MEETING OF HOUSEHOLDERS.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 876, 28 April 1903, Page 3

MEETING OF HOUSEHOLDERS.

GISBORNE DISTRICT SCHOOL. Between forty and fifty householders attended the annual meeting, held at the Gisborne District School last evening. Mr J. W. Bright presided. The annual report, which has already been published in the Timks, was read by the secretary, Mr W. J. Quigley. On the motion of the Chairman,seconded by Mr Sweet, tho report was adopted. Mr Stafford thought that it was particularly pleasing to see such a good report, and also to know that there was a substantial credit balance. The Chairman read a letter from Mr E.

Cratnond, wiio apologised for his nonattendance at the meeting that evening, and expressed his willingness to again stand for election. Mr Bright referred to the good work Mr Cramond had done during tho past year. A letter was received from Mr W. Morgan m regard to the payment for a flagstaff which had been erected during the year tie was Chairman of Committee, but the erection of which the Committee had not agreed to. Ho thought that it had been sent by an anonymous donor until he was told by Mr Matthews that Mr Monte expected payment for it. Mr Bright, on behalf of Mr Moate, dis-

claimed .-my liability. lie was prepared to state that Mr Moate was willing to present the flagstaff to the Committee. “ If he does not pay for it, then I wi II,” re marked Mr Bright,”—so that disposes of Mr Morgan’s letter. The election of,’a committee of nine was then proceeded with, the following being nominated : Messrs Graham, Cramond, Bright, Hookey, Brown, Sweet, Wildish, Somervell, Humphrey;-, File, Cummings, Dixon, und Orr. The following were elected : Messrs Bright, Graham, Brown, Hookey, Cramond, Sweet, Humphreys, File, and Somervell. Tho Chairman invited suggestions in regard to technical instruction. Mr Stafford urged that plain, practical and solid geometry, book keeping, and shorthand should be included in tho syllabus. Tho Chairman said ho was informed that practical and solid goometry was taught in tho sixth standard. Mr Graham thought that suggestions should bo invited from tho young men as to the subjects most required. Practical geometry, mathematics, book-keeping and shorthand were requirod, us well as a number of other subjects. Ho believed

that a largo number of young men could be got to. attend classes for these subjects. He suggested that a special committee should be appointed to proceed with the thing and get it going.

Mr Hookey agreed with tho remarks of Mr Graham. During the two years ho had served on the committee something in regard to technical education had como up at every meeting. Ho thought the mooting should instruct tho incoming committee to make it their first business to inaugurate) technical classes. 110 moved a resolution to that effect. Mr J. Somervell secondodtho resolution, which ho was sure would bn productive of a great deal of good. He believed in technical classes, because they kopfc tho

young men off tho streets. Tho Chairman approved of the motion, which on being put to tho meeting was carried unanimously. Mr Haisman spoko of the advisability of encouraging all pupils who wore regular in attendance at school. All children who put in the full number of attendances should, ho said, receive prizes in the way of books. The Chairman said that this oponod up a large question. It was not fair for children who lived next door to the school to receive prizes as against those who lived some miles away. The better test was the progress that the children mrdo during the year. The question of preparing children for scholarship was introduced by "the Chairman. Mr Graham thought tho matter might well bo loft to tho schoolmaster. He contended that hitherto the scholarships had often boon gained at the expense of other pupils. Tho matter should bo left to tho headmaster. Mr Sweet differed with Mr Graham, and thought that it was a pity if the Gisborne School did not send up more pupils for tho scholarship examination. They had only sent two pupils up last year, and thoy were both low down on tho list. There was also the question of compensation to be considered. Mr Stafford had always noted with great pleasure the enthusiasm shown by the Gisborne school in regard to scholarship examinations, and ho desired to see this continue, as it was a really good thing. Mr Somervell spoke in favor of continuing to sond pupils for tho scholarship examination, In tho old days many pupils in order to get into the High School had to sit for tho scholarship examination, and qualify by obtaining more than half marks. Tho scholarship examination, to his mind, gave tho school a higher standard in overy way. Tho Chairman thought tho scholarship examinations tended to improve the status of tho school, and should bo fostered. 110 moved “ That it be a recommendation to tho School Committee to endeavor to foster scholarships in the Gisborne District High School.” Mr Graham wished tho headmaster, Mr Rowley, to place his views before tho meeting. Mr Filo said that it was at tho request of tho School Committeo that Mr Rowley reported on tho question of scholarship examinations. In his report Mr Rowley stated that lie could not continue tho scholarship classes without taking from the instruction given to tho lower standards.

Mr Wildish thought tho reason of tho small number of candidates at tho last scholarship examination was to bo found in tile fact that free tuition had been introduced into tho secondary school, and he thought the Committee should stand by [he headmaster in regard to this matter.

Mr Sampson endorsed Mr Wildish’s re marks in regard to free tuition in the High School being the reason of small cowpeti tion for the scholarship examinations. There was also the fact that there wore

many openings to boys who had passed the sixth standard for employment. He strongly favored the establishment of technical classes, which could bo taken advantage of by all. Mr Lowlcy, in reply, said that in tho, future Gisborne could not expect to got more than its share of scholarships as compared to the other schools in tho dis trice. The Gisoornc school had in the pastbeen specially favored in tho way of teachers, who devoted a great leal of I heir own time to instruct tho pupils. Under tho present conditions, he was not prepared to give his time after school hours and on Saturdays to instruct pupils for the scholarship examinations, and he could not do it in school hours without doing an injustice to tho other children. If there were children who were anxious to go for the scholarship examinations and were prepared to work hard, then he would be pleased to do his best for them, so long as it did not unduly interfere with the work of tho school. They would work for the children for the sake of the children, and not for their own glorification. The Chairman said thafc notwithstanding what had been said ho was still strongly of opiniqn that the school should endeavor to foster the scholarship examination. It would be a great mistake to eliminate from tho school tho spirit of emulation that these examinations pro-

duced, Mr Graham moved, and Mr File seconded, “ That the matter of scholarship examination be left to the Headmaster.” A voce being taken, the amendment being carried by 21 to 19. Votes of thanks to the outgoing committee and the teaching stall concluded

the meeting. At a meeting of the committo Mr J. W. Bright was elected chairman and Mr W. J. Quigley secretary.