Balclutha School.

Clutha Leader, Volume III, Issue 131, 12 January 1877, Page 6

Balclutha School.

The annual statutory .meeting of house-' holders for the election of a School Com-_ inittse for the ensuing year, was held in the • Schoolroom on Monday evening. There Was a large; attendance, and it is gratifying to "find the. interest that has been excited in political elections in the town and throughout the. district has now Extended *' to educational matters, and secured the - attention of not a few .who- hitherto have manifested no interest .whatever . in the affairs of the school.. This is a very hopeful sign, and we have no doubt the new blood now infused into the School Committee will have a beneficial effect upon our educational institution*. Mr John M'Niel was called to the chair. Mr Alex. Bain read the following report : — ■ Mr Chairman and' Gentlemen,— As provided **by the Educational Ordinance, the duty now devolves upon me. to read to you a report of the -Committee's proceedings during the year 1876. On entering upon our duties we found the in a healthy and flourishing condition, ""with 162. pupils onthe roll, consisting of 81 boys, : and au equal number of girls. - . " During the past year 73 uew pupils have been enteied on the roll, 33 boys and 35 girls; .""hiring the same" period 46 have left the school, so 'that our actual increase only amounts to 27, viz.-, 13 boys and 14 girls. ; , Tbe number now on the roll is 96 boys, and 93 girls, making a total of Thft average attendance at the close of the year was 76 boys and 74 girls, in all, 150. .fn financial matters, despite the dullness ofthe times, we have had ho reason to complain, giving -as a proof that: the parents and guardians of the rising generation are determined to advance -them in then- learning. When we took office we found a credit balance of £5 19s 7d. The reVenues collected from all sources, including coal : and cleaning,- was £217 lis, in all, £223 10s 7d. Out of that amount we have paid on teachers' -•salaries, £135 ;._ furniture, repairs to school buildings, prize money, insurance, cleaning, and firing, planting/school grounds, tfec.', £79 4s 4d ; so that we now leave to your credit £9 Gs Od ; but tho Committee' is still owing £15 for a coal-shed, Agaiost thafc sum tbe amount of £63 12s 6d is to collect for school fees. Mr John Dunne moved the adoption of the report. Seconded by Mr Stewart, and 'earned. Mr Dunne moved a hearty vote of thanks to the retiring Committee. Seconded, by Mr Campbell, and carried. Mr J. S. Fleming acknowledged the vote. The Chairman explained that the next business was the election of a new Committee. * Mr Mason moved that the number of Committee be nine as heretofore. Seconded by Mr Cramond and carried. The following gentlemen were , then nominated members of Committee : — Messrs .-J. M'Niel, Dunne, Campbell, W. Stewart, J. Paterson, Robertson, Hope, Hogg, A. Bain, Revs. M'Aia and Knowles, Cramond, Porter, Canning, Brewer, G. Bain, Harvey, and Ross. The following were r also nominated, but declined to stand : — Messrs Mason, Fleming, Nicol, Dr Smith, Marr, R. Grigor, aiid A. Stewart. The vote was by ballot, which resulted m the first nine being elected. A vote of thanks to . the Chairman concluded the proceedings. A meeting. of the newly-eler-ted Committee^ was lield immediately after the • above meeting, when Mr Dunne proposed that Mr J. M'Niel be elected -permanent Chairman of tbe j 'Committee. Seconded by Mr Campbell, j and ca-rried. j Mr M'Niel thereupon took the chair, j ; and returned thanks for the honor conferred upon him. Mr A. 'Bain was elected Secretary, and Mr J. Paterson Treasurer. It was agreed that -the meetings of Com- " mittee be held at 8.30 p.m. on the first Monday of every* month. The meeting then adjourned.