GISBORNE SGHOOL COMMITTEE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2312, 3 October 1908, Page 2

GISBORNE SGHOOL COMMITTEE.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Gisborne School Committee was held last evening. Present: Mr. J. Somervell (chairman), Messrs Riach, Wildish, A. Spence, Darton, the Revs. L. D. Thomas and W. Grant. ‘ The Hawke’s Bay Education Board wrote stating that it his been decided to appoint an instructor in elementary agriculture for the south and middle wards, at a salary of £275 per annum, and £IOO travelling expenses ; and (asked what support' might, bo expected from local bodies towards providing a similar instructor for the northern ward. The Board expressed the wish that the committee should discuss the subject with the High School Board of Governors. .. Mr. Darton said it was the'intention of the Board to appoint a teacher for the south ward, and if a salary was forthcoming one would probably also be appointed for the northern ward. It was anticipated that a good man would be engaged, and it was hoped this scheme and the scheme outlined by the High School Board of Governors, could be worked together. It was for the committee to say how far the two schemes could be adopted. Mr. Grant said tlie scheme covered by the letter called for serious consideration, and the committee should be cautious before deciding. Mr. Darton suggested that a conference be held with tlie High School Board of Governors. Tlio suggestion was adopted, and it was decided to ask tlie Board of Governors to meet the eommittee on Thursday evening next-. A copy of the recommendations of the High School Board of Governors for the appointment of an instructor in agriculture was received from the Education Board. * Mr. Kinder wrote applying for an increaso of salary. The secretary of tlio Hawke’s Bay Education Board wrote stating that in regard to the agreement of tlio Board to contribute to the salaries of assistants employed in t-lie secondary department, the salaries of Mr. Kinder and Mi s s Hunt would bo on the rates provided by the Education Act after December ’3lst next. Mr. Kinder’s letter was forwarded to the Education Board, with a recommendation that the salary be'increased, and consideration of the Board of Governors’ recommendations was deferred. The Cook County 'Women’s Guild asked the committee to grant the children a holiday on Labor Day.— The committee decided to grant- 'a -holiday. The -headmaster reported that the attendance at tlie school was 810 pupils, with an average daily attendance of 89 per cent. The staff was one teacher short, -and an effort had been made to engage a teacher locally. He recommended that the Education Board be asked to appoint a temporary teacher until the end of the year. The concert held last week returned -a profit of about £4B, which would be handed to the 'committeo tor the purchase of prizes and books tor tlie school library. Authority was given to' the headmaster to appoint a temporary teicher, the appointment to'bo confirmed by the Board. A vote of thanks was tendered to the headmaster and all who assisted 111 making tlio school concert a sueCGSS The committee appointed to report upon the urgent- requirements of the school, submitted a lengthy report, and recommended that asphalt he placed in the girls’ playground, and a quantity of gravel in the boys’ playgroundthat a bicycle shed he erected and a shelter shed built for infant boys. The committee also recommended that- the School Committee consider the advisability of placing a'striking clock in the school tower.

Air. Grant said -lie would have liked to have seen an estimate of the cost of tho work provided with tho report. If the cost was excessive the public could he appealed to for assistance Tho report was referred back to the committee to furnish -an estimate of the cost of tho work. Air. Wildish moved that the ni«ht of meeting be changed from the first h riday in the month to tho last Friday in the month. The motion was carried,