SCHOOL ELECTIONS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1110, 25 April 1911, Page 8

SCHOOL ELECTIONS.

HOUSEHOLDERS MEET.-} / THE YEAR REVIEWED. NEW COMMITTEES. The annual statutory meeting of ■householders in school districts held for the purposo of receiving the reports of out-going school'committees and electing new committes for tho ensuing year, took place last evening. Tho elections passed off very quietly, thero being, no burning questions at issuo this year, save that relating.to tho New Zealand 'Educational. Institute's compaign for a national system of classification and promotion of teachers. The institute had invited the ■, co-operation and support of the committees, and submitted a resolution'. for consideration at the election meetings. A report of tho proceedings'relating to this resolution appears in another column. Following are the reports from the various schools, so far as .they have come-to hand: — TERRACE SCHOOL. A SATISFACTORY YEAR. About a dozen householders attended the .'annual meeting at the Terrace School.. Mr. T. Ward presided. An annual report and statement of accounts was read and adopted. The following committee was elected .—The •Revs. W. J.Comrie and H'. Van Staveren; and Messrs. J. J. Mallard, A. P. J. A. Thompson, A. Johnston, T. Ward, H. W. Lloyd, and J. •N. .Geddes.v. The Rev. J. Comrie was re-elected' chairman. " A' vote of thanks was passed to the headmaster and staff •for the manner in which they had carried out their, duties during the' past (year. Tho annual report and balariceIsheet, which were adopted, showed that the roll number at the end of March (657) was practically the same as. at the same date last year. Tho attendance during 1910 was only moderate. 'During tho second and third quarters there were a good many cases of whoop-ing-cough amongst the younger children, and many cases of influenza throughout tho school. Since tho holidays tho health of the pupils has been ■| very,satisfactory on the whole, and the .-attendance had been ■ good. -Within (the last two weeks several cases of measles had been reported. During /the year the playground was asphalted, j thjis enabling a tennis court to be ilaid out. various repairs would he necessary during tho coming year; the most urgent being tho providing of new 'blinds on the west sido of the'school, i For ni3,ny years the committee had '■striven to have the section behind the Wellington Club included in the school grounds.- At times it looked as if the Jland would be built on, and be for. ever •lost as a playground for'the younger children Recently,' however, arrangeJments were made whereby the Educaj tion Board took over the lease from the ■.trustees of the Greenfield Estate, a very satisfactory ending' tea matter which had caused anxiety to successive committees in the past. Tho cominitSee closed the year with a balance in land of £30 16s. 4d. MOUNT COOK SCHOOLS. BOYS' ATTENDANCE GOING UP. There was a large attendance of householders of the Mount Cook School dis.trict;- the meeting being held in the Taranaki,Street.building. ■■ , , The report stated, inter alia, that the schools had' attained a greater degree of efficiency .since the last annual meeting. The attendance at the Boys' School had increased materially during the year. Tho grade which it had lost during the previous year had been regained, and this had necessitated the appointment of an additional teacher. - The last ' monthly report showed tho roll number to be 337, and the average attendance 322. Woodwork classes had been opened . in February, and were' now being attended by pupils from all parts of the city. The number on tho roll ■of the Girls'. School had fallen below 300, and, consequently, it had lost a grade. Cookling classes had been inaugurated during /the .latter part of the year, and were now being attended by pupils from various parts of the city. A section had been secured (at a nominal rental) iat the back of the school for the pur|pose- of■ a'tennis court. Tho attendance at the Infants' School w-as keeping up In a remarkable manner, although. 115 Wpils had been, .transferred to higher ' Schools in December last. Tho number on the roll at,the end of March, 1911, Was 384, with an average attendance of 333. During -tho Christmas vacation tho Schools had been renovated. The bal-ance-sheet showed tho receipts for the Vear as £227 2s. Id. After all claims had been met there still remained a credit balanco of 3s. 4d.

I The following committee were elected: '—Messrs. J. Danks (chairman), Murphy ((secretary), Burbidgo (treasurer), Simpson, Helliwellj Nolan, Lodge, Kuch,and .'Parsonage. SOUTH WELLINGTON SCHOOL. ■ GOOD AVERAGE ATTENDANCE. The annual meeting of householders «f the South Wellington school district (was attended l>v about 80 people. Mr. \P. C. Watts, chairman of the outgoing committee, presided. The annual' report of the committee stated that during the- six months of .'the committee's term of office^ —the orig-jnally-elected committee resigned after .'six months of office—several matters reilating to the maintenance and equip■ment of the school received attention. Thfl Russell Terrace approach to tho is'jhool grounds was completed at a cost of £42, £20' of this being a subsidy irom the \ Education Board. Mr. Manthel, of. the Star Picture Proprietary, very kindly gave a performance lor the benefit of the school, the' takings amounting to iIOUOs. The thanks of everyone connected with the. •school were due to Mr. Manthel for his act. This amount, with subscriptions ■received and subsidy from the. board, enabled the committee to pay all liabilities incurred by them, and some of the, outstanding accounts handed over to them when they took office. The committee had also kept faith by voting £5 t>f the money subscribed to the library, this amount was subsidised by the board to the extent of £2 10s., making u total of £7 10s. During the year the capitation grant from tho board was increased from £88 to £130. This extra amount would ho of great assistance to the committee in many ways for replenishing equipment. Several matters were- recommended to the new K>mmitteo for consideration—the imount of back capitation which should have been paid by tho board, amounting to £66; repairs 'to tho paintwork; and an account of £33, duo to the contractors who built the school. These were matters to bo discussed with the Education Board, and, when they wero settled, it would be more satisfactory for jverybody. The headmaster and teaching staff wero congratulated on the high standard which the school still holds for proficiency. The financial statement disclosed a credit balance of. BIS 10s. Sd. The number on the roll on March 31, stated the headmaster's report, was S3!:, and the average attendance 810,

oi 96.5 of the roll number. "Fino wtnther and the. absence of epidemics undoubtedly contributed to this excellent result, another factor probably lining the new regulation which forbids the absence of children of school ase

on any day the school is open," observed the headmaster (Mr. G. Flux). '"Tho infant school is too small when compared with the main school," he stated. "Representations to this effect were made'before building commenced, but without effect. I propose," ho added, "to the incoming committee that a second tennis court , bo laid down for tho girls, and an asphalt or concrete cricket pitch, with matting, for the boys." Tho report and balance-sheet were adopted, and the' following committee was elected:—

Messrs. R. J. Barnes, J. G. R. Clark, A. B. Duff, R. A. Ferguson, E. C. Hayton, S. Howan, W. T. J. Morton, P. C. Watt, and C. Startup. Messrs. P. C. Watt and R. A. Ferguson were, at a subsequent meeting of the new committee, elected chairman and secretary respectively. ' CLYDE QUAY. FINANCE NOT STRONG. The annual Teport of the Clyde Quay School Committee states that at the last meeting of householders a resolution ivas passed protesting against the reduction of the capitation allowance, and a deputation waited on the board with respect to tho matter. Last November a revised scale of allowances was issued by the board, by which the committee received an. increase on the allowance it had to begin tho year with, but that increase did not make the allowance equal io the

9d. per head allowance formerly graded. The money received as rent for thesci'ool grounds by two tennis clubs had dialled tho committee to supply sports m-.terials for the scholars during the year. The comniittoo had tried to deal with ihsriuos-

tion of Bible-reading in-,schools, Each school committee in the city "and suburbs had been written to and invited to all end a meeting to discuss the matter. Only three replies were received. The I'leeting was called for the date fixed, but the attendance was too small to permit cf any business being done. It was hoped tba't the 'school cadets would soon Have the use of a miniature rifle range. The committee congratulates, . Mr.. . Gruudy on 'being"-appointed tin acting-inspector "to'the board, while regretting the loss of his services.- i ' /•' ; '■■■

■ The''headmasters' report states (hat (he number of names on the roll was 706, and the average attendance for the year was 635. The work of Mr. Dineon, tiuant inspector, is "commended, as js elso th» work of the school staff. 11l tho ccmpetition for National and Board fcchdar_ships,. Dora Johnstone was successful. She also obtained a good position en the list for the Dominion. In the tennis ■championship matches, the school won tho boys' singles and girls' doubles, and cmo very close to winning tho schools' championship. The Duthio Cup for swimming was again won by the school. The -receipts' for the sports fund amounted to .£24 12s. 7d., and a, credit balance of J24 16s. 3d, is carried forward to next year.

At the meeting of householders last ? night, the treasurer (Mr. James '! Mitchell) said it was more fancied than J real, as £5 was duo to the- caretaker s at tho end of the m,onth, and there were other calls to meet. He wished *' to say that if it had not been for tho increase of grant made by the board * there would have been a, considerable debit balance this year. The board peo- • pie imagined that ihey' had plenty of money, but that was not so; The posi- •* tion might have been worsei for he had r heard of a Taranaki school committee who had had to find money out of their own pockets to keep the school going. The chairman , (Mr. D. Robertson) mentioned tbat since tho report bad been £ prepared they had heard that the minia- c ture rifle range had arrived. J After a skirmish over the Bible-in- I schools question, and a reference to the z .."Nelson system" of .religious instruction, the reports were adopted, on the t motion of the chairman, who remarked s that it was the completion of his twenty- \ second year as a conrmittecman. | The following committee was elected: ( : D. Robertson. J. W. Fosette, ; •T. Forsyth, W. B. Strong, ,W. M'Donald, ] J. ;R. Burley, James" Mitchell, J. G. T Duthie, and W. J. Gaudin. .. j NEWTOWN DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL. SATISFACTORY CONDITIONS. About, one hundred and fifty house- . holders attended the annual meeting at . Newtowji District High School. Air. J. Martin, chairman of tho outgoing committee, presided. The animal report and .balance-sheet were read and ' adopted. Generally speaking, matters were in a satisfactory condition. "Happy is tho country that has no history, and so, by the same token, was the school - that had nothing to report," comment- " ed the headmaster (Mr. H. A. Parkin- ' son), in his statement, of the progress ' and condition of the. school.' The general health of tho pupils had been much . better than in previous years, tho weather had been good,. so that tho two chief hindrances to school work ' liad been at their minimum of effec- i tiveness. The reports of the inspectors had been of a kind, but pointed references had been made to the out-of-date type of desks ill use, and a suggestion offered that those of more modern design be substituted. The secondary department had fallen in numbers, but not in efficiency, and "certainly not in results." The staff of this department —Miss Rowley. M.A.', and Miss AVilson, M.A.—were .'highly complimented in the report. A new departure was the engagement of a qualified instructor in physical exercises for the girls of the secondary department, and good results had been already obtained. A similar innovation was being tried in the primary department, with beneficial results. The grounds were in good order, the playground being now one of the best in the city. Regret was expressed at the demise, during the year, of a member of the committee—Mr. ■ Pearman— and also at the departure from the district of Mr. Harding. Referencb was made to the committee's request to the Education Board for a fire escape equip-, ment. The board had deferred action with regard to this matter. Tho now miniature rifle range in the' playground was much appreciated by the cadets. . The financial statement disclosed a credit balance of £26 9s. 9d. Tho following wore elected as the School Committee for the, ensuing year: —Mesdames Boxall, and.., AVriglit, and Messrs; J. Castle (chairman), W. Gilbert, A. R. Hornblow, S. Martin, S. P. Phillip, R. Brown, and AV , .' Craighead. Mr. R. A. Chinchen was .reappomted secretary. and treasurer. '^ ; . TE ARO SCHOOt. ' Forty householders, of whom onehalf Were women, attended the annual meeting at the To Aro School. Mr. W. Miller presided. The annual report and balance-sheet were adopted. Tho following coromittco was elected for-the ensuing year:—Messrs. W. J. ijankshcar, AV. J. Thompson, T. Churchward, G. Crane-Brown, — O'Kane, — Power, G. Remington, and C. Hill. Mr. T. Churchward was reelected chairman, and Mr. G. Crane was appointed an secretary. Messrs. O'Kane, Power, and Remington'arc new members. Tho others were re-elected. BROOKLYN. About 60 householders were present at the annual meeting of the Brooklyn householders last evening, Mr. H. j. "Willis occupying the chair. A presentation of a case of pipes was made to Mr. A. H. Vile for his services in connection with tho school picnic. It was decided to recommend to tho incoming committee that a deputation interview tho City Council with a view to obtaining baths for the school. Tho motion was moved by Mr. Almas. ' Tho following committee was elected:—Mr. C. Baker (chairman),-Mr. IT. M'Koowcn (secretary), Messrs. J. .A. Shortt, A. Smith, C. B. Almas. W. K. Drury; T. Mulcahy; D. Hendrickson, ■e I and F. W. Btmvood-

KARORI SCHOOL. Tho annual mooting for tho election of a committee at Kurori School was attended by sonic thiity householders. Mr. F. J. Lissingtou presided. The report and balance-sheet were adopted, on the motion'of Jlr. C. Cathie- Tho 11-ev. J. K. Clark moved, and it was carried by acclamation: —"That this nicotinic desires to place on record its great appreciation of the work done by tho, headmaster (Mr. Burnett) and his staff, in the conduct of the school during the past year." Tho following committee was elected:—Kev. J. It. Clark (chairman), Messrs. E. Sunley (secretary), J. A. Frost, T). Burn, W. H. Niiiimo, G. J. Eagle, E.'.'J. Standen, A. Halliday. and Jas. Smith. A vote of thanks was passed lothe chairman, and the retiring committee. ROSENEATH. FAIRLY LARGE ATTENDANCE. • The annual meeting of the householders of Roscncath for the purpose of receiving the School Committee's annual report . was held in the Roseneath School last evening. There, was a fairly large attendance of householders, and Mr. J. Smith occupied tho chair.. The following is a precis of the report:—During the past year Miss Kay resigned her position on tho staff, and Messrs. Stainton and Davie were appointed probationers to the school. Tne committee regret to report the resignation of Messrs. Grey, Sinclair, and Farrelley from the committee. Mr. Brook-Taylor was appointed in Mr. Grey's place, but it was decided _ to leave the other positions vacant. Soon after tho new committee took office the matter of recognising the valuable services of Mr. Watt, on behalf of the school, was considered, and at a social held in : the school they presented Mr. AYatt with a silver tea service and a sot of pipes. During the year, in conjunction with the Thistle Social Club, a number- of social and euchre parties were held, but these were not very successful. The school concert and garden fete were very successful, duo largely to the efforts of tho teaching staff. A successful "at home" was held by the teachers for the purposo of raising funds for sporting material for tho school. The matter of finishing off the school ground was under consideration for some time, and it was eventually decided to finish the work at . a cost of £30. Twenty pounds of this amount had been paid, and during a recent storm the work had been destroyed. The committee appealed to tho Education Board for assistance, and the board decided to fix matters up. The school's annual picnic was held at Day's Bay, and was a success. Mr. Stainton had been appointed physical instructor for tho school. Masters D. Adams and J. Roberts gained scholarships. Tho following committee was elected for the ensiling year:—Chairman, Mr. J. Smith: secretary, Mr. A. E. Khull; Mrs. A. Low, Messrs. H. M. Morrison. W. Brook-Taylor, W. J Helyer, and W. H. M. Stevens. The attendance for the year ended April, 1911, was —Average 141, average roll number 161, a percentage of 88. PETONE WEST. The committee, for the Petone West School is:—Messrs. .J. Cotton, J. G: A. Castle, Rev. A. J. Scamer, H. R. Johnson, T. Maynard, W. H. Shardlow, E. Morris, A. J. C. Parker, A. Liebeizeit. Mr. Bedingfield (headmaster) thanked the retiring committee for the great assistance given him during the year. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded them. At a subsequent meeting Mr. Castle was again appointed chairman. A resolution.submitted by the.Teachers' Institute Was adopted. , ;--.-The-resolution was in favour of a Dominion scheme of promotion for teachers. ISLAND BAY. THE FREE BOOK SYSTEM. There were only about a dozen-house-holders at the Island Bay School election. Mr. H. Ivory, chairman of the outgoing committee, presided. Tho annual report and balance-sheet were adopted—tho finances wero £20 odd in debit. Six nominations only wero received for tho new, committee, and these were declared elected, as follow: —Messrs. W. Rose (chairman), W. H. Pott (secretary), J. Mills, J. Osborne, J. Condor, and Mrs. T. A. Millar. The other three members required to complete the committee will be elected later. The chairman made somo reference to the free book system, which ho characterised as unsatisfactory. Ho suggested that the Government would do better to make a special grant to tho committee for school material of the nature of exercise-books, paper, pencils, etc., instead of spending the money on books which tho children could not tako home.. Tho present system was no saving to tho parents, as extra books had to bo purchased in order that the children might have a book for home study. KAIWARRA. , THE LIGHTING.QUESTION. Tho largest meeting of the householders of Kaiwarra yet held assembled in tho schoolroom last evening. Twentyone nominations, including two ladies, for-the school committee were received. The election of officers resulted as follows:—Messrs. R. E. Flaws (chairman),Mr. W. H. Bowden (secretary, re-elect-ed), A. Wixon (treasurer, re-elected), W. J. Bowden (re-elected), J. W. Carrick (re-elected), L. Dixon, and W. Harris. .It was decided to write to tho Gas Company and City Council regarding terms for the installation of light for tho school. JOHNSONVILLE. The following committee was elected at Johnsonville:—Mr. G. T. Hall, chairman; Mr. F. T. Moore, secretary; Revs. Petrie and Peryman, Messrs. A. Mills, W. 0. Cook, J. J.- Easson, G. E. M'anson, and F. T. O'Neill. IN THE WAIRARAPA. (By Telegraph.—Special Correspondent.! • Mastertorr, April 24. School committee elections resulted as follow: — Masterton. —Messrs. R. Brown (chairman), A. \V. Chapman, A. Hendry, W. C. Perry, E. H. Waddington, T. J. Thompson, J. L. Hughes, E. Pragnell, and G. Hyde. Lansdowno. —Messrs. E. Halo (chairman), J. E. Perry, E. Welch, D. A. Pickering, A. J. Cooper, A.. Jackson, and F. P. Welch.

Mauricevillc East. —Messrs. G. Braggins (chairman), AV. Palmer, J. Goodgame, H. Hopley, C. Jensen, AV. Martin, and C. Brooks, (secretary). Opaki.—Messrs. Pierce Cotter (chairman), A. J. Stone-WiKg, It. Perry, J. Uourke, W. H'eiisoii, AV. Mowbray, and 'J'. Cooper. Mild Miki. — Messrs. E. AV. Payton (chairman), AV. Tankcrsley, A. Reader, A. Searle, J. Nicholson, E. Johnson, and H. Dakin. Taueru. —Messrs. CI. R. Garatt (chairman), AV. M. Chunn (secretary), AV. B. Ingram, J. P. Leader, J. V. M'llac, M. M'Kenzie, and 11. Barton. Pahiatiia.—Mr. .T. I). "Wilson (chairman), Ttev. Spoor, Messrs. J. J. Boagoy, 0. Johnson. J. A. Walsh, G. A. Boncens. P. T. Kewatt, J. F. Fos. and C. E. Clifton,

MITCHELLTOWN SCHOOL. INADEQUATE SHELTER-SHEDS. t The annual report of Mitchelltown School Committee, presented to the meeting of householders last evening, stated that the year had been a very satisfactory one, both as regards tho increase of school attendance'and the special works carried out by the committee, the works undertaken being greatly in excess of that of the previous year. The balance-sheet showed that a large sum, £63 18s. 6d., had been spent on improving the playground: "In connection with tho committee's finances it| is interesting to note," states tho report, "that during the establishment of the school the sum of £424 11s. 6d. bad been received by committees as the ordinary capitation grant from tho Education Board, and £43 10s. special grants, whereas the voluntary donations received from the householder's, etc., reached the sum of £703 11s. 7d. The eommitteo will therefore bo unable to make ends meet on tho subsidy received from the board. The programme of works submitted to the board was estimated to cost £100 when complete. The hoard, after inspection and consideration, finally forwarded their cheque for ten guineas towards the work." The committee's programme will be recommended to the incoming committee to further carry out completion of fencing, asphalting, etc. Tho principal works carried out during the year, inoluded tho gutter levelling, asphalting, and fencing of playground which the committee are sure will greatly increase the comfort of the children during the winter weather. The Education Board is to be .asked to at once make further provision for increased shelter-sheds the present ones being "grossly inadequate" for the greatly increased attendance. Regret was expressed at the inactivity of the School Committees' Association. "This association, • more enthusiastically managed, would be a great deal of assistance to committees in their duties," stated the report. The headmaster and staff were highly complimented upon the' general progress and condition of the school. PETONE HIGH SCHOOL. Tho following were elected to the committee of tho Petone District High School for the ensuing year:—Messrs. D. M'Kenzie (chairman), W. Burd (secretary), W. Cox, J. Abrahall, AV. Hill, W. Hewson, Rev. A. Thomson, R. Church, and A. Medhurst; Prior to tho election, tho following motion was carried:—"That this meeting endorses the action of the eommitteo regarding its attitude in roferenco to the agricultural classes for the Petone District High School." LOWER HUTT. At Lower Hutt the following School Committee was elected last evening :— Messrs. H. Baldwin (chairman), T. L. Barker (secretary), H. Harman, E. Stoupe, A. Webley, C. M. Palmef, G. ■A. M'llvride, J. 0. Anson, and E. Hobman. TAITA. . The following committee was elected for Taita School:—Messrs. W. Welch (chairman), Cleland (secretary), Cottle, Kilminster, Mabey, August, and Evans. EPUNI. At Epuni tho following eommitteo was returned:—Messrs. England (chairman), Howard, Stewartj Pilclier, Ward, Burn (secretary), and Swain. IN OTHER CENTRES. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Auckland, April 24. ' The annual meetings of householders in the cityand suburbs passed off quietly to-night. 'The question of religious instruction was raised at the. City School meeting, but a motion affirming the desirableness of granting facilities to clergymen to give Scriptural instruction in tho schools, outside of school hours, lapsed for want of a seconder. New Plymouth, April 24. Healthy interest was evinced in tho householders' meetings in and around Mew Plymouth, and thero was tho usual complaint about shortage of funds with which to carry out tho work of committees. A resolution from the Teachers' Institute, favouring a Dominion scheme of promotion of teachers, was endorsed in some cases, but, in others, it was considered that the resolution was accompanied by insufficient information on the subject. .

Wanganul, April 24. The meeting of householders decided in favour of legislation relative to compulsory attendance aL continuation schools.

Timaru, April 24,

At tho Timaru Main School there was a record meeting. A long discussion took pjaco on Bible.lessons. A motion approving of tho action of the lato eommitteo in making an agreement for such lessons was carried, and an amendment that legal advice be taken as to whether the proposal was not an evasion of the Act was rejected, only a dozen voting for it. This meeting also carried the Institute's resolution regarding promotion of teachers. Tho Timaru South and Waimatatai householders adopted the Educational Institute's resolution in favour of a Dominion schemo of promotion for teachers. . ■ . .

Tho Timaru South meeting discussed tho proposed introduction of the Nelson system of Biblo lessons. A motion of protest against tho proposed system was moved, but only ten out of about 80 voted for the protest, and tho old committee was re-elected. Waimate, April 24. Great interest was taken in tho school eommitteo election to-night. Though it was a wet night the schoolroom was packed. Most of the old committee were re-elected, but tho retiring chairman declined to stand again. At a meeting of the committee held after the householders' meeting, Mr. E. Hassell was elected chairman. Dunedln, 'April 24. At several meetings of householders to-night, motions in favour of a Dominion schemo of promotion for teachers wero carried. Somo meetings adopted a motion condemning the present system of issuing free school books.