SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

Globe, Volume V, Issue 539, 10 March 1876, Page 4

SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

ASHBURTON. An drdinary meeting of the above school Committee was held in the District school, Ashburton, on Wednesday evening last ; present —Messrs H. T. Winter (chairman), J. B. Trevor, Burnett, Shury, D. Williamson, and Doherty. The minutes of the previdus meeting were read and confirmed. The secretary stated that George Parkins’ tender for the erection of closets was accepted. A letter was read from Miss Christina Henderson, accepting the position of pupil teacher. The secretary was instructed to advertise for a male pupil teacher; applications to be sent in to the chairman before the 15th instant. An application was received from the secretary of the lodge of the 1.0.G.T., for the nse of one of the schoolrooms during the alteration of the library. The use of the small room was granted on conditions that the forms and desks be replaced, and the xooin cleaned out in time for school the next day. The school was also granted to the Rev Mr Burnett for the next three Sundays at two o’clock for divine service on behalf of the Presbyterian community, and to the Roman Catholic community for service on the third Sunday in March, at 11 a.m. Resolved—“ That no child under five years of age be allowed to attend the school, and that the master’s attention be drawn to clause 47 of the Ordinance, with instructions to carry out the same.” A letter from the schoolmaster was read in reply to the petition received from six householders at the last meeting of the committee. The secretary was instructed to forward extracts from the same in reply to those signing the petition, and intimate the same to the schoolmaster. Moved by Mr Williamson, seconded by Mr Burnett—” That the committee do not approve of the master jholding any appointment that may take up any portion of his time during school hours,” Moved by Mr Shury, seconded by Dr Trevor, with reference to the above resolution—“ That in consideration of the master having hitherto held the position of Registrar to the district with the knowledge of ttie committee* the committee have no objection to his retaining the same, unless it be found to interfere with the work of the school. It having been brought to the knowledge of the committee that the master is in the habit of opening and closing the school with prayer, he be instructed to comply with the Ordinance bearing on the subject. In order to comply with section 22 of the Ordinance to determine who should be the retiring mem* hers of the committee, Messrs Winter, Trevor, and Hunt drew lots to decide who should retire, the votes given to each being the same, it was decided by lot that Messrs Trevor and Hunt should retire, and Messrs Burnett ; and Shury, having polled the smallest number of votes, made the four retiring members. A letter from the Secretary for Education, requiring the committee to provide the books wanted out of incidental funds in hand ; also, stating that Christina Henderson not passed her examination as pupil teacher, and can only be appointed as half pay candidate, subject to her passing next June; further, advising the committee to advertise for a male pupil teacher. The committee then adjourned.