SCHOOL COMMITTEE ELECTIONS.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1219, 30 January 1878, Page 3

SCHOOL COMMITTEE ELECTIONS.

LYTTELTON.

The annual meeting of householders was held on Monday evening at the borough school, Lyttelton. There was a very poor attendance. Mr H. R. Webb was unanimously elected to the chair, and read a portion of the Act bearing on the meeting, and then read tho report of the outgoing committee, as follows : The committee have, again to report that satisfactory i regress has been made in the schools, as instanced by the Inspector’s report, and also by the fact that two valuable scholarships were obtai ed by pupils attending the borough schools, and this after close competition with scholars from all the principal schools in the district. The number of scholars on the register for the past quarter was 043, and tho average of attendance during the same period amounted to 489, and the average for the twelve months ending 31st December, 1877, to 477. The total attendance during tho year was 752. The committee regret that owing to the great delay on the part of tho contractor for the building, they are unable to report the opening of the new infant schools, but tru.-.t that in the course of a fortnight the building will be available for use. On this account the committee have deemed it advisable to postpone the reopening of the whole school until I ebruary 4th, by which date it is anticipated the new building will be ready for occupation. It will be necessary in connection with the infant school that a properly trained mistress should be obtained as soon as possible; thi < matter will, no doubt, receive prompt attention at tho bands of the incoming committee. I our committee regret that their endeavours to procure a suitable j-e.-ideuco for the head-master have not been successful, owing to the Board of Education not being in a position to grant the necessary funds. _ The committee desire to record their thanks to the Government for placing the services of the hard labor gang at the disposal of the committee for the purpose of carrying out several very necessary works in connection with tho new infant school. In terms of the new Education Act the committee will in future consist of seven members instead of eight as heretofore. it gives the committee great pleasure to record their best thanks to the Borough Council for their liberality in supporting the prize funds, also to numerous private friends for their valuable and welcome assistance (in the same cause. Tbe committee have ranch pleasure in bearing testimony to the very efficient manner in which the head master and assistants have carried on the work of the school since their last report. H. R. Webb, Chairman. The accounts, duly audited by Mr J. C. Boddington, were laid on the table, from which it appeared that the total receipts for the year had been £1714 Is lid, and the expenditure £1683 9a 6d, leaving credit balance of £3O 12s sd. The report and balance sheet were received and adopted. The meeting then proceeded to ballot for a committee for the present year. The following gentlemen wore elected : —Messrs R. Wood, P. Cunningham, H. R. Webb, S. R. Webb, W. Donald, H. Allwright, and J. T. Rouse. At a committee meeting held after the general meeting Mr H. R. Webb was unanimously re-elected chairman. KAIAPOI. A final meeting of the out going committee was held on Monday evening. Present — Messrs Beharrell, Johnston, Pashby, Wilson, and Paruham (chairman). When the minutes were confirmed, the chairman drew attention to the fact that tho resolution asking the Board to dismiss tho master could only have been passed on motion, after notice of tho same had been given in writing three days previously to all members of the committee. -Accounts, £2 3s Gd, were passed.—The annual report, on the motion of Mr Wilson, seconded by Mr Johnston, was adopted.—On tho motion of Mr Wilson, seconded by Mr Beharrell, a unanimous vote of thanks was passed to Mr Parnham as chairman, each member endorsing the same. At the annual meeting, there was a large attendance of householders. Dr. Dudley was voted to tho chair. Tho Chairman had great pleasure in taking the chair. Ho was always glad to do anything to forward the interests of tho school. He explained the provisions of tho Act, and called for the report to he read, and stated the order of business. Mr J. Lowthian Wilson read the following report: — The proceedings of your committee having of late been fully reported in the public prints, it will not be necessary to refer to the matters dedfc with hi exlenso. Although, of course, divided at times on some questions, the members of your committee have worked together heartily, with the sincere object of promoting tho success of the school. During the year the attendance of scholars has been maintained in a satisfactory manner, and such as warrants the employment of the present staff of teachers. After the July inspection, the Board of Education’s Inspector reported the number of scholars present at the inspection was “much greater than ordinary,” but the average attendance was not so satisfactory. He reported the numbers on roll to bo 400. Speaking of organisation and efficiency, be said — “ Tbe school is conducted in three separate and independent departments. The head-master, trained, experienced, and holding a high certificate, has no responsibility for the effi ient working of the girls’ and infants’ departments ; but, assisted by an undevmaster, certificated, and two pupil teachers, his duties are limited to the charge of from 73 to _BS boys of the ordinary classification. There is no scope here for a master of this class, no demand for a higher class education. The cost of this small boys’ school alone, £7 per head, is amply adequate to the more efficient conduct of the education of the district. A mistress of high attainments, but not physically adapted to subordinate tbe girls’ school, has, with an assistant and pupil teachers, the charge of about 75 girls in ordinary attendance, but exercises no control over the infants’ department, although her pupil teachers in turns practice teaching there. The infants’ school is in tho care of a willing mistress, but one having no special qualification for her work. Efficiency—Owing to too much sub-division, and the waste of teaching power the results are not at all commensurate with the cumbrous and costly staff employed. Two or more teachers are doing less efficiently what one could do well. With the report the Board addressed us a special letter written by the secretary —T am instructed to say that the Board wishes the master to have the control, and to be responsible for the organisation of tbe whole school.’ At a mooting convened to consider the report and this letter, it was determined to place the school under the charge of the head-master, a plan of management which hitherto, in consequence of the opposition of the female teacher has not however succeeded. Your committee reported that the differences between the mistress and master in consequence of her offering resistance to his authority, compelled them without one dissentient to inform her that her resignation would be accepted. Failing to mend matters, as a last resource the Board was asked to sanction fy.er dismissal, and since a lady presenting excellent testimonials has been appointed, subject to the sanction of the Bqard. At the last meeting of your committee jt was also resolved to ask the Board to dispense with the services of the headmaster, in consequence of his persistent refusal to apologise for having treated a sub-committee and the committee with disrespect, and making statements respecting them which were groundless. The expenditure for the year was—Masters’ salary. £(J2B 10s : mistresses’ salaries, £15913s id; clerks’ salaries, £11; stationery, postage, &c., £l4 8s Id ; repairs. Ac., £25103 3d: fuel, cleaning, and care-t flier, .£‘1.09 5s 3d; prizes, at; 11s Gd ; sundries, £l4 10s 5d ; total, £1279 17s lOd. Mr J. W. Ellen moved—“ That the report ho adopted,” He was sorry to see there had been serious disaffection in the school. Mr B. Revolt seconded the motion, and considered I lie firmness of the committee in dealing with matters entitled them to the thanks of the householders. He was sorry to hear that the committee intended to resign in a body. The services of some of them would he very acceptable to the new committee. Mr 8. Johnston corrected the impression that the whole of the members of the ord committee intended to resign. The motion for adoption of the report and balance-sheet was carried. A dipeucsion (aoi, place in reference to the mode of conducting the election. Mr Ellen moved —“That all persons willing to become o nndidates have their names placed upon tbe \ blackboard,”

Mr E. McKenna, Y.C., seconded tire motion, which was carried, Tho candidates nominated, and the numbers attached to each, were—O. Whitefoord, 62 ;8. Johnston, 60; T. Pashby, 60; E. McKenna, 56 ; R. Coup, 50; R. S. Bean, 49; E. Revell, 49; C. Young, 48; R. 11. Mathews, 44 ; J. W. Ellen, 43 ; J. G. Kidd, 41; J. D. Blackmore, 38 ; B. Monk, 32 ; Dr. Ovcndon, 29; R. Macfarlane, 23 j J. Dawson, 23 j and W. Eckersley, 8, The Chairman having announced the result of the voting, declared Messrs Whitefoord, Johnston, Pashby, McKenna, Coup, Beau, and Revell elected. There were 108 persons voted during the election. Mr Whitefoord said it was not an honor he had sought, and ho felt very much flattered with the result. He was also glad to see some of the members of the old committee elected. Mr Johnston, in replying, hoped tho unity of tho former committee would be carried out by the new committee in promoting the success of the school. Mr E, Revell, in returning thanks, moved a vote of thanks to the outgoing committee. _Mr McKenna replied, stating he should do his duty fairly and evenly, having a great interest in the school, and seconded Mr Revell’s motion. At a meeting of the committee, subsequently held, Mr Johnston was elected chairman.