SOHOOL COMMITTEE.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 56, 7 March 1901, Page 3

SOHOOL COMMITTEE.

The ordinary meeting of the Gisborne School Committee was held last evening. Present :—Messrs Morgan, Matthews, Bright, DeLautour, and Ambridge. In the absence of the Rev. H. Williams, Mr Morgan was voted to the chair. CORRF.SPOSDEN'CE. The Board of Education wrote stating that Mr H. Johnston had been appointed as first year pupil teacher in accordance with the recommendation of the Committee.

The Board of Education also wrote with regard to the asphalting of the school grounds, offering to subsidise any amount raised by the Committee to the extent of £ for provided the expenditure did not exceed .£4O. The matter was referred to the Visiting Committee and Chan-man to deal with. st. Patrick’s sports. St. Patrick’s Sports Committee wrote asking that the school children should be granted a holiday at the school on Thursday next from the hour of 12 o’clock. Mr Bright: "What has been done in previous years ? Secretary : Last year the application was not granted. Mr Morgan : Tho children were granted a half-holiday the other day for the Caledonian Sports, but I do not know who authorised it. The Chairman must have done it on his own responsibility. We can hardly give it to one without the other, and on that account I move that the request bo granted. Mr Bright: If we would not grant it last year we should not do so this year. Mr Morgan : It was granted to another body.

Mr Bright: But not by the Committee. It was not brought before us. We stated last year that all denominations should be refused such requests. Tho Secretary: The reason tho Committee applied this year is that a similar application had been granted to another body.

Mr Bright: The Headmaster keeps on thumping into us about the irregular attendance, and says every time there is a half-holiday it disturbs tho attendance of the following day. There is no reason why wo should got into these little grooves. Mr Ambridge: Wo have been unfortunate in connection with our own sports, and here is an excellent opportunity for a little amusement. It should be distinctly laid down that wo should not grant these things, but seeing that another body has been granted a like favor we cannot refuse it in this ease. I would not second the application otherwise. Mr Matthews: It seems to mo that you cannot refuse this application after just granting a similar one. I cannot see that a half-holiday nowand then does any harm. The children do not got enough holidays. Tho application was granted, Messrs Bright and DeLautour voting against it.

headmaster’s report

In his monthly report the Headmaster stated that the attendance had been more satisfactory during the last three weeks, although tho weather of the past week had spoilt it somewhat. lie had explained to tho Visiting Committee the plan he had adopted with a view of encouraging tho attendance, and although it was yet early to give an opinion, lie was inclined to think that the plan would work advantageously. The practice for tho concert was progressing, though slowly, owing to tho circumstances of the case, as all practices had to be taken after school hours and on Satur-

days, and it was difficult to got a regular attendance. lie had rcccivod the announcement of the drawing examinations to be hold in July for scholars attending the schools of tho district. He did not know whether entry was obligatory, but

if it were it seemed unreasonable to cxpoct thorn to work tho twelve months in eight. He was writing for information on this point.

visitixto committee’s retort,

The Visiting Committee, Messrs Bright and DeLautour, reported that they had visited the sohool and found everything in good order, and no requisitions were made. The Committee specially consulted tho Headmaster as to the scheme he had for

improving the attendance at the school, and they came to the conclusion that the plan was worthy of a trial. They had authorised Mr Bull to procure a dozen air

guns in this connection, Tlio Committee examined the tank and found the water was good.