WEST CHRISTCHURCH SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Globe, Volume V, Issue 552, 25 March 1876, Page 3

WEST CHRISTCHURCH SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

The usual monthly meeting of the committee was held on Wednesday, the 15th instant, at 7,30 p.m. Present—Messrs Tancred (chairman), Bickerton, Booth, Nairn, Craig, Bowie, and Harris. Letters were read from the Secretary for Education authorising the committee to advertise for tenders for the erection of infant school buildings at Lincoln road, and sanctioning the appointment of certain pupil teachers, A letter was read from the Rev J. Gumming, having reference to the salaries paid to the teachers employed under him at Lincoln road school, Mr Cumraing’s letter was considered, and the matter fully discussed. It was decided that a deputation, consisting of the chairman, with Messrs Bickerton, Booth, and Harris, wait upon the Minister for Education to point out the injury which the Lincoln road school suffers from the want of sufficient salaries being paid to the teachers, whereby a large part of the staff is being drafted off to other schools which offer higher remuneration. A letter was read from Mr J. R. Wilkinson resigning his appointment as fourth master, as he had received an appointment at the Normal school, and requesting to be informed when the committee could dispense with his services. It was decided that Mr Wilkinson could leave as soon as the committee could fill his place. The secretary reported that he had advertised for tenders for infant school, which were to be sent in on Monday the 20lh inst, and it was decided to hold a special meeting on that date. Applications from A, E . Triggs and John M. Fraser were ordered to be filed. Mr Craig and Mr Harris intimated that they intended retiring from the committee at the end of the month, and would not offer them selves for re-elestion. As the other members would have to retire, it was agreed to decide the matter by lot, and on this being done, it was found that Messrs Bickerton and Booth were the retiring members. The committee then adjourned.

A special meeting was held on the 20th inst. Present—Messrs Craig, Harris, Booth, Nairn, Bell, Bowie, Bickerton, and Tancred (chairman), Mr Booth, for the deputation appointed at last meeting, reported that they had waited on the Minister for Education on the subject of salaries. After discussing the matter, the Minister requested that the com mittee should submit to him their proposals with reference to increase of salaries and the appointments of teachers to supply the

place of those removing to Normal School. A letter was read from Mr Gumming, submitting a plan for the reorganisation of the teaching staff, a’so forwarding the resignations of Miss Kesteven and Miss Mackett, who had received appointments at the Normal School. A letter was also read from Mr Thornton, resigning his appointment for the same reason; It was decided to accept the resignations on the same terms as that of Mr Wilkinson. The consideration of Mr Cumming’s letter was postponed until further information was before the committee as to the salaries paid to teachers in other larger schools, A letter was read from the City Council asking the committee to give such instructions as would be likely to deter parents from sending any of their children to school when a contagious disease existed at home It was resolved to instruct Mr Gumming to exercise great precaution in admitting any children to school who had been sick, or who came from homes where sickness had existed, and not to admit any in cases where contagious disease was known to exist in their homes. The visiting committee were also directed to provide disinfectants for use about the school premises. Eight tenders for Infant school buildings at Lincoln road were opened, and it was decided to recommend to the Minister for Education that Mr J. S. Kimbell’s tender for £2267, being the lowest, should be accepted. The committee then adjourned to Wednesday, the 22ud instant.

The adjourned meeting of committee was held on the 220 d inat. Present—Messrs Tancred (chairman), Bickerton, Nairn, Craig, Harris, Bell and Bowie. An apology for non-attendance was received from Mr Booth. Messrs Bowman and Garrou being a deputation representing the parents of children attending the Normal school, presented a memorial to the committee, signed by the scholars of the first and second classes at the school, and by a large number of their parents, requesting the committee to use their influence to have Mr Blwin appointed to the Normal school when taken over by the Education Department, as he had given great sa isfaction in his teaching to the parents of children attending the school under his charge. The deputation were informed that Mr Elwin had already been recommended by the committee to the Minister for Education, with whom the appointments rested, and they were surprised when they learnt that he had not received an appointment. The memorial would be forwarded to the Minister. The deputation, after thanking the committee, withdrew. The matter of salaries and re-organisa-tion of the teaching staff at the Lincoln road school was then fully considered, and it was resolved to submit the following to the Minister of Education for his approval and sanction. The committee recommend (1) that lodging money be granted to all the teachers entitled to it, viz—head master, £SO ; second master, £■ 5 ; head mistress, £35 ; infant mistress, £3O per annum. (2) That in lieu of Mr Thornton, appointed to Normal school, a third master be advertised for at a salary of £IBO per annum. (3) That two assistant masters be appointed at salaries of £IOO and £BO respectively, instead of fourth master and Miss Mackett removing to Normal school. The secretary was directed to advertise for teachers as above should the reply of the Minister be favorable. The committee then adjourned.