SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 257, 8 April 1875, Page 4

SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

WEST CHRISTCHURCH. The committee met on Thursday evening, the Ist April, at 7,30. Present—Messrs H, J. Tancted (chairman), Bowie, Craig, Hawkes. Nairn, and McNie. The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. The visiting committee appointed at last meeting reported that they had made arrangements with the head master Lincoln road school, to carry on the infant department during the temporary absence of Mrs Cutler, under the charge of Miss Mackett. They had also appointed the following pupil teachers as authorised, viz, Misses Kindleysides and Clara Edwards to Lincoln road school, and Miss Katie Thornton to Durham street school. The appointments were confirmed by the committee. The following letters were read : From the Board of Education, sanctioning the appointments of Misses K udleysides and Thornton as pupil teachers. From the Assistant Provincial Secretary, stating, in answer to the committee’s representations, that a notice board would be provided for the collector’s office. Applications were received from Mr J. J. Vincent, Miss Kuapmann, and Miss Burrell, for appointments under the committee, and were ordered to be filed. A letter was read from Mr Sandstein, stating that the clock for the Lincoln road school was shipped in London on board the Mystery, which sailed on the 13th January last. A letter was read from the chairman of the Timaru school committee, asking the support of the committee to the following alteration of the Education Act, as to the mode of electing members of school committees;—“ The committees should be elected for three years, three members retiring annually in rotation.” The secretary was directed to acknowledge receipt of the letter, and to state that the committee quite concur in the resolution, and will give it their hearty support. The report on the examination of Lincoln road School (boys’ department), forwarded by the Inspector (Mr Rested), was read as follows : “ This may be regarded as the preliminary examination on commencing, in complete working order, in the new building. “The organisation, discipline, and tone of the school are uncommonly good. It is, as at present conducted, the best model of town schools in Canterbury. The subjects of instruction in the higher classes are somewhat numerous, regard however is had to the requirement of several elder boys ; but the prime care is to impart and to maintain accuracy in the elementary and ordinary subjects of- instruction. The papers done by the three upper classes—in all seventy-one boys—are highly creditable; they show a good grounding in English composition, grammar, geography, history, and arithmetic. Grammar is the most difficult subject with boys; but the remarkable accuracy of these shows that it is well understood and skilfully taught. The bookkeeping, mensuration, mechanism, mapping, and penmanship of the senior scholars are very commendable. Latin, algebra, and Euclid have been commenced. “ The fourth and lower classes passed satisfactorily in the programme submitted by the head master.” The secretary stated that he had forwarded to the Board the estimate required by it of the probable proceeds of household rates and school fees for the year 1875-6; also the estimated expenditure for the same period. A report from Rev J. Gumming, Lincoln Board school, was read. He strongly urged on the committee the necessity of providing increased accommodation for the infant department, He also stated that it was the wish of the teachers that the present system of holidays should be altered and “ terms” substituted. The report was considered, and it was decided to refer it to the visiting committee for the month for further enquiry. Mr Gumming also forwarded a report from Miss Stothard on the remarks of the inspector at the recent examination of the girls’ department, together with a letter giving three months’ notice of her intention to resign her charge of the school. The secretary was directed to acknowledge the letter, and .to state that the committee accept her resignation. Messrs Craig and Hawkes were appointed the visiting committee for the next month. Attention was called to the state of the grounds at Lincoln road school, and Mr Nairn was requested to see that they were put in repair; also to have the artesian well altered. The items in Messrs England Bros’ account objected to by the Board as not having received its sanction, were gone over, and, after discussion, it was decided that the account should be referred to Messrs Craig and Hawkes, to interview the Board, and make the necessary explanations as to this and the other necessary expenditure incurred by the committee, and not yet passed by the Board. On the recommendation of the master of Durham street school, it was decided to recommend the Board to increase Mr T. G. Smith’s salary as assistant master to £IOO per annum. It was also decided to request the Board to recommend the Government to place on the estimates a sum of £IOOO for building a house on the school grounds for the head master. Mr J. T. Bell was elected a member of committee. The secretary was directed to advertise in the local papers for a mistress for Lincoln road school, in room of Miss Stothard, resigned. On the motion of Mr Nairn, seconded by Mr Bowie, the quorum was reduced from five to three. The secretary here handed in his resignation as a member of the committee, as he had removed from the district. A unanimous vote of thanks was passed for his services during the year and nine months he had acted as honorary secretary. Leave of absence was granted to the chairman during the session of the Provincial Council. The committee then adjourned.