CROMWELL SCHOOL.

Cromwell Argus, Volume I, Issue 10, 12 January 1870, Page 5

CROMWELL SCHOOL.

The annual statutory mooting for the elootion of a School Committee was hold on Monday evening last. The attendauee of the public was, as usual, almost nil— beyond the members of the retiring Committeo there being hardly a soul present. This apathy is highly discreditable to the community, and very disheartening to those who act as members of Committe. We trust that in future a little better taste will be shown by the general public • Mr Marsh took the chair. The Secretary (Mr Bootn) road the annual report, as follows : " Gentlemen, —Before retiring from the duty which you imposed upon us at this time last year, permit us to lay a statement before you showing the manner in which we have performed the duties then entrusted to our care. In doing so, we may congratulate you on the satisfactory state of the school affairs during the year which has just passed away. The receipts were— Balance from last year, £l2 13s Id; Government aid, £IOO ; school fees, £94 138 ; subscriptions, rents, &c, £3l 19s Gd; special Government aid, £95: total, £334557 d.— Expenditure—Teacher's salary, £200; repairs, extensions, &c, £8 18s ; sundry expenses, £lO 9s ; special expenditure (fence, &c), £lO2 16s 3d ; balance on hand, £l2 2s 4d : total, £334 5s 7d. (Examined and found correct by Messrs Preshaw and Wright, auditors). The balance on hand, you will observe, is about equal to the amount left by your predecessors, but it may be mentioned that sums are now due to the Committee which amount to £34 10s, viz., £25 as Government aid to teacher's salary, £5 as rent from the A.O.P. Friendly Society, and £4 10s due as school fees. The school being entirely free from outstanding liabilities, our successors in office will begin with an available balance of about 46/. 10*. Of the 31/ 19s Gd set down under the head of subscriptions, &c, the sum of 11. 12s Gd was contributed as donations by two gentlemen—s/. being given by Mr Brian Hebden, and 21. 12* Gd by Dr Shaw, of Clyde. The sum of 12/. lls Gd, realised by a popular entertainment in May, is the next principal item, the balance being made up by rents received for use of room, &c." "When your Committee took office they found that a very important duty had been left by their predecessors for them to do, viz., the fencing-in of the school reserve—though it is only fair to mention that the then retiring Committee had simplified the work by obtaining from Government a promise of the sum of 65/. in aid of the necessary expenses. That work was completed by us, and we believe to the geueral satisfaction of all interested in the welfare of the school. Since completing the fence, your Committee has made considerable improvements on the school buildings—erecting new writing-desks, extending the playground, <fce. The special Government aid is thus accounted for—the sum of 65/. was spent on the fence and 37/. 16$ 3d upon repairs and extensions to school buildings and playground. " During the past year a Visiting Committee examined the school on several occasions, and reported themselves well pleased with the state of the school. " In conclusion, your Committee have to ex,presa,their deep sense of ob'igation to all who generously assisted in the efforts made to increase the funds, and urgently to impress upon you the necessity of supporting the incoming Committee in any future efforts made for the same purpose. "With earnest hopes that the affairs of the school will prosper in even a higher degree during the ensuing than during the past year, we now beg to resign our trust into your hands." On the motion of Mr Fenwick, seconded by Mr Wright, the report as read was received and adopted. Votes of thanks to the Chairman, the Secretary and Treasurer, and the Committee, were ordered to be recorded in the minute-book. The election of a new Committee was then proceeded with. Twenty-one householders were nominated, and on a ballot being taken the following were elected : —Messrt Marsh, Kelly, Preshaw, Wright, Fenwick, Whetter, Carrick, Fraer, and Goodger. Mr Booth intimated that he could not hold office again, as he was about leaving the distriet. Mr Marsh was again elected Chairman. Mr Preshaw was proposed and seconded as Secretary and Treasurer, but declined to stand. Mr Fraer was elected to the office. Messrs Wright and Carrick were elected auditors; and Messrs Marsh, Preshaw, and Fenwick a Visiting Committee.