A SCHOOL FOR BANNOCKBURN.

Cromwell Argus, Volume 2, Issue 88, 18 July 1871, Page 5

A SCHOOL FOR BANNOCKBURN.

Pursuant to notice published in our last week's issue, a number of persons interested in the formation of a Public School for the Bannockbiirn district met in the large room of Hallidiy's Hotel, on the evening of Wednesday, the 12th inst., at 8 o'clock. Upwards of forty gentlemen were in attendance. Mr James Stuart was unanimously voted to the chair ; and Mr Gee, by general consent, was appointed Secretary, pen. trim. The Chairman explained the reasons existing for calling the inhabitants together. He stated that the number of children in the district was gradually increasing, and already their numerical strength entitled the people of the district, in 1113 opinion, to call upon the Government for a33istauce in providing education for the rising generation. The want of such means of instruction was a source of much mental pain to parents, and, indeed, to all classes residing in the locality. To remove or alleviate this evil, a school must be established as quickly as possible. If a long pull, a strong pull, and a pull altogether were given, the matter would soon be remedied. He deemed it advisable, though, that a beginning should be at once made by themselves ; and he (the Chairman) would undertake to contribute a yearly sum for such a purpose, in addition to paying such schoolfees a3 his children would incur by attendance.

The following gentlemen were unanimously elected as a committee to carry out the work of establishing a school:—Messrs J. Halliday, R. Scott, J. Ciudwick, Jas. Stuart, W. Behrens, J. Alley, J. Baatty, J. Marshall, and A. Ritchie.

The clause of the Education Ordinance; bearing upon the course to be pursued in or- j ganisiug the school was read by the Chair-! man, who, in reply to several questions, fur- '' nished much useful information on this head ' to the meeting. It was resolved that the district should be at once canvassed for subscriptions ; and a subscription-list having been handed round in the room, the sum of £32 13s was promised by those present at the meeting. It was arranged that the Committee should meet on the 13th ; and a vote of thanks to the Chairman and Secretary terminated the proceedings. A Committee meeting was held on the date above-mentioned, at which the following gentlemen were present:—Messrs Halliday (in the chair), Stuart, Ritchie, Alley, Beatty (Secretary), Scott, and Chadwick. It was elicited that upwards of thirty children were ready to attend school as soon as an opportunity of doing so was made available. Mr Beatty was instructed to prepare a memorial, and undertook to obtain the necessary signatures of the district residents. We believe an eligible site has been looked out for the school, in a healthy and sunny spot near Mr Halliday's store.