SCHOOL ELECTIONS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 183, 23 April 1918, Page 7

SCHOOL ELECTIONS

LAST NIGHT'S MEETINGS'OF HOUSEHOLDERS QUESTIONS OF SCHOOL REFORM Tho statutory annual meetings of householders in the various school districts 'Were held last evening, when the retiring school committees presented their accounts and reports, and new committees'were elected. In some cases the meetings vero fairly well attended, and food for discussion was provided by a school reform circular which had been sent out by the New Zealand Educational/Institute, , bringing before the attention of householders a resolution which) 1 had been passed by tho institute showing the need for'reform in tho matter of adequate playing areas, reduction of large classes, better teaching conditions. The institute also urged its protest against any encroachment upon our national system of education by the holding'of. national scholarships at private secondary church schools. This latter question , touched controversial ground, and in some cases evoked heated discussion. 'The Labour interest appeared to be organised to secure representation on the committees. Following aro the reports'from the various districts:— THE TERRACE. About seventy people attended tho householders' .meeting at Tho Terrace School, tho biggest meeting at this school for many years. Mr. J. A.' Thomson presided.

A circular from the New Zealand Educational institute was before the meeting, and it was discussed briefly, but with, some' keenness. Several speakers joined with the institute in tho complaint against the inadequate accommodation in schools, and the totally inadequate playing areas attached to sonio of them, Tho terrace School being mentioned as one of tho bad examples in this regard. Speakers also agreed that something must soon bo dono to make good the continuous shortage of teachers, and the underrstaffing of 6omo of tho biggest schools in tho cities. In tho end the. following resolution was agreed to:—

"That this meeting of householders of The Terrace School district urges the Government to reform without do'.ay those evils ■ in our education system to -which attention has boen called by tho Educational Institute, t.he principal of which are inadequate payment of teachers, too large classes of children, out-of-date insanitary buildings, unsuitable surroundings/ and lack of adotiuato playgrounds This meeting desires to lay stress upon the fact thfit the weifaro of the children is vital and of immediate importance, and that tho reforms required should not be postponed until' the end of tho war, but should be effected at once."

Tho election of the committee resulted in the return" of the following householders E. M. Dyson, lbs. M. Pickup, Mrs. S. E. 0. Snow, tho Rev. H. van Staveren, Messrs, M. Connelly, P. C. Evans, A. Johnston, J. A. Thomson, and G. Ward. Mr. J. A. Thomson was subsequently elected chairman.

A vote of'thanks was accorded to tho headmaster (Mr: G. Macmorran) and his staff, and a special vote of thanks was given also to Miss Williams, the latter vote accompanied with a wish that Miss Williams may soon be restored to robust health again.

The retiring committee was also accorded a vote of thanks.

MOUNT COOK SCHOOLS. There was a very small attendance of householders at the annual meeting of Mount Cook householders held last evening. Mr. W. E. Fuller presided, The committee's report stated that the attendance of scholars during the year was satisfactory. The total number on the roll was 1063, with an average attendance of 961, being a percentage of 90.44. The general average for 1916 was 92.62 per cent. Tho report referred to tho excellent work of the children for patriotic' purposes. The health of-the children had been good and the intellectual progress had been good. The chairman moved the adoption of tho report and referred in appreciative terms to the . work of tho school.

Mr. C. Bary, the headmaster, referred to the need for improved schools and better conditions for teachers.

Mr. J. R. Purdy moved: "That this meeting of householders strongly urges the Government not only to resist all attompts to encroach upon the national system of education, but also without delay to mako provision for improvements and extensions' necessary to enable the nation to. successfully cope with afterwar conditions."

This was seconded by Mr. M'Coll. Several householders raised points of order. The chairman, howover, admitted the motion'. ' '

Mr. Bourke, of Aro Street, moved as an amendment that all the words from "not only" to "but also" be omitted. He said that the Educational Institute had no right to bring forward 6uch a resolution. The resolution would hurt the denominational schools and many other schools, such, for instance, as Scots College, the foundation-stone of which was laid a fow days ago. Ho said ho was a Roman Catholic, and was not ashamed of his religion, and lie had. a right to express his views on the resolution. The State school syatom was free, secular, and compulsory, but it did not satisfy everybody, hence the existence of tho denominational schools. If tho resolution wore passed it would appear that the whole of tho people wero in favour of secular education, which was a long way from beii,(; correct. Tho amendment on boing put was lost, a substantial majority voting against it. Tho resolution was then put anil carried. Tho election of the new School Committee resulted as follows:—Messrs. C. H. Barratt, A. C. Blair, J. R. Burly, AV. E. Fuller, R. S. M'Nair, J. G. Macphorson, G. P. Purdy, R. Simpson, and J. T. Leaman, A vote of thanks to tho teaching staff, brought the meeting lo a close. TU ARO SCHOOL. ' Tho meeting of householders at the To Aro School was well attended, the room being packed, probably in anticipation of the Educational Institute motion coming up for discussion. Mr. AV. Allan presided. Tho report'(already published) was rend ami adopted. Tho Educational Institute motion was then read, and tliero was every prospect of a very healed discussion, but the chairman declined to allow it.to bo put before tho meeting, and this relieved the situation. The election of the committee resulted us fullows:— Messrs. 11. A. W. M'Kenzie, A. W. W. Curtis, ,U. E. Long, J. P. llyland, W. Hint C. li. V. Dixon, J. J. i'lyger, and .Mrs. Evans CLYDE QUAY. , Mr. T, Forsytlf occupied tho chair at tho annual meeting of householders held in tho Clyde Quay School last evening. The report of tho committee and tho headmaster's report (already published) were read and adopted. As the nominations did not exceed tlic number required there was no election. The names wore Messrs. 'I'. Forsyth (chairman), •lames Mitcholl, AV. B. Strong, R. Scott, 'K. P. Hatch, AV. J. Harland, L. R. Partridgo, J. AV. Fossetto, und R. L. Button.

On tlio motion of Jlr. W. It. L. Foster, seconded by Mr. R. L. Button, the following resolution was passed:— That this meeting of householders of Hie Clyde Quay (Wellington) School district heartily supports the campaign entered into by tho New Zealand Educational Institute for improvements in our national system of education, and trusts that tho most urgent reforms—namely, reduced sizo of classes and improved schools and surroundings—will at onco receive the sympathetic consideration of the New Zealand Cabinet and Parliament. SOUTH WELLINGTON. Mr. W. C. Read occupied tho chair at tlie mooting of Soulli Wellington householders. There was amoderato attendance. Tho report of the committee referred :•> works that, had Wen undertaken dur- : i in! year. The planting of trees

liail boon a success, and tho appearance of Hio grounds was' gradually improving. A bazaar hold during tk< year had realised a sum of J.'GG, and the Government subsidy had brought the total rocoipts from lihis source to ,£l3l 7s. This money was added to tho Grounds Fund. Tho total amount available l'or tho improvement of the ground was now <£155.

Tho balance-sheet showed that tho receipt; nad been ,£2Sli 16s. S-.l„ and tho expenditure .£2Ol 35., leaving a credit balance at tho close of tho year of J!S2 13s. Sd.

The report and balance-sheet wero adopted.

A letter was read by tho Now Zealand Educational Institute inviting tho support of the householders' meeting in urging tihc Government to make provision for- tho improvement of tho educational system of the Dominion. '

. Mr. AV. Morton moved: "That this meeting of householders strongly urges the Government not only to strongly resist nil attempts to encroach upon the national system of education, but also without delay to make provision for improvements. and extensions necessary to enable tho nation to copo successfully with after-war conditions. Tho motion was carried. Tho following committee was elected:— Messrs. E. .T. Cooper, W. Harris, T. A. Mollison, W. Morton, F. Twort, E. G. i. Startup, E. \V. P. Church, and It. Anderson. Mr. Startup was re-elected chairman and Mr. Twort hon. secretary and treasurer. NEWTOWN. Tho attendance at the meeting of householders in tho Newtown School was large, the big schoolroom ■ being completely filled. Mr. J. Castle occupied tho chair. The report, as already published in The Dominion, was read and adopted.

A letter.was read from the Educational Institute iftking tho support of the householders' meetings in urging the Government to improve the educational system. Mr. W. Wiles moved: "That this meeting protests against any encroachment i\ upon our national-system of education by : the holding .of national scholarships at j private secondary church schools, and | urges the necessity for making • better ! provision for the improvement and exj tension of educational system of tho ' Dominion."

A sugjj&iion was made that this motion ought to bo divided, since it dealt with two d;3erevrt subjects, and some general discussion ensued.

: .The Rov. J. Crewes, who said that a i religious question should not be raised :in such a way, moved ah amendment i urging the Government to make nse ot ! the schools for tho extension of eduea- | tiaa by means cf. continuation classes : and iectures. I The amendment was rojected and tho I motion was declarod carried. on the ' voices. I Tho election of tho committee resulted i in the return if the "ticket" put forward. by supporters of the motion, as follows :~ Mrs. Wright and Messrs. 11. Baillie, J. 11. Gilchrist, J. W. Salmon, W. Wiles, C. E. Luxford, A. K. Horublow, E. Eyres, and C. Webster; . ... Some heat was shown in tho discussion of the denominational question. The proceeding's closed with cheers for tho incoming committee. KARORI. The meeting at Karori was very well attended. The following committeo was elected:—Messrs. J. Burns, E. B. Ash, J. R. Whithair, W. H. NimmO, W. Skegg, C. Moore, W. Craig, F. E. Brown, W. S. Brooks. Mr. was appointod chairman, and Mi 1 . Burns (secretary). _ A motioli was carried drawing .the attention of the Education Buard to the want of accommodation in tho infant division. A resolution was also carried Songratulating tho School Committees' Association and tho Education Institute on the excellent work done during the year in tho interests of the State 6chool children. NORTHLAND. Tho following comprise the new committeo of Northland School Chairman, Mr. A. J. Paterson; secretary, Mr. G. M. Winchcombe; members, Messrs. T. L. Boyes, T. Barkntt, L. E. Lambert, W. Piatt, and T. E. Wilkinson. Only the required number of nominations was received. Tho following resolutions wero unanimously carried:—(l) "That this meeting strongly disapproves of Government grants in the shape of scholarship allowances being paid to denominational schools.'" (2) '"That free school books should bo supplied to primary schools." (3) "That this meeting urges upon the National Government tho necessity of making provision without delay for tho improvement and extension in the educational system of tho Dominion, particularly compulsory continuation classes and technical education." It was reported that the school had a credit balan.ee of JE2I 55.. Id. ' KHANDALLAH. Some forty householders received tho report of the outgoing committee and tho headmaster at Khandallah. Resolutions regarding school accommodation and other matters were passed, with votes of thanks to tho committeemen and tho teaching staff. Tho following new com. mittee was elected: Messrs. M. Compton Smith (chairman), T. M. Ga.ult (secretary), T. Chamberlain, D. i l '. Mason, S. W. Bradshaw, W. A. E. Butt, and A. Gregory. MARANUI. ' Considerable interest was taken in tho election at Maranui.' The annual report acknowledged the reasonableness with which the Education gßoard had met the requirements of .the school. The balance-sheet showed a credit of iEI7B 19s. lid. ■ • The following committeo was elected: — Messrs. F. J. Evans (chairman), A. Whitehead, A. Sando," S. Gambrill, L. G. Chisholm (secretary), J. Leuchars, N. E. Aitken, W. B. Roberts, A. W. Croskery. A resolution was carried as follows:— "That this meeting of householders regrets that through tho inadequacy of the remuneration offored desirable candidates for tho teaching profession find it moTB remunerative to enter other callings, and tho meeting strongly urges that a larger sum be made available immediately to present the present deplorable and unsatisfactory state of affairs being perpetuated; that better provision be made lor medical and dental inspection of scholars; that the modernising of school buildings and enlarging of playgrounds, and the cleaning and disinfecting of buildings should receive tho earnest attention of the authorities. That improved Technical School buildings are urgently needed; that the classes in many schools are far too large to be efficiently taught." NGAIO. ■ The following committee was elected at Ngaio;—Mr. Brenton Rule (chairman),' Mrs. Darrall (secretary), Mrs. Chatwin, Messrs. Barnes, Gappor, and Watts. ISLAND BAY., ' A fairly well attended meeting at Island Bay elected the following committeo:—Messrs. C. Boocock, E. J. Colley, .T, A. ■ Condor, S. C. Heal, W. Kerr, L. F. Keys, A. M. Mollison, H. F. Clarke, J. 0. Shorland. Mr. J. 0. Shorland was elected chairman, and Mr. H. F, Clarko secretary. BROOKLYN.

A. record mooting was field in tho j Musonic Jlall for the election of tlio • Brooklyn School' Committee. There was about twenty nominations. Tlio result was:—Chairman, Mr. ]). R. Kennedy; secretary, Mr. A. J. White; treasurer, Mr. E. B. L. Hill; members, Rev. G. W. Kent, Messrs. Angus Turner, W. E. Webb, T. Murphy, G. N. Evans, and E. V. Holeroft. ROSISNEATII. At' 1 the Roseneat.il School about 130 householders wero present, and groat enthusiasm was shown over tlio discussion of tho circular resolutions of the Educational Institute. Tho elected committee consist of the following:—Chairman, Mr. H. Morrison; secretary and treasurer, Mr. Van Borssum; members, Sirs. Low and Messrs. Gandhi, Bear, Lines, Tolan, Travers, and Hulloclt. Messrs. Morrison and Van Borssum wero each re-elected for tho fifth consecutive year as chairman and secrotary respectively. KILBIRNIE. Vory great interest was taken in tho election at Kilbirnie. There were eighteen candidates, and tlio number of householders present was About 160, • as