SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 383, 3 September 1875, Page 2

SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

CHRISTCIIURCH EAST. The fortnightly meeting of the committee for the Christchurch East educational district, was held last evening at half-past seven o'clock in St John's vestry. Present —Rev W. J. Habens (in the chair), Messrs J. P. Jameson, Kirk, and Packer. Leave of absence was granted to Mr W. R. Mitchell on account of illness, and also to Mr B. D. Thomas.

The chairman said that he thought it was hardly probable that the letter to Mr Loughrey conveying his appointment as head master of the central school had reached him in time for a reply. No reply had been received from the Minister of Education to the committee's letter of August 6th, respecting the erection of class-rooms at Bingslaud.

The committee requested that the chairman should write to the Minister of Education asking for a reply. The chairman stated that he understood from Mr Mitchell that the Minister of Education had agreed to allow £SOO for the head master's house and no more. The Minister for Education had not yet sanctioned the acceptance of Mr Kimball's tender for school furniture, he (the chairman) understood thai the Minister considered some of the furniture of too expensive a character. In the meantime the committee were incurring a heavy expense for the rent of the Music Hal], and they would shortly have to pay Miss Bolton's salary as head mistress. The chairman was requested to see the Minister of Education on the matter. A letter was read from the Minister of Educatiou sanctioning the appointment of Mr Silvester to the Avonside school at £l3O per annum, and Mr F. G. Moule as pupil teacher.

It was proposed by Mr Jameson, seconded by Mr Packer, and carried, " That the chairman see Mr Mitchell, with a view to carrying out the original resolution appointing Mr Woodford to Avonside." It was determined to take the necessary steps to obtain earth for filling up the ground at the Gloucester street school. The Chairman read a letter he had addressed to the Minister of Education respecting the wretched state of the South town belt school through defective drainage and want of levelling. A letter was read from the Minister of Education giving permission to the committee to caU for tenders for levelling and gravelling. The sub-committee were requested to call for the tenders, and also to be prepared by the next meeting with proposals for fencing. A letter was read from the Minister of Education stating that the senior inspector had reported that the first class at the Music Hall was out of order at 11.30 a.m. on the 23rd ult, and that the head master was at the depot selecting books. The chairman said that he had sent a copy of the letter to Mr Taylor, who had replied that he was away selecting Royal readers for fifteen minutes, that the class were busy at the time when the inspector called, and that the class was under the control of Mr Woodford.

It was determined that Mr Taylor bi informed that in the opinion of the committee the head master should not be absent from the school du'ing school hours. An application was read from Mr J. B. E. Taylor, for the mastership of either Icingsland or Barbadoes street schools. The secretary was directed to inform Mr Taylor that the Board did not intend to appoint a master at present. Two applications for employment as pupil teachers were ordered to be filed. A letter was directed to be written to Mr Hill asking if Mrs Todd was still employed in cleaning the Bingsland School, and if not, to state the reason why. The subcommittee were also requested to make arrangements for cleaning the school. The chairman called attention to the crowded state of St Luke's school, and Mr Jameson was requested to see if some of the scholars could not be transferred to the Music Hall and Trinity Church schools. A letter was read from Mrs Langbridge asking that her name might be entered for employment as assistant mistress at the Gloucester street school. The application was directed to be filed. An application for employment as assistant mistress by Miss Florence Dunnage was read, The secretary was directed to inform

Miss Dunnage that the committee did not intend at present to appoint an assistant mistress.

The chairman reported that Miss Bolton had arrived, and had called on him, and he must state that the impression on ' his mind respecting that lady was of a very favorable character, and fully justified the statements which had influenced the committee in their choice. Miss B.dlon had seen the Gloucester street school, and had expressed herself pleased with the arrangements. He (the chairman) might state that Miss Bolton had been informed before she left Melbourne, of the retrogressive movement which had taken place here with regard to education, but on consulting with Professor Irving, that gentleman had told her that she was bound in honor to fulfil her engagement. Her old friends at the Scotch College had, however, informed her that should she be dissatisfied with Christchurch, they would be glad to welcome her back.

After passing some accounts, the committee adjourned.