SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 96, 2 May 1901, Page 2

SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

The ordinary meeting of the School Committee \yas held last evening, when the following members were present: — Messrs A. F. Matthews (chairman), Graham, Nolan, Hookey, Morgan, Brown, Humphreys, Sawyer, and Capt. Winter. CORRESPONDENCE, The Secretary of the Board of Education wrote announcing that the Board concurred with the committee’s recommendation that scholarship papers should be denoted by a number. He also asked the Committee to forward to the Board a written application for the sum of -G2O for asphalting. With regard to tho sum of .£9O capitation claimed by tho Committe, the Secrotary of .the Board wrote asking what the Committee wished the Board to do'.—The matter was left in the hands of tho Chairman to obtain information and reply to tho letter.

In reply to Captain Winter, the Chairman said that the Committee received from the Board last year the sum of £IIS, amount payable for capitation calculated on the attendance. The Secretary said that the incomo of the Committee was about .£4O per quarter. The Committee had out of that amount to find school requisites, and pay for cost of cleaning, takiug care of the building and grounds, etc. Tlie caretaker received .£52 per yoar. headmaster’s report. The Headmaster reported that, with tho recent fine weather, the attendance had shown a great improvement, which would be more marked but for tho prevalence of minor ailments. He had received a circular from tho Board, asking what work they were prepared to undertake under the now regulations for technical education. He had replied that they proposed to carry on the work hitherto engaged in in the primer classes and Standard I, and to introduce a certain amount up to Standard IV. With regard to classes not lower than V., ho had replied that he could not say anything definite till after tho projected visit of the Commissioners. Tho prizes for tho High School had been obtained, and he would be glad if they would undertake arrangements for their presentation. Friday week would bo a suitable date. Several matters with regard to repairs to tho grounds were recommended by Mr Bull, who also asked the Committee to obtain two or three May-poles, which would bo useful for rocroation and instruction. Tho Chairman said that the members of the old committee had met Mr Brown, ono of the Technical Inspectors, and had discussed the subject of .technical education. It was intended to mako an amended application to tho Government through the Board for the sum of £SOO for building and appliances. He thought that tho question was a large one, and should bo dealt with cautiously. Mr Morgan explained to the committee how it was the old committee had applied for £2OO and then decided to put in an amended application for £SOO. In talking tho matter over originally with Mr Hill, the committee came to the conclusion that they might as woll ask for a substantial sum whilst they wore about it. He favored the technical subjocts being made part of the school course and substituted for other subjects. Mr Graham did not think technical education would be a success in the small towns! Nevertheless, he was in favor of applying for a vote of £SOO. He had yet to be convinced as to the success of the schemes which ho had read about. There appeared to his mind to be no practical element in what Mr Hill had suggested. Mr Morgan, thought the Committee should use every effort to bring technical education into the district schools. The Chairman said that the amended application for £SOO had not yet been sent to the Board.

Captain Winter did not see that the Committee had any reason to withdraw their application for £2OO. They could advance no sound reason for doing so.

The Chairman took a similar view, and preferred to wait the result of the first application. Mr Sawyer said that there was nothing like asking for a good sum, and then they might stand, a chance of getting something. A motion that the Committee should await the result of the £2OO application was proposed by Captain Winter and carried.

It was decided to get tyro Maypoles for the girls, as suggested by the Headmaster, also a flagstaff for the school.

PERSONAL.

Mr C. Hall has been re-appointed a member of the Hawke’s Bay Land Board.

Mr T. J. Dickson returned to Gisborne yesterday from Auckland. Among the passengers by the steamer Elingamite yesterday was Mr Price, from the Old Country. Sergeant-Major Finn,- of Napier, arrives by Saturday’s steamer, and holds a Government inspection parade of tho Gisborne Rifles on Monday evening. Mr H. D. Bell, of Wellington, who has been in Gisborne on Supreme Court work, returned South by the Elingamite last evening. Mr Bruce, of Kanaokanae, returned to Gisborne yesterday, having made a short trip with Mrs Bruce, prior to that lady taking a voyage toScotland, Mr Chamber's, purser of tho s.s. Elingamite, who remained behind at Sydney last trip, owing to illness, has rejoined the steamer, having now quite recovered from his illness.

Mr B. Woodhouse, who was formerly in business in Gisborne, and who for the past few years has held an important commercial position in the Old Country, returned to Gisborne yesterday. We are pleased to learn that Mr Edward Cussen, who was in a very serious state of health at the beginning of the week, is now progressing well, and should be able to leave his bed in a day or two. He was returning to Gisborne, doing well after a period, of illness, but the rough trip caused him to elapse into a critical condition.

Mr J. Sigley, who has been on tho list of invalids for some weeks owing to a fall near the Post-office, is steadily recovering from the effects of the accident. A brother of Mr Sigley is at present on a visit to Gisborne.

The many Gisborne friends of Mr and Mrs Frank Heeney met at their residence, Kaiti, on Tuesday evening for the purpose of bidding them farewell and God speed prior to their departure for England. Regret was freely expressed by all present at the loss sustained by the people of the flat at Mrs Heeney’s departure from amongst them, few of whom in time of illness have not received some kindness from that lady’s hands. The young pebble especially will miss her, as she has always taken a leading 'part in promoting social evenings for their amusement.' Mr and Mrs Heeney proceed Home via Sydney. and Melbourne, and leave for the former place by the llqraroa on Saturday next.’ 1 '

One of the most successful socials ever held in Waipawa was that tendered by the townspeople to Bliss Bosie. Tho Oddfellows’ Hall was filled to overflowing, numbers having come from all round the district t 9 fie present. Bliss Bosie was presented with a handsome silver inkstand and silver-mounted purse from expupils, and with a gold muff-chain by present pupils of the school from which she is removing.—Napier Telegraph. A prescntatlqn of a pleasing khid was made to Blr D. G. Hawkins yesterday by the employees of Messrs Common, Shelton and Co. on the occasion of his severing his connection with that firm. Blr Hawkins was the recipient of a very handsome ease of pipes and a letter containing the best wishes of his companions. Wo understand that Blr Hawkins has received the appointment of accountant at Blessrs Adair Biros., which position he takes up as soon as he has been away for a short holiday.;’,-