GISBORNE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 464, 5 July 1902, Page 2

GISBORNE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Tho monthly meeting of the Committee took place last night, there being present: Messrs Bright (Chairman), Orr, Graham, Oramond, and File. Mrs Sheen and Mr Atnbridgc interviewed the Committee, through whom they considered they should convoy a grievance in regard to the action of tho Education Board. Mr Ambridgo read and handed in the following letter “ We, the undersigned parents of scholars rocently awarded scholarships by the Education Board, Hawke’s Bay, tenable for one year, valuo £lO 4s, and others remaining from 1901, desire to enter our protest at tho delay and manner in which our children are being treated. Notwithstanding six months of the year having passed, only last week the first instalment came ■to hand, and instead of being the amount, £2 11s, as signed for by the children, only 9s came forward. This amount was respectfully declined by the scholars. We now respectfully ask that our objection to this method be forwarded to the Board. Our children having fulfilled all the requirements of the Education Aot, have sat and obtained a Board scholarship, valued at £lO 4s, conditionally that the scholars attend secondary classes during tho year. The fact of the Gisborne High School having been made free since these regulations came into forco (and this with ‘the consent of the Education Board) cannot be considered any reason why any deduction should be made. Had it not been understood the whole amount, £lO 4s, would be available for books and other expenses, many of the parents would have been unable to take up the scholarships. The local Board of Governors have dealt more fairly with their scholarship holders, having paid six months in full, with notice of discontinuance, while the scholars passing a higher percentage and obtaining a Board scholarship are being treated as described. We solicit your assistance in placing this matter before the Board, and trust that our just claims will be forthcoming without having to obtain same by other procedure.—Chas. H. Ambridge, .J. G. Cox, E. King, F. L. Shaw, A. Hansen, J. Sheen, E. Cussen, A. Kenny. Mr Ambridge said he understood that the Hawke's Bay Board had paid the money over to the Board of Governors in such a way that it was tied up. Children were asked to sign receipts for £2 11s 1 ], and then were only offered 9s. Mr JRowley had written to the Board asking I what he was to do with the money, the children refusing to accept the reduced amount. He could say for Mrs Sheen that her child would not have accepted the scholarship under the conditions now offered.

Discussion took place as to what the position really was, members considering it a misapprehension to say that the Governors had the money in hand. Mr File said if that were really so the grievance would be with the Board of Governors. Mr Graham said that he could not see any grievance excepting that children having a lower percentage of marks obtained more money. The grievance was not with them. He moved, and Mr Cramond seconded, that the letter be forwarded to the Education Department. The motion was carried. In regard to the refusal of the Board to plant trees on the Mangapapa school ground, Mr File said he had mentioned the subject to one or two people in that locality, and they believed that if the Committee suggested it a working bee could be organised to do the work. The Secretary said some fencing would be procured—that would be the Board’s work. It was decided to have a meeting of the Committee on the ground. The monthly report of the headmaster and correspondence were dealt with. Exemptions were granted to Mr F. T. ! Morgan and Bev. H. Williams, their j children receiving tuition elsewhere. Messrs Orr, Sweet, and the Chairman j were appointed a Visiting Committee for j the ensuing month.