SCHOOL COMMITTEES ELECTIONS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1853, 30 January 1880, Page 3

SCHOOL COMMITTEES ELECTIONS.

KAIAPOI. At tho annual meeting of householders, held in the Borough school on Monday evening, there were thirty-seven present. Mr S. Johnston, chairman of the outgoing committee, was voted to the chair. The Secretary read the annual report, which stated that considerable changes had been made in the school during the past year. The present head master, Mr Alexander, had been appointed to take charge of the whole school, in the place of Mr Rayner, who had resigned. The results of the examination by tho Inspector was considered very satisfactory. Tho ventilation so long delayed had been at laßt attended to, with good results. An outlet for the drainage had been provided into the railway drain, and when the necessary pipes were laid, which work was now in hand, would effectually drain the whole premises. The bringing into force of the compulsory clauses of the Act had been attended with satisfactory results, the average attendance being largely increased thereby, viz., an average of 301 ; total on books, 429. A very successful entertainment, given for the purpose of raising a prize fund, resulted in a sum of £22 2s 6i being raised, which Bum had been bo expended, and awarded after a very careful examination by the Reva. D. O. Hampton, J. Armitage, and W. McGregor, to whom the thanks of the householders were due. In order to prevent any grounds for dissatisfaction which might arise at the result of the examination numbers were substituted for the nameß of scholars in the lists supplied to the examiners, and by this means the prize-takers were absolutely unknown to the examiners or to the members of the committee until the night previous to the distribution of prizes. The total receipts for the past year had been £1092 4s lid ; and the expenditure had been in salaries, £922 14s Id ; incidentals, £ll7 17a 4d ; buildings, &c, £32 17a lOd ; total, £lCj73 8a 7d ; leaving a balance of £lB 16s 4d in the hands of the committee, against which there were outstanding accounts amounting to £26 15s Id. During the past year the salaries of the teachers had been rearranged as suggested by the committee, in BUch a manner as to afford satisfaction on the part of the staff. The Chairman explained that the question of the mixing the sexes in the school might be partly considered, and the candidates for office ought to give their opinion thereon. Mr Blackwell said the feeling in the borough was that the school waß making progreis, and the changes recently made were better for the pupils, teachers, and committee, he therefore moved — " That the report and statement be adopted." Mr Pinching seconded, and the motion was agreed to. Mr R. J. Alexander, at the request of the chairman, explained the mede under which the Echool wuuld be conducted as a mixed school, pointing out tho advantage in facilitating the teaching, and allowing the headteachers to better supervise their departments.

Mr Pinching moved, and Mr Powell seconded—" That the meeting proceed to elect a committee." Mr Wilson moved, and Mr Neville seconded—" That if the queation of mixing the sexes is to bo considered, a poll be taken, and the election postponed till after that had been done." The amendment was lost, and the motion unanimously agreed to. Messrs O. C. Howard, E. Parnham, T. Pashby, B. H. Mathews, B. Ooup, J. O. Porter, and E. Revell, were elected members of the committee, four others declining to stand. Meßsrs Howard and Mathews stated that they wished to fully consider the question of a mixed Bchool before deciding. Messrs Pashby, Coup, Porter, and Eovell, would be in favor of keeping the sexes separate, as at present. Mr Parnham was in favor of a mixed school. On the motion of Mr J. Lowthian Wilson, seconded by Mr Isaao Wilson, a vote of thanks was passed to the rev. gentlemen who examined the school in December. At a subsequent meeting of the committee, on the motion of Mr Mathews, seconded by Mr Parnham, Mr Revell was elected chairman, Mr Porter deolining to stand.

RANGIORA. Tho annual meeting of tho Vonsoholders of this district for the election of a committee for the ensuing year was held on Monday evening. There was a very Bmall atlendance. Mr E. R. Good was voted to the chair, and called upon the chairman of the committee to read the report of last year's proceedings. Mr A. H. Cunningham (ihe chairman of committee) then gave a resume of what had been done during the year. He said that the committee had held thirteen meetings since last election, and that the wo.k bad been carried on with the utmost unanimity. The buildings and premises were in good order, but increased accommodation waß urgently required. At the time the schools were erected it was thought by some that they were too large, but the number of children attending had so increased that, in accordance with the inspector's recommendation, the committee had applied to tho Board for permission to enlarge tho school. They had urged upon tho Board tho necessity for tho immediate erection of a class room, and also for a wash houso in connection with the master's house. The attendance had been good throughout the year, and the numbers on the books were 363, and the average attendance for last quurter 272. The teaching staff consisted of head mastor, two femala and tbree male assistants. lufant school, mistress and one assistant. The accoui.ts, showing a balance in hand to the incidental fund of £ls ss, were then read, the expenditure being—salaries, £728 18s 5d ; incidental, £lO4 14* 3d ; buildings, £2B 2s ; balance, £ls 5s ; total, £876 19i Bd. The Chairman drew attention to the very satisfactory report that the inspector had given of the school, which showed that every echolar hud pissed in the standard in which he or she had been presented. The numbers in each sttmdard were-sixth, 1; fifth, 6 ; fourth, 9 j third, 40 ; second, 69 ; first, 94 ; total 219 ; infants, 103. The committee had adopted the compulsory clauses of the Act. Mr R Aherne moied—"That a very cordial vote of thanks be accorded to the chairman of the committee for his labors during the past year." Mr Best Beconded the motion, which was carried. A vote of thanks was also passed to the committee for their work during the past year. Tho Yen. Archdeacon Dudley moved that last year's committoo be re-elected. He thought that as they had done their work bo well during tho past, year, the householders could not do better than re elect them. The Rev. D. Dolamore seconded the motion, which was carried unanimoEsly. The following are the gentlemen elected : Mefsra Cunningham, Stephens, Ellis, Best, At erne, Keir and T. Boyd. A vote of thaukß to the returning officer terminated the proceedings. Tr>e committee then met and re-elected Mr A. H. Cunningham chairman for tho ensuing year.