95-Owing to forgetfulness on my p»rt a Hat of those who did not a tend sixty times during last quarter (a not ready. It will reach the hands of the Chairman by Thu'sday. The prava'eoce of measles will account for the absence of‘such pupils in nearly every case —I forward samples of good attend noe certificates for inspection by Committee. GOOD ATTENDANCE CERTIFICATES The Committee inspected aa aples forwarded by the headmaster. It was dendsd that two classes of

cert'fioates should ba procured. Mr Dim-ant moved that the distribution be made half-yearly. Mr Craighead seconded the motion, which was carded. . It was resolved on the motion of Mr Elston that tho first class certificates contain photographs of the children gaining them, the second class to be cards with an il'uminated border- It was decided that the master be instructed accordingly, SCTOOa REQ ISITES. The Chairman said that he had instructed the master top ocure locally a snpp’y of books. The master had done so and the books, flet is and other requisite were now obtainable at the school. APOLOGY. Mr Silcook apo’ogiaad for the absence of Mr Sawle. ENTERTAINMENT. The Chairman said that the Committee appointed to enquire into the adviaableneas of holding an entertainment for the purpose of raising funds for granting the children a treat had considered it a’vis ab'e that the master should repeat the performance by the children of the cantata which was =o successfully canied out

fomo time ag >. He had interviewed tie master on the subject. The master ex prfs ed his willingness to take the matter up after the examination, u nil which time, of course, he could di nothing. REPAIRS TO SCHOOLS Wdh reference to the circular which had been reodved from the Educati on Department stating that in future repairs to school bnild'ngi wiu d h va to he effected oat. of the incidental fund, Mr Dimint moved ‘ That in the opinion of this Committee the ac im of the Minis'er of Education in reference to payment for repairs to school b iildingis calculated to cause embarrassment and wlllneoeas tata ho suspension of all works that would preserve the school build gs from deesy. ” Mr Ord'head seconded the motion, which was carried. EXAMINATIONS. Mr Silcock m wed •* Tha: a pe’ tion be prepared and presented ta the Board o r Education asking fur the examination for Standards to be held half-yearly, and that other Committees in the district be asked fir their co-operation ’■ He arid that several parsons had spoken to him upon tha subject, and all had expressed themselves In favor of it. Mr Kneeu. headmaster, was favorably impressed with the Idea, but thought the extra expense which would be entailed by its adoption was the main fd n. He enumerated some length the adv'ntigea which be thought would accrue, to the soma effect as when he first brought the motion, forward tome two or three months ago. Mr Eu-ton agreed with the views expressed by Mr Silcock, Mr Dimant poin*el ont that the Ac* would have to be amended, as It -now provided that examinations should b-e held annually. Personally ho was in favor of the proposal, Ha suggested that a circular be addressed to the Chairmen of the School Oomm ttees within the county and their opinion be asked ; possibly they could see objections the Committee could not.

The Chairman w<»a in favor of proposal but was n t sanguine of Its being carried into effeo; owing to (ho extra expense.

Ult'mately it was resolved, on the motion of Mr Craighead, that farther consideration of the matter should be deferred for a month in order that the Chairman might, In the meantime, communicate with the Board of Edusatlon asking- its opinion. Mr Silcock withdrew his motion in favor of Mr Craighead’s. PAYMENTS The ordinary monthly accounts were passed for payment, a Visiting C>mmittee aopointed, and the C immitteo adjourned.