SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 872, 11 April 1877, Page 3

SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

— » HILLSBOROUGH ART) OPAWA. Captain Row presided. The following 'rcntlemen were elected to serve on the committee for the ensuing year: —Messrs. Gundry, Ford, Souter, and Riordan. At a meeting of the committee held subsequently, Captain Row was re-elected chairman. The committee reported: The attendance of children at the school continues to increase; the number on the books for the quarters ending 31st March, 1875, being 90; gist March, 187(1, being 111; and 31st March, 1877, being 131. Tho average daily attendance for the same periods being /b, 91, and 101 respectively. The increased number of children warranting the appointment ol a mistress, application was made to the Minister tor Education at the beginning of the year, which application was acceded to, and Jiliss Georgina Thomson anointed to the poet.

Your committee regretted receiving the resignation of Miss Sandford, the assistant mistress, in October last, Miss Sandford having filled that office for some years to the entire satisfaction of the committee and the master, who wish to record their appreciation of her services. From a number of candidates for the office of assistant mistress, Miss McCormick was elected to fill the vacancy. Mr Hammond, inspector of schools, made two examinations of the school during the past year, the results of which were highly satisfactory. This is mainly due to the praiseworthy exertions and satisfactory teaching of the master, Mr Soutcr, who has spared no pains in endeavoring to bring the school up to a high standard. The accounts show a balance in hand of Til) 8s lid, and there are no outstanding liabilities. LYTTELTON BOROUGH SCHOOL. Mr H. R. Webb occupied the chair. There were only two or three of the general public present. The chairman read the following report: — The committee report that the working of the school during the past twelve months has been very satisfactory, the attendance having materially increased, the number on the books for the past quarter being 628, and the average attendance 41)1, which the committee think will compare very favorably with the average at other schools in the educational district of Canterbury. This high average may be accounted for in some measure through the system of absentee notes, which has been introduced during the past twelve months. The inspector’s reports haveon the whole, been very favorable as regards the general proficiency of the scholars, which speaks well of the efficiency of the teaching staff. The infant school still labors under the disadvantage of being situate at some distance from the main building, as well as being unsuitably furnished for teaching this particular portion of the school. This defect, however, will be shortly remedied, as the committee are glad to be able to report that difficulties that stood in the way of the erection of a proper building at the time of their last annual report, have been overcome, a tender having heen accepted by the Board of Education for the erection of an infant school with proper classrooms, lavatories, &c. attached, at a coat of T 2175. The building, which is now in a forward state (and is expected -will be ready for occupation by next spring) is being erected upon the ground alienated by the Lyttelton Borough Council, and secured for educational purposes by an Act of the General Assembly. When the infant school is complete the services of a properly trained mistress will have to be secured, as recommended by the inspector in his report. It will bo necessary shortly to consider the advisableness of providing a house for the head master contiguous to the school, he having had great difficulty recently in procuring a house within a reasonable distance thereof. In terms of the Education Ordinance, four members of the Committee, viz., Messrs Cunningham, Allwright, Nalder, and Donald retire, but they are eligible for re-election. The report was received and adopted. The financial statement was then read, from which it appeared that the total receipts were £1220 3s 9d ; the expenditure had been £1202 8s 4d, leaving a balance at the Bank of £l7 15s sd. The statement was adopted. Messrs Donald, Allwright, Nalder, and Cunningham were reelected as members of the committee. Dr. Donald spoke in praise of the great progress made during the past year, dilating on tire fact of the large increase in the attendance and the favorable reports from the inspectors. He looked forward to the time when even a higher class of education would be provided. Mr H. R. Webb also commented OP the flourishing state of the school generally, and of the great praise due to the teachers more especially to Mr Edge, whom lie spoke of as a gentleman that any public school might be proud to own as master. At a committee meeting held subsequently Mr 11. R. Webb was re-appointed chairman. UPPER HEATHCOTE. The committee, of whom Sir J. Cracroft Wilson is chairman, reported : During the past year the school has increased in average attendance; the average for the quarter ending December, 187(5, being 97 as compared with 01, the average number in attendance for the corresponding quarter 1875. Miss J. E. Meakes, who holds a Privy Council certificate, was appointed mistress vice Miss Julia Scager, April 10th, 4870, and on 25th April, 1870, Miss Rose Scager was appointed pupil teacher on half salary. The latter being about to leave, her place will be supplied by an assistant mistress, at a salary of £SO per annum, suen appointment having been suggested by the secretary of the Board of Education. The School Inspector, J. P. Rested, Esq., visited and examined the school on September 7th. 1870, and reported that “a great advance had been made on the former proficiency of the school.” It is hoped that when the school staff is further strengthened, as is contemplated, a higher state of efficiency will be attained. On Friday, 2nd March, the children attending the school were entertained at Cashmere, and spent a happy day. Subscriptions for the entertainment were collected from members of the School Committee and the children’s parents and friends, which amounted to Til 2s Od. Of this amount T 8 9s 2d was expended in prizes and refreshments and a balance of T2 13s 4d remains as a nucleus for a fund towards a holiday treat in March, 1878. It will be observed that the late Chairman of the School Committee, Frederick Herbert Wilson, Esq., proceeded to England on the 2nd December, 1876, on board the shipWaitangi, and that Sir Cracroft Wilson, K. on the 15th December, 1876, released Mr Henderson from the temporary chairmanship. The thanks of the committee were unanimously voted by tie committee to Mr F. H. Wilson for his services, and I would suggest , that the the thanks of the householders interested in the school are due to Mr Henderson for officiating as Chairmanjof the School Committtce from November 22nd to December 15th, 1876. The members of the School Committee who retire under clause 22 of the Education Ordinance, 1875, are Messrs Raxworthy, Whiting, Henderson, and Moreland.