SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 78, 17 April 1877, Page 2

SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

Little River

The annual public meeting of householders was held at the sclioolhouse, Little River, on Monday evening, the 9th instant. The attendance was good. Mr. H. E. Tyson occupied the chair. The Chairman explained why the meeting had been convened, and having read the report of the proceedings of the committee, and the inspector's report on the past year, desired to know if any ratepayer present had any questions to ask, whereupon Mr. A. D, Allan said that Mr. G. R. Jbblin had been deputed by the committee to wait on the Board of Education to ascertain their viewswith respect to the removal of the school and he would like to know the result. The Chairman replied that the Board of Education would not enter into the question until the committee could furnish them with estimates of the cost that the removal would involve. Mr. Allan complained of the manner in which the prizes had been awarded to the school children, and said that the committee had totally ignored the inspector's marks, having left the awarding of the prizes to the school-master's discretion, which he considered unjust, and a bad compliment to Mr. Restal. He also complained tliat cattle were allowed to trespass in the school enclosure, damaging the quicks and shrubs. That a gymnastic had been erected, and he considered it the duty of the schoolmaster to instruct the children in those exercises. Mr. Westropp said it was not his duty to teach the children, (he was not an acrobat). The bar had been erected for their amusement, and they could use it of their own free will. Mr. Walters requested the Chairman to read the minutes of the meeting of the committee, wherein it was resolved to charge the sum of one guinea to any person requiring the use of the schoolroom for an evening's entertainment. He thought the room should be open to the ratepayers free of charge. The Chairman said that it would rest with the new committee to alter the rules if they thought it necessary. In reply to other questions from Mr. Walters, the Chairman said.that any person wishing to inspect the accounts for the past year could do so, also that he had forwarded a copy of the accounts to Mr. Olivier, but he could not say that they had been audited. Considerable discussion here ensued in reference to this matter. Eventually it was proposed by Mr. Powrie, seconded by Mr. Fulton, and carried —" That the Board of Education be made acquainted with the fact that the accounts of the Little River School Committee were laid

before the annual meeting of householders, not duly audited."

The Chairman then called on the meeting to elect two members in the place of W. Coop and J. Gilliatt, who retire by rotation.

It was moved by Mr. Powrie, and geconded, " That the committee consist of six members."

Mr. Walters moved, as an amendment—" That the committee consist of eight members."

Mr. Gilliatt moved—" That the commiittee consist of four." but as there seemed to be no one else of this opinion, Mr. Powrie seconded it pro forma.

This proposal on being put to the meeting, received no support,' while for those of Messrs Powrie and Walters, the votes were equal. The Chairman gave a casting vote in favour of Mr. Powrie's motion, and declared it carried.

The electioon for a new committee then took place, which resulted in the following gentlemen being elected—R.. Powrie, James Reynolds,. Alfred Degg,, and John Reynolds.

A vote of thanks to the Chairman, terminated the proreedings.

Immediately afterwards the committee met, and elected Mr. Powrie Chairman.

Little Akaloa,

Owing to the unsettled state of the weather, there was but a meagre attendance.

Mr. J. B. Barker, on taking the chair, stated that the retiring members were, Mr. Bennett,, who had resigned, Mr. M. R. Ash win, who had forfeited his seat through non-attendance, and Messrs H. Mclntosh, and J. Pawson, who had retired by ballot. The Chairman then submitted the following report :— REPORT. Gentlemen, —Your Committee, in submitting- their report for the j>ast year, have pleasure in stating that, notwithstanding the resignation of one of their number and the non-attendance of another, the remaining six have worked harmoniously and efficiently together. The school was inspected by Mr. Restel on May 2nd, , and again on November 9th, on both of which occasions, it is gratifying to hear, th at very s atisf actory reports were received. An examination for prizes was held at Christmas by the Eev. D. O'Hampton and Mr. Harris, when £3 worth of prizes were competed for, kindly presented by W. Montgomery, Esq. Special prizes were also awarded by the teacher. The accounts were audited on February 22nd last, and found correct, being supported by the necessary vouchers and receipts. A sum of £40 10s has recently been spent on the improvement of the school premises, viz.—Filling gully, varnishing schoolroom, repairing chimneys, and building porch to master's house. These improvements have, in your committee's estimation, materially improved the appearance of the site, and added to the comfort of the teachers. With regard to the attendance at school, a slow but steady increase, is observable. This, in itself, is an encouraging fact, but your committee are of opinion that it might be still further improved, and that the determination of parents to educate their children is quite as essential to success as school appliances or plodding teachers. Your committee, far from desponding, think they have every reason to be thankful for the past, and hopeful for the future.

The report and a statement of accounts were adopted. After which the following four gentlemen were proposed and seconded to be members of the School Committee, viz,, Messrs R. G. Rix, H. Mclntosh, A. Mclntosh, and C. Arthur. Mr. James Pawson was also proposed and seconded, but declined the honour of re-election. The former four were then declared duly elected. German Bay. The annual meeting of householders of German Bay School District took place on April 9, with a small attendance. REPORT. The Committee report the German Bay School having been conducted very successfully by the late master, Mr. Harris, for the first ten months of the present committee's term of office, indeed the number of children attending quarter ending December 81, averaged 47-16, with t>o on the books, entitling the school to the services of a full-time assistant mistress. Mrs. Langbridge was appointed assistant mistress, commencing her duties on February 31, and has since then attended to the younger children. She has now left, and the schoolmaster left without giving or receiving any notice about February 1, so that since then the school has been completely disorganised. The committee have now elected Mr. Martin Sheard as schoolmaster, and expect him to re-open the school in a few days. The school accounts to December 31, 1876, were audited by the Provincial Auditor, when there was a debtor balance of eighteen shillings against the committee.

Messrs Geo. Breitmeyer, James Hammond, and Thomas Perm, are the outgoing committeemen, and three gentlemen have now to be elected to fill their places. ..-."' Thomas Perm, Geo. Breitmeyer, James Hammond, and ;Ja'mes Prince were nominated,, and the show of hands being in favour of ihe first three, they were declared by the Chairman to be duly elected on the committee. A vote of thanks was then passed to the Chairman. At a committee meeting held after ~ wards, Robert Dawber was re-elected Chairman, and Miss Jane Roberts was

elected assistant school mistress, subject to the sanction of Board of Education. Gebbib's Flat. A public meeting was held in the schoolroom, Gebbie's Flat, on Monday last, April 9, for the purpose of electing - three members for the School Committee, 'in place of those retiring. Mr. John Gebbie read a letter from the Board of Education, appointing him to officiate as chairman. He then laid before the meeting a balance-sheet, shewing the money that had been expended during the past year, .a balance of £± 7s. being in hand. He said there were yet some outstanding accounts which had not been sent in. The meeting having approved of the balance-sheet, proceeded to elect three members in place of Mr. T. Reeve, Mr. M. Wheeler, and Mr. G. Autler, the retiring members. Mr. Braving proposed, Mr. Radford ; secynded by Mr. Reeves. Mr. Braving proposed and Mr. Butler seconded, Mr Wheeler. No other candidates being proposed, the chairman declared Messrs Reeve, - Radiford, and Wheeler duly elected. The chairman said as the inspector's last report had not been laid before them he would take the opportunity of ** reading it. Gebbie's Valley School, examined October 30, 1876. Class presented in Standard IV.— Frances Reeve, passed ; Thomas Parkinson, passed ; D. Gebbie, passed ; J. C. Gebbie, failed ; Emily Braving, passed; Ernest Radford, passed ; Minnie Radford, pssscd ; W. Braving, failed ; M. Reeves, passed. Results.—lV, 6, 111, 3. Total, 9. Report.—The class has been carefully taught with generally successful results in each subject. The reading would be improved by greater attention to punctuation. The writing, grammar, and geography are good for the IV Standard. Class presented in Standard 111. — M. Gebbie, passed ; E, Wheeler, passed; John Reeve, passed ; Thomas Wheeler, m failed ; S. Radford, passed ; H. Wheeler, failed ; Margaret Johnston, failed ; P. Butler, failed ; John Johnston, passed. Results.—lll, 5;II 4. Total, 9. Re- „, port.—The attainments, especially in writing, arithmetic, are good for the 111 Standard. Class presented in Standard ll.— M. A. Johnston, passed II; J. Braving, passed I ; S. J. Johnston, J. Ham, Jos. Ham, failed; N. Butler, passed, I. Results.—ll, 1;I,2; 0, 3. Total, 6. The attainments are fair for the time at school. The scholars of this class should try to keep their copybooks clean. Beginners' Class. —S. Edmunds, J. Wheeler, J. Johnston, M.. Butler, C. Edmunds. Summary of standards passed :— IV 111 II I 0 Total 6 8 5 2 8 29 J. P. Restell. The Chairman thought the report was most satisfactory.

Mr. 11 ad ford said lie should propose *" a vote of approbation to the scliool- ■ master, Mr. E. F. Barnett, for the satisfactory way in which the school had been conducted since he had been there, * and lie tliought there were not many schools that could boast of haying so many raised to higher standards out of 29 pupils. This was seconded by Mr. Butler, and carried nem con. A rote of thanks was also voted to the chairman and the retiring members. Mr. Barnett having thanked the meeting for the compliment paid him,

the Committee then met and elected

Mr. John Gebbie, as chairman for the ensuing year, and then adjourned till Saturday next, to meet at 6.30 p.m. Okain's Bay.

The School Committee met on April

9th. Present—Messrs Ware, (Chairman), Sefton, Moore, James, Harris, and Wells.

Tenders for varnishing school and sinking well were opened. Mr. T. Ware, for well, £11 15s, and E. W. Harris, for varnishing, £9, were accepted, subject to approval of the Board of Education.

The half-year's expenditure was read and approved.

The meeting then adjourned,

A public meeting also met on the same date to elect School Committee members in the place of Messrs Ware, Moorce, & id Harris, who retire by rotation.

M. T. Ware presided, and requested the Secretary to read notice convening the meeting; also a letter from the Secretary of the Board of Education, appointing him (Mr. T. Ware) Returning Officer. He also read the balancesheet of the past year. The receipts amounted to £265 18s Id ; expenditure, £259 3s Bd.

Thanks to the retiring members were proposed, and carried unanimously. Mr. W. Moore proposed—" That Mr. T. Ware be re-elected."

The motion was seconded by Mr James.

Mr. E. W. Harris -was proposed by W. Moore, seconded by Mr. T. Ware.

■ Mr. W. Moore was proposed by Mr, T. Ware, and seconded by Mr. J "Wells.

No other candidates being nominated, the Returning Officer declared Messrs Moore, Harris, and Ware duly elected. The public meeting then terminated •with a vote of thanks to the Returning Officer.

At a subsequent meeting of new committee, Mr. J. Wells was unanimously elected Chairman.

A schoolmaster at Auckland has been sentenced to two months' hard labour for striking his wife and step-daughter, #nd ordered afterwards io be bound eyer to keep the peace.