MATAWHERO SCHOOL.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 916, 15 June 1903, Page 2

MATAWHERO SCHOOL.

MEETING OF HOUSEHOLDER?,

A meeting of tiie Matawhero householders was held on Saturday evening at the Matawmru School, about thirty being present. Mr R. M. Biriell, Chairman ot tiie Committee, presi it-d, ami explained that tiie meeting had been called owing to

the annual meeting having lapsed for want of interest, lie was glad to see that the householders present took an interest in educalion mutters.

ANNUAL RETORT

Mr Birrell, as secretary and treasurerpresented the report and balance sheet for the past year. The riport was as follows : ’• Tour Committee beg to report that during the year eudir g March 81st, 19U8, tiie school has maintained its efficiency,

the Inspector’s general and inspection reports being of a most satisfactory nature, and tv fleet great credit on tiie headmaster, assistant mistress, and teaching staff. Your Committee regret that the attendance at the school has, for a considerable time back, been declining. This is to be accounted for principally by the fact that

there have been few changes in this part of the district, and as the older pupils leave

school their places are not filled bv a corresponding number of younger children. Added to this, an epidemic of whooping cough has been prevalent for some time back, and has so seriously affected the attendance that your Committee have requested the Education Board not to pay capitation on the present attendance. During the year the school and out buildings have been maintained in excellent order. Two new tanks wore granted by the Board, and there is now an abundant water storage. In the month of February the children’s annual picnic was held in Mr Ewan Cameron’s paddock, and was successful in every respect The cadet corps maintains its efficiency, the boys taking a keen interest in the movement, and have been zealously canvassing for contributions towards getting new uniforms. Their efforts have met with a liberal response from the general public, and they expect shortly to have gathered the amount required. This movement has now been recognised by the Government and capitation granted. A deputation from the Willows settlers recently waited upon your committee to ask their co-opera-tion in getting a preparatory school opened on the Willows estate to act as a feeder to the Matawboro school and be administered by its committee. This matter will be brought up for your consideration at this annual meeting. Owing to the causes already stated your committoe have onlybeen able to carry the small credit balance of 9s 8d over to next year.” Mr Birrell, as chairman, formally moved the adoption of the report. Mr Bertram seconded the motion.

PROPOSED SIDE SCHOOL,

The Chairman said the main issuo of the report was the question of the establishment of a sido school at the Willows. He said when the question was first mooted, he was inclined to think that it might injure the school, but as be understood that, failiug the support of the Committee and the Board on the establishment of the school, it was intended to start a private school, he thought the matter one which the householders should decide. The children had a long way to come to the Matawhero school, and the proposed side school would act as a feeder to the main school.

Mr A. Gray asked if the deputation were present, as he thought it best to get their ideas on the subject The Chairman said several who had comprised the deputation wore present. Mr Bertram estimated that at the present time there were 30 children at the Willows who would attend a side school. At preseut they had to conic three or four miles, which was a long distance to walk, and it was not always safe to send the children on horseback. They thought it best to confer with the Matawhero school, before asking assistance from the Board. It was interned that the school should bo a preparatory one, and it would bo better worked under the Committeo tbun as a private school. Mr M. Hall : Have you got a site for the school, and the funds to maintain it ? Mr Bartram said they would first have to ask tho Education Board’s approval for its establishment. Mr Hall : But have you got any ground suitable, if tho Education Board is favor able ? Mr Bartram said there would be no difficulty about that. The school proposed was not like one that would die out, as there were many settlers at tho Willows. The Chairman : The prospects are that you will start a school in any case ? Mr Bartram : That is so. Mr T. Hamilton wished to know the definition of a preparatory school. Did it mean that the children attended up to a certain ago or a certain standard ? The Headmaster (Mr Marshall) suid it meant up to a certain standard. The side school would act as a part of the main school, and would count in tho total average. Mr R. H. Image asked what effect it would have on the school. He thought it would tend to weaken the school, for a certain number of children would withdraw to attend the side school. The Act provided that children over seven years were compelled to attend school if within a radius of two miles, while children over ten must attend if within three miles, He thought they might get a trap to bring them to school ; failiug that, the proposed side school would in time prove a necessity, which he was afraid would weaken the school.

The Chairman said that they were near the limit allowed for three teachers ; the loss of pupils would seriously affect the staff.

The Headmaster said they were just on the verge. The preparatory school took children up tc the second standard. It was just a question of time when side schools became main schools. As a matter of fact they continued on. The Makauri school was at first considered a side school, but they never got the children. They kept there. It would be an acquisition to the school, if it were guaranteed not to take children above the second standard. A householder suggested they might appoint a pupil teacher for the school. Mr Marshall said they could not do so, as that would necessitate the appointment of a master. A mistress could be appointed. Continuing, he said that it was better to make a school up to the second standard only. Better results could be obtained by a mistress teaching 100 pupils in one class than 50 pupils in six classes. Mr Bartram said they must either start a side school or a private school. Mr Marshall maintained that the standard of the school should be kept up. It

would be better for the children at The Willows to put in two-thirds time at the Matawhero school than to have a private school.

Mr Bartram said there was the question of the boys getting home. It was a long distance.

Mr A. Gray wished to know if the school would keep at the second standard. Referring to the Makauri school, he said the Matawhero Committee had refused to have anything to do with the school from the start, and so they could not say it had been a side school. The Chairman said the matter had been fairly well discussed, and he would put it to the meeting. The report wa3 then put and carried.

Mr Gray proposed that the balancesheet he adopted. He congratulated the Committee on their efforts during the year; they had done splendid work. Mr Hall seconded the motion, which was carried.

ELECTION OF COMMITTEE, Mr Birrell stated that he did not intend to seek re election. It bad been a pleasure to work on the Committee. He could look back to the time spent in the work of the school, and was satisfied to know they had always pulled along together in harmonious concord.

Several householders urged Mr Birrell to reconsider his decision, but he stated he had made up his mind. He then called for nominations. Mr Hall wished to know the attendances put in by the Committee at their meetings. The attendances were : Messrs Birrell 9, Image 9, Allen 9, O'Donnell 7, Lang 6, Von Fein 5, McFarlane 3. Mr Hall said that all had not

! done their duty. The Committee was then elected as follows Messrs Nasmith, Day, Bartram, Broeklebank, Image, Russell and O’Donnell.

Mr Birrell, in vacating the chair, said the Committee had an arduous task to undertake. The school was a big one, and a most expensive school to maintain, hut he hoped things would proceed smoothly. Mr Hall proposed a very hearty vote of thanks to the Chairman for his work during his term, auu also fur presiding that evening. This was seconded by Mr Bartram, and carried.