EAST CHRISTCHURCH SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 419, 15 October 1875, Page 3

EAST CHRISTCHURCH SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

The first meeting of the newly elected committee was held last evening in the vestry of the Congregational Church. Present—The Rev W. J. Habens, and Messrs Thomson, Colborne-Veel, Bray, Williams, and Kirk. The Rev Mr Habens was moved to the chair.

On the motion of Mr Thomson, seconded by Mr Bray, the Rev W. J. Habeas was unanimously elected chairman of the committee for the ensuing six months, A long report from the Inspector of Schools on the state of the schools of the district was received. Considerable discussion followed on a paragraph of the report relating to female pupil teachers, who had arrived at the age of seventeen years. Lengthened remarks were also made as to the advisablenessof admitting children under five years into the main school. In reply to Mr Thomson, the chairman said that children between five and six years old could be made to pay 10s a year under the Ordinance, but that no child under five years need be admitted to the school without the written sanction of the committee.

An opinion was expressed that it would be an improvement if the collector of the rate were a servant of the committee. Ultimately the inspector’s report was ordered to be filed for reference.

Leave of absence was granted to Mr Mitchell for six weeks.

The chairman referred to the water lying under the South belt school, and said that though authority had been received from the Minister of Education to call for tenders for the work, yet no money was to be spent without the authority of the Minister; and a difficully also existed about the permanent drainage of the locality not being yet determined. It was urgent, however, that temporary measures should be taken, and the sub-committee had opened the asphalte and inserted a 4-inch pipe to drain off the water. This plan, after consideration, was believed to be the most economical one, and though the expenditure had not received the sanction of the Minister of Education, the work was absolutely necessary. To render the drainage effectual, the flooring would perhaps have to be taken up, as it might be found that the water under the school lay in a succession of hollows. The present temporary measures would, however, do a great deal of good, and means would have to be taken! to prevent the fall of water from the down pipes flowing under the school, and he might mention that these pipes had been covered in with asphalte. [Laughter.J It was decided to advise the Minister of Education of the expense incurred. It was resolved that Mr Loughrey’s certificates be forwarded to the Minister of Education, with a desire that that gentleman should be classified.

The chairman reported the absence of Mr Gates, pupil teacher at the Music Hall on leave with a probability, of his resigning his position, and also jthe absence of Miss Allen from the South belt school, through llness.

A letter was read from the Minister of Education in reply expressing intention to carry out the provisions of the Fencing Ordinance at the Gloucester street school.

It was resolved that a payment of £IOOO be paid to the contractor of the Main school on the receipt of a certificate from the architect and the Minister of Education concurring.

The committee decided to advertise for applications for the position of caretaker at the Main school at a salary of £BO a year with house and fuel, subject to the approval of the Minister of Education,

Messrs Bray and Thompson were appointed a sub-committee to arrange for the cleaning

of the new school, and generally to take cognizance of any necessary work required to be done there.

The chairman stated that Mr Cuff had been authorised to survey the land at the south belt school prior to fencing, and Mr Kirk was authorised to have a gate erected where found required. It was resolved that the future meetings of the committee should be held at the same hour and place, the next to be called for that evening week. Mr Wheeler was re-elected secretary for six months. Discussion on the instructions to the committee from the Educational department was adjourned for a week. Consideration of other matters was also postponed until next meeting, and some accounts having been passed for payment, the meeting adjourned.