SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 916, 15 June 1903, Page 3

SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

MATAWHEBO SCHOOL,

The first meeting of the nowly-elected Matawhoro School Committee was held on Saturday evening, at Matawhoro, after tho meeting of householders, there being present: Messrs Imago, Hay, Bertram, O’Donnoll, Nasmith, Bussell, and Brocklebank.

CHAIBMAN.

Mr Hay proposed Mr B. H. Imago as Chairman, he having been on the previous Committee. Mr O’Donnoll seconded tho nomination. This being the only nomination, Mr Imago Was elected Chairman. He thanked members for the honor conferred on him and hoped they would got on well together. SECBETAIiY AND TBEASUBEB. ,

Tho Chairman stand that in the past tho duties of secretary and treasurer hud been carried out by tho chairman, for which a salary of £5 per annum whs allowed. Ho stated thut bo was prepared to accept tho duties.

Mr Hay thought it best that a separate hon. secretary and treasurer should be appointed. It was better for tho work to bo divided among the members, rather than leave everything to tho chairman,

Mr Bartram considered it best lor the duties to be invested in tho chairman, for ho thought ho was entitled to anything that muy bo given in the way of remuneration.

Mr Hay stated that ho intended the oflico to bo an honorary ono. Mr Nasmith said ho agreed with Mr Hay. It wus better to separate the offices, for tho one so appointed would be able to get a grip of tbo finances, and so lighten tho chairman’s work. Ho thought the best plan would bo to make tho offico an honorary ono, the secretary to be voted a bonus at tbo end of the year if tbo fiuancos would allow the committeo to do so.

Tbo Chairman stated that to separato tho duties would moan doubling the work, for the secretary would have to be continuously interviewing tho chairman on difloront matters. Aftor furthor discussion it was decided that the duties bo vested in the chairman, tbo position to bo an honorary ono, a bonus being granted if tho finances allowed.

SIGNING CHEQUES.

Mr Nasmith was authorised to sign cheques in conjunction with the Chairman

DATE OF MEETINGS.

It was resolved to hold the meetings of tbo Committeo on tho last Saturday of every month, at 7 30 p.ui. MILITABY DBfLL.

Tho Headmaster, Mr Marshall, stated that as it was ncoessu'y fur tho ti-tellers to reeeivo instruction in military drill, the instructor, Mr C. F. L* wis, had informed him that it would be better if he could get his cudots present when (be instiuciion was being givon. 110 wished to know if tbo Committee were favorable to the boys going to town. Mr Htty asked how long it took to dml tho boys at present.

The Headmaster stated that it took an hour, but if ho look them to town it would mean at) hour and a half.

Mr Nasmith said that, while approving of military drill, ho considered it should not occupy too much of the school hours. Ho thought tho extra time lost should be mude up. No time should be lost during school hours if tho excellence of the school was to bo maintained. Boys, in after life, would not bo able to obtain good situations simply through their knowledge of drill. Would it not be found workable for the boys to go to town on the Sal-urduy ? Tho Headmaster said that personally he agreed with Mr Nasmith, but he did not see flow the time could be made up. As regards Saturday, it was tried and found unworkable for tho teachers, only about a third iitt Hiding. The Coairmau proposed that permission" bo grunted.

Mr Bartram wished to know in whose * charge tlio boys were, and whether they wero under the charge of the Headmaster till ttieir return.

T.'jo Headmaster stated that they were under his charge till they wore dismissed in town, übout three o’clock. Mr Bartram said that that was not satisfactory. They should be in charge of the Iloudmastor till they return.

Tho Chairman said ho would attach that to his motion, if the Committee were favorable.

Sovoral mombers opposed Mr Bartram’s suggestion, as they thought it would prove a tie to tho master.

After further discussion, the original motion, that permission be granted, was put and carried.

CARETAKER.

It was resolved that tho cleaning of the school be left in the hands of Mr and Mrs Greaves, as formerly, it boing stated that they wore giving tho utmost satisfaction. Tho salary allowed was tho same as prepreviously, £2 5s per month.

FIREWOOD

Tho Chairman stated that they had two cords of willow on hand, but thought that mofo would be required. The Headmaster suggested that kerosene heaters might act as well, if not better. Mr Nasmith considered that while the heaters were very serviceable, the fumes from them might affect the children, though they might act satisfactorily if the ventilation were good. The question was raised a 3 to the quality of firewood to be obtained, and after some discussion it was resolved to procure two cords of willow.

VENTILATORS.

The Headmaster stated that cold air came in through the ventilators, which helped to keep the rooms cold for the children. Ho thought that something should be done to cover the ventilators during the wiutor. After discussion, in the course of which several suggested remedies wore offered, it was resol'ed to leave the matter to the Chairman to attend to.

ATTENDANCE.

In reply to a question, the Headmaster stated that the attendance had improved of late, it being now at an average of 90. He said several children were irregular in their attendance. Ho had furnished the previous Committeo with a list of the .absenting ones, but no action was taken. The Chairman : They all gave an excuse. FINANCE.

Tho Chairman said they had a small sum in hand, and should be careful in thoir expenditure. The quarterage would shoctly bo collected, which would help cnom along. It was stated that the Committeo received Is a meoting from religious bodies, but if tho schoolroom were let for other purposes it would bo necessary to insure it, paying a fee of 14s for a risk of three weeks. It was resolved to go into the question at a later meeting, it being suggested to hold an entertainment or something of the sort. Tho Committee then adjourned.