EDUCATIONAL MEETINGS.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2465, 10 January 1871, Page 2

EDUCATIONAL MEETINGS.

The annual meeting of the ratepayers for the purpose of electing a School Committee for the City, was held in the Middle District School last evening, and was attended by over sixty persons, the Mayor presiding. The report of the Committee, which, on the motion of the llev. Mr Stuart, was adopted nan, con., after setting forth that so far as school matters were concerned, the past

year has been one of continued prosperity, both as regards: the number of scholars in attendance and increased amount of fees and (the Committee believed) in the character of the education imparted, went on to say : “There has been an increase of about 130 scholars in attendance during the last quarter. and an increase in the amount of fees of LI 12 13s lid. The number in attendance in December last at the three schools was 1287, and for the corresponding period of last year 1154. The total fees received in ISG9, were LI3CB 10s 3d ; the total fees received'iu 1870, were LI4SI 4s 2d. The establishment now comprises a staff of 23 teachers, and upwards of 1200 scholars. The year’s receipts have been L 1825 Os sd, and the disbursements LIBOB 11s Bd, leaving a balance to credit of (.16 8a 9d. The balance at the Bank this day is L 32 2s 3d, but a sum of Lls 13s Gd is due to one of the teachers who is now out of town. In consequence of the great number of scholars in attendance at the Middle School, the Head Master has, during the past year, {devoted his time to a personal daily superintendence of the whole school, instead of attending to a particular class. This plan has been attended with such beneficial results, that it is proposed to adopt the system at each of the other schools for the future. Notwithstanding the fact that additions hare been made to each of the schools within the last eighteen months, increased accommodation is still urgently needed. Your Committee have brough this matter very forcibly under the notice of the Government, and have recommended that a fourth school should be established without delay. As one of the results of the educational system of training pupil teachers, the Committee have great pleasure in referring to the success of the several teachers who have been trained in their schools, and are now engaged as schoolmistresses at Port Chalmers, North Erst Valley, Moruiugton, and Caversham. ” There were fourteen candidates proposed as members of the Committee for the ensuing year. The following gentleman were elected.Messrs E. B. Cargill, C. H. Street, Hardv, Bathgate, Jago, .Robin, Dick, Eish, ana Livingston.

The annual meeting 'or the election of a Scliool Committee at Mornington was held at the school-house last evening. There was a good attendance of the electors present, and Mr J. E. Attwood was unanimously voted to the chair. The statements made in regard to the scholastic affairs of the district gave general satisfaction; and it is pleasing to add that a much greater amount of interest for the moral and intellectual welfare of the rising generation is being made manifest here than has been hitherto shown. The result of the election for members of the Committee for the ensuing year showed the following list of nine in number from twelve proposed candidates Messrs W. H. Reynolds, Thos. Bamford, E. De Carle, -I. E. Attwood, J. M'Neil, W. Barr, W. M‘Nee, G. Wright, and J. Beveridge. A unanimous vote of thanks accorded to the retiring Com* mittee, and also to the chairman for his services, closed the proceedings. The newlyelected Committee afterwards proceeded to business by re-electing Mr J. E. Attwood for the third time as chairman for the ensuing year, and Mr Thos. Bamford hon. secretary and treasurer; made appointment for the school to open on the 16th inst., and the Committee to meet again on the evening of the same day.