CLYDE SCHOOL.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1261, 30 April 1886, Page 3

CLYDE SCHOOL.

The statutory annual meeting of householders for the election of a School Com-. mUt»e for the ensuing year, was held in the Schoolhoiise on Tuesday evening last, the 27th inst. In the. absence of Mr 1., D. Maogeorge (Chairman of the retiring Committee), Mt Jas. Hickson was voted to the chair.

■ The Chairman having read extracts from JK the Education Act 1877, and Amendment VAct. 1885 ; also circulars from the Department of Education, laving down the copras to he pursued at the meeting called for the report of the retiring Committee, which was as follows : To the Householders o> the Clyde School District. Consequent on the amended Act of last session, the education financial year was extended to the 31st of March, the term of office of vour Committee therefore has been

extended over a space of 15 months instead of 12 months as formerly. That term now expired, they hand over to yon reposed in them, with the followv import,;— School Return tor the Year ending 31st December, 1885.

The customary annual examination jurt before the mid-summer vacation took place, and a number of very excellent prizes to the value of shout LlO, was distributed amongst the scholars, the money having been subscribed by the residents of the district. Mr Maogeorge (the Chairman of Committee! and the Rev. Mr Clinton <the Clerk to the Committee) conducted the examination, and both gentlemen reported very favorably on the attainments of the •scholars. During the year the school was also examined hy one of the 'Education Board’s Inspectors ; his report also was favorable to the scholars, and flattering to both master and mistress (Mr and Mrs Pleven?). Whilst on the subject of examinations we here report that Mr Stevens during the year prepared three of the boys for the Junior Scholarship Examination, and we arc nleased to sav that one of them Master Toss, was successful, the other tvfcyjaking into consideration their a e, ■svST well up, but Jas they have another chance theyVeally lost nothing ; of the two Tither they have eaine 1 which •we have ’to hope (will serve them in good stead when thcv go up again. , By the audited balance which is open to tbo riveting, it will he seen that your Committee commenced their duties with a cash balance in hand of Ll2 10s 9d ; that during the vear they received from the Education Board L4l. and ’from other sources L2O 5s 3d, making total receipts of 1j73 Ids. Of this amount they have expended T. 49 13s thus leaving a balance in hand of L 24 3s. This was the state of affairs on 31st December last. Since then they have received some L2l, and expended some 1,25, accordingly the balance we shall he enabled t 0 hand over to our successors is about L2O . During the year your Committee have been iu constant communication with the Education Board imploring tha> body to ■make a suitable addition to the schoolmaster’s residence, but in obtaining th a your Committee has failed, the of the Board being a decided negative, an' moreover intimating that it is the duty of tho Committee to attend to all necessary internal repairs to the residence. To the mind of your Committee the Clyde School district is not having pitted ont to it that proportion of the. Board’s funds it justly deserves, and suggests to their successors to keep on requating, and it neod he. .as a last resource, to approach .the Board by a petition from the district. Your Committee, in the spirit of justice cannot hut refer to Mr and Mrs Stevens (the master and mist ess), and for teem selves record their entire satisfaction with tbo management of the school by them. In conclusion your Committee desire to express their thanks to all those who during the past session so liberally supported them financially and otherwise, and trust their successors may he the like treated. The report having been revived, Mr T. H. Bell proposed—That a hearty vote of thanks be recorded in the minut-s of nmocedings to Mr and Mrs Stevens for their satisfactory and snocesgfui conducting of the school. Seconded by Mr Hueston An 1 carried, . Mr Hueston said a beartv vote of thanks was due the retiring Committee for the services rendered during their lengthened term of ofile“, and would propose same. Mr Faohe. said, before the proposition was put to the meeting he desired to say a few words on that part of the report referring to the action of the. Board in not alone refusing to put an addition to the Schools roaster’s residence, hnt on their intimating that all tho internal repairs devolved on the Committee. Ha said perhaps it was not inown to some present that the larger part of the residence had been erected over 20 years, such, however, was the case. Tho it ultimatum of the Board therefore cannot •hut present itself to themjbut as out of all reason, as to pot the place in anything like fair and decent Order would cost more than one ypar’s capitation allowance. It might ho said why not expend the balance in hand, tho answer to that was there were other pessary works they would have to attend one being the fencing in of the fruit and forest trees that were around tbo residence. This was a work that would have to he done whether there was a house or not. ns after all the. expense and trouble that, had been taken to grow the trees, it would never do to allow them to he dcgtroved, as they assuredly would be if a pood and snhatnntial fenc" was not .soon erected. Regarding the action of the Board toward tho Clyde district, to him it was perfectly in l end aide, because he felt quite satisfied that if a comparative Dr. apd Cr. account wan compiled, it would ho proved that the Clyde district tehnol had cost less to the Boa>d than any other in the country. Some years ago he had pone over the local expenditure on the school and grounds, and ha made it out that tho Board was positively

indebted to the district in over L3OQ. He explained that the district, built the first school that was erected, and they purchased the present school grounds and the master’s residence. In those days times were good, money plentiful, and the people generous. Things, however, were now different, and it appeared to him the Board was acting on the principle that if we once were able to do without aid so it must continue. He, however, as an old resident, thonght otherwise, and was of opinion that any reasonable request should be complied with, and he maintained that their request for. an addition to the ‘master’s residence was fair, just, and reasonable, and he hoped the householders would act opon the suggestion of the retiring Committee and assist the new Committee by petition if such a course was deemed necessary and advisable. Mr Hickson said the house Was in a truly wretched state as could be well imagined it would be after 20 years service, some of the rooms were only little boxes some Bft x 10ft, while the walla were only between 5 and 6ft high, moreover in was in wretched repair, in fact it was disgraceful. • : . a general discussion, ensued, eventuating in a recommendation to the incoming Committee to continue agitating, and if necessary, to prepare a memorial for signature by the householders in the district.

The vote of thanks to the retiring Committee was then carried.

The election of a new committee was proceeded with, and on a ballot being taken’ the following gentleman were declared elected Messrs Hickson. Macgeorge, Bell, Fache, Joss, Keele, and Wofford.

The customary vote to the chair concluded the meeting.

ALEX AN DRA SCHOOL.

The statutory meeting of householders in the Alexandra School District was held in the Schoothou-e, Alexandra, on Tuesday evening last, Mr J. E. Thompson, Mayor, occupying the chair. The report of retiring Committee was read and received, and the customary vote to the retiring Committee was passed ; also votes to the Master (Mr Aldred) and Miss Jimnton.

(We regret that copy of report was not furnished us for publication). The following gentlemen were elected the Committee for the current year,-—Messrs J E Thompson, W. Thayers, J Lothian, W. F. Forrest, R. Finlay,. W. Fraser, ; and J. Rivers. . : •

Boys. Girls, Total No. on roll Jan. 1885 52 55 107 No. admitted during 17 19' year 36 No. belonging to tba school during year 69 74 143 ■ No. left during year 20 13 39 No. on roll end of year 49 55 104 No. of limes school open No of attendances during year 18,270 19,757 445 38,027 A verage daily attendance .. 4105 44 39 85-44 Ketdrn for Quarter Ekdbd March 31st, 1886. No. on roll at beginning of quarter ... 49 65 104 No. admitted during quarter 5 7 12 No. belonging during quarter ... 54 62 115 No. left during quarter 7 10 17 No. on roll end of quarter 47 52 99 No. of times open ,. No.ot attendances... 3,606 4,075 90 7,681 Average daily attendance 40-06 43-27 85-34