Meetings of Householders.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 364, 30 April 1903, Page 5

Meetings of Householders.

ALEXANDRA. The annual meeting of householders for the election of a school committee for the ensuing term, was held in the Alexandra school-house on Monday evening last. There were fourteen householders ; in attendance, and the chairman of the retiring committee (Mr James Kelman) presided. The report of the retiring committee was read as follows :

"The average attendance at the school during the past year has been as follows: Average attendance, 166-2 ; average roll number, 192. " Shortly after the committee took office, the new infant room was opened, and has been fully equipped with upto date furniture. The wisdom of the Education Board in erecting such a lasting and substantial building, has been fully warranted by the average attendance for the year. Substantial and up-to-date out-offices have also been provided provided by the Board for the use of the children.

" Your committee, ever active in attending to the sanitary state of the school, had the old infant room thoroughly cleansed and calcimined. The Education Board also re-arranged the seating accommodation, put in anew floor, and a window in the north end of the room, and also provided new stoves for each of the rooms. To prevent the children spitting on their slates to clean them your committee provided water wells—one for each child. " Wands for physical exercises have also been provided. " The school is now fully equipped with wands and dumb-bells, and it is a recommendation to the incoming committee to procure thirty or forty sets of Indian clubs for physical exercises. " The school was examined by Inspectors Fitzgerald and Richardson in November last, with satisfactory results. " The Staff.—The school is now fully staffed according to Regulations, and consists of Mr Gloss (headmaster) Miss Paul (mistress), Miss Alexander (assistant), and two pupil teachers—Master W. O. Closs and Miss Mary Colquhoun. " The staff carry out their respective duties in an efficient and praiseworthy manner. , " Financial. The balance sheet shows a substantial credit balance, but this is more than counter-balanced by the amount of outstanding accounts, and your committee regret not to be able to hand over to you a more satisfactory statement." The balance sheet was read, showing a credit balance of £l2 18s 4d at March 31st. In speaking to the report, the chairman made,reference to the advisability of building a gymnasium with the legacy left to the school by the late Mrs M'Donald. He regretted that the financial position of the school committee was not more encouraging, the grant allowed by the Board being really insufficient to meet their requirements. He suggested asking the assistance of the public. The report and balance-sheet were adopted, on the motion of Mr Eraser, seconded by Mr Schaumann. The election of a new committee was then proceeded with. ~ The following gentlemen were nominated :—-Messsrs J. Kelman, H. Schaumann, "W. Fraser, W. S. Laidlaw, S. M'Knight, L. Anderson, P. Campbell, J. D. Buchanan, B. Davis, and W. M. Turner.

On a ballot being taken, the following were declared duly elected:— Messrs Anderson, Schaumann, Kelman, Laidlaw, M'Knight, Campbell, and Buchanan. On the motion of Mr Laidlaw, seconded by Mr Appleton, a hearty vote of thanks was passed to the teaching staff for the efficient work done by them during the year. The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the chairman.