School Committee.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 32, 7 February 1901, Page 3

School Committee.

Tub monthly meeting of the Gisborne School Committee was hold last evening, when the following members were present :—Rev. 11. Williams (in the chair), Morgan, Ambridgc, Matthews, DeCsiutour. Bright, Humphreys, and Ranger. ukadmastkr’s kb pout. The Headmaster reported that the school rc-oponcd on Monday last with an attendance of 601, and that day s attendance was 607. This was rather bettor than their usual opening, but there were still many children absent. Parents should consider whilst it was still early in the year that this was the most important time, and that every day lost now meant serious impediment to their children’s progress. Miss Atkinson, the newly-appointed assistant in the secondary classes, had taken up her duties at the Commencement of school work. A RF.CKNT BURGLARY. Under date of December 21st, the Head Master wrote :—“ I am in receipt of your communication conveying the resolution of the Committee with regard to tho missing money. Considering that the Committee is at no loss in the matter I am unable to understand its attitude, as indicated by the resolution and the discussion thereon. The Committee seems to have forgotten that I had undertaken as a favor the work which was the source of the loss ; and to have been careless about the possible effect on the school of the course adopted, or my position as head master would have protected me from such an indignity as a public vote of censure. In order to obviate the possibility of my being again placed in a similar false and humiliating position I have now to ask tlio Committee to take over the stock of books remaining in my hands. With regard to the collection of quarter money, I must be loft to make my own arrangements. My other duties will not allow me time to collect and bank every 20s that may come in. I have lodged £ls to the credit of the Committee, pending the receipt of data which will enable me to arrivo at the proper amount to be paid.” The Head Master also wrote-under date of February 6th At a period of excusable irritation I wrote suggesting the Committee to take over certain stock. The healing influence of a few weeks has induced me to modify my stand then taken. Rather than see the books sacrificed, as would possibly happen, I am willing to retain them and dispose of them as soon ns possible (which may however, be some time yet'. I need hardly say that once done with this I cannot again undertake a similar work.” Mr Morgan : With regard to that matter, sir, and the discussion which took place at last meeting, I am anxious to get n little information. Having been in the chair I was astonished to read in the press report that Mr Matthews had stated that the Committee knew of the defective window. I should like to ask if the Committee heard that stated. Mr Matthews: As far as I recollect, the report was word for word of what I I said. lam positive of it. It was exactly word for word, Mr Morgan, reading from the report in question: Mr Matthews is reported as saying—ls it not the Committeee that is to'blame for that window, in not seeing that it was repaired, They knew about the window, and should have attended tQ it.”

Mr Morgan added that he had no recollection of hearing Mr Matthews make the statement. He (Mr Morgan) was one. of the Visiting Committee, and not knowing that the Committee knew of it, he had stated that Mr Bull was to blame. He wished to set matters right, and that was why he mentioned it. If Mr Matthews, as a committee man, knew of the window he was to blame, and if the Committee knew of it they were to blame. Mr Matthews: If that is read carefully you will see that it is in the form of a query. I said, “Is not the Committee to blame.” The report is perfectly correct, and if members have any doubts they can refer to the reporter’s notes. The Chairman : I have no recollection of the matter having been reported to the committee as a body. Mr Ambridge: I have no recollection of the statement being mado. Mr Matthews : “ I am quite satisfied that I said it. As far as I recollect some member said, 1 But the window has been broken for a month,’ and what I said was in reply. Mr Bright: I think it would be better to let that matter drop. I think that who ever took that money knew exactly where it was kept', and the fact of knowing ’.whether the window was broken or not would not affect the question. Mr Bull has put the committee to no loss. Mr DeLautour regretted that the subject of the money had cropped up again. His feeling about the matter was that as they were in the new year and the new century they should have a clean sheet. Ho wished to state that it had not been previously impressed upon his mind that the money in question was from the receipts of sales of books. Ho was inclined to move something after the following : “ That in consideration that the loss of money in Mr Bull’s charge was from money taken as receipts for books, the sale of which he had voluntarily undertaken, the Committee refund the amount as early as possible, and that the supply by the committee of books as soon as possible be stopped.” The resolution was adopted. EFFICIENCY OF THE SCHOOL.

With ‘regard to the resolution on tho subject of the efficiency of the school, Mr Mr Bull wrote quoting from the Inspector’s ‘‘report to show that tho latter did not give it as his opinion that the school had ceased to be efficient, but his remarks tended to show that the efficiency of the school had suffered through irregular attendance. He (Mr Bull) suggested the return to the old method of giving prizes for attendance, and also referred to a scheme ho had in mind, the details of which lie did not state. Ho further announced his intention of conducting periodical examinations throughout the school and having reports thereon. The matter was fully discussed by the Committee and it was finally decided that tho visiting committee should confer with Mr Bull with regard to tho poor attendance and report to the next meeting. SCHOLARSHIP EXAMINATIONS.

On the motion of Mr DeLautour, seconded by Mr Matthews, it was resolved: “That scholarship examinations being run wholly independent of tho general examination of tho school, it is respectfully represented to the Education Board it would bo more satisfactory alike to the examiner and teachers and parents if the examinations were in future to bo conducted in tho same manner as the examinations conducted by the University, the papers and schools being denoted by a number and letter.” SIXTH STANDARD SCHOLARS.

Mr Henry Walker wrote asking to be supplied with the age of all the scholars that passed tho last 6th Standard examination by the School Board Inspector, and the number of marks gained by each. On tho motion of Mr Ambridge it was agreed to supply the information asked for. The report on the junior division of the High School was received, and consideration of tho same was deferred until next meeting'.-