ELECTION OF SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

Evening Star, Issue 3709, 12 January 1875, Page 2

ELECTION OF SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

DUNEDIN, The meeting of Dunedin householders was held at the Athenaeum last night, about seventy persons being present, and Mr C. H. Street presiding. The report of the retiring Committee commenced by congratulating the citizens on the increased accommodation for educational purposes possessed by the city, reference being ipa le to the Albany street and normal schools. The attendance at the three old-established schools hast varied much during the year ; the quarter ending 30th June showed 1,695, while the quarter ending 30th December showed only 1,336. The principal falling off in attendance was at the Middle and North Schools, caused by the prevalence of measles. The amount paid to the principal teachers, including the Government allowance, has been as follows Middle School—Mr Halliwell, L 370 11s Gd ; Mr Ferguson, L 273 Is Gd ; Mr Lindsay, L 202 Is Old ; Miss Hay, Ll6B ; Miss Stevens, L 146 10s B.vd. North School—Mr Stewart, L 357 13s Bjd; Mr Murray, L 260 3s 8.VI; Mr White, L 149 19s 6Jd; Miss Hay, L 175 3s B.jd; Miss Johnstone, LSI Is; Mr Balsille, LGB Is Sd. South School—Mr Park, L 331 Is 2d; Mr Stables, L 248 Us 2d ; Miss Nicholls, L 153 lls 2d. Albany Street School—Mr Montgomery, L 139 4s BJd; Miss Johnston, LB6 13s 7£d In addition to the above the following amounts are paid by the Government;— Middle School, 2 assistant teachers, at L 75 perannum ; and 7 jjupil teachers. North School—6 pupil teachers. South School —2 assistant teachers, at L 75 per annum; and 3 pupil teachers, Albany street school—l assistant teacher, atLIOO perannum; and 1 pupil teacher. The salaries of the pupil teachers range from L2O to L6O per annum,' according to length of service. Referring to the Middle School, the < ’oimhittee recommended to their successors the question of building a new and commodious school at the lower part of the school ground. Ist. Because th-y consider the present brick building unsuitable, 2nd. That the children could obtain admittance without having to ascend a steep flight of steps flora the York Place cutting. The revenue for the year had been—balance from last 0 mmittee, L 974 7s; school fees, L 2.379 Is 2d; Government contribution repairs, &c., L 233 13s 2d-total, 1i0.587 Is 4d. The expenditure—salaries to teachers and secretary, L 1,889 7s lOd; new buildings, additions, &c., L 1,301 9s SJ; sundries, including school cleaning, firing, advertising, water rates, and contingencies, L25218s 7d; balance in Bank of New Zealand, L 146 5s Gd total, L 3,587 la 4d. Alluding to the recent exwmoariqna, the report went on to say Yqh’r Cojnmittee caused.tfcs npmbe'r ot prices

usually issued at these examinations to be con siderably curtailed, giving only one prize for girls and one for boys in each class, with certificates of merit to deserving pupils who have obtained seventy-five per cent, of marks. This system they believe to be preferable to the prize system, which had been overdone. They have also taaen steps to stop the objectionable system of presenung'testimonials to the teachers at each examination,” The report concluded with a testimony to the careful and efficient manner in which Mr James had discharged the duties of secretary. The Rev. Dr Stuart, in moving the adoption of the report, bore testimony to the good work for education the schools were doing. It had afforded many here extreme pleasure to find the business of the schools so quietly and effectively conducted ; and aft r many years' experience, he could say the Committee's management was even better than that of the Education Board. To the cause already mentioned and the devotion of the teachers he attributed the success of the schools. He hoped the Normal School would be pushed on. Mr Grant objected to members of the Education Board and Government being on the Committee.

The report was adopted. THE NEW COMMITTEE. Twenty gentlemen were nominated as members, and the election resulted in the appointment of the following Messrs Robin (57). R, Stout (57), E. B. Cargill (54), A. C. Strode (52), A. R. Livingston (48), George Bell (47), Wright f J ‘rj 03 t S* Fish, junr. (38). Mr D. R. Hay and Mr Fish having been accorded an equal number of votes, another ballot was taken, which resulted in the election of the latter.

THE NORMAL SCHOOL. In answer to a question by Dr Stuart,' Mr SronT said he believed the Normal School would be finished this year. Messrs R. Gillies and E. B. Cargill advo, cated that the new committee should un?e the Government to complete the Normal School without delay.

OTHER MATTERS. Dr Bakewell expressed a hope that the Committee would give attention to the question of better ventilating the schools; on Mr Stout’s ■notion a cordial vote of thanks was accorded to Mr Street for his services as chairman of the Committee for many years past; and towards the close f the proceedings Mr Grant handed m a protest against the election of two inembers of the Government and Eiucation Board “aa ineligible members of the Com mittee.’ l

OAVERSHAM,

At the Caversham District Meeting lasi night, Mr Rutherford occupied the chair. The retiring Committee’s report was read by Mr Milne and adopted, after which a ballot was taken, resulting in the election pf the following gentlemen as the Committee for the ensuing year; -Messrs Rutherford, Baxter, Anderson, Damg, Calder, Cameron, and Craig.

ROSLYN AND KAIKORAI.

The statutory annual meeting for the election of a school Committee for the Kaikorai Educationul District (which includes also Roslyn and Sunnystde) was held last evening in the School house, Linden. Mr A. H. Ross was unanimously voted to the chair. The attendance was small, not more than 20 persons being present. Mr David Miller, jun.. strongly animadverted on the fact, and reniaiked that the slight interest manifested by the residents in reference to the most important matter was disgraceful to the district. Tho apathy evinced by the inhabitants ought not to be excused on the ground of general satisfaction with the retiring Committee. When a Committeo has faithfully discharged its duties it has a right to expect that at the annual meeting the parents of the children attending the school wiU by their attendance show their appreciation of the services of those persons to whom they have entrusted the supervision of the education of their offsping. The following gentlemen were elected members of Committee for the ensuing yoar, viz., Messrs A. C. Begg, James Cunningham, Robert Chisholm, John Gillies, Sydney Haigh, Jfemes Lambert, A. H. Ross, George Sherriff, and Robert Watson. Mr Sheriff is the only new member. He takes the place of Mr Wales, who declined to be nominated, business engagements being likely to prevent his attendance at meetings for some time. ■

PORT CHALMERS.

This meeting was held in the school-room, where there were only sixteen people present. On the motion of Mr Joyce, Dr Dryadale was moved to the chair. The secretary, Mr M FARLANE, read the balance-sheet and report, which were adopted, Mr Elder moved that the number to form the Committee be seven which was carried; and the following gentle’ men were electedOr Drysdale, Messrs Andrew Thomson, Monson, Goldie, Elder. Joyce, and Mills.

N. E. VALLEY.

The meeting m the North-east Valley for the election of a School Committee resulted in the appointment of the following: -Messrs Isaac Green (chairman), Thomas Short (secretary). George Calder (treasurer), Robert Short. John Kunclman, William Printer, and James Farqu-har-on. We understand that the sohoohms* tress, Miss Lee, has resigned her situation.

EORBURY.

The following were elected members of Com. mittee Messrs Utting, Hodges, Hargreaves. Hardy, MTndoe, Carey, and Halligan.