School Committees.

Huntly Press and District Gazette, Volume 3, Issue 6, 8 May 1914, Page 3

School Committees.

ANNUAL MEETING OF HOUSEHOLDERS. NO COMMITTEE ELECTED. Contrary to custom the annual meeting of householders held in the District School on Monday night was very poorly attended, there bei-ag only eleven present, these comprising two ladies and nine men, one being the caretaker, and the other, a gentleman who arrived after the business had almost been completed. - On the motion of Mr A. Geary seconded by Mr C. Starr, Mr Jas. Elliot was appointed chairman. The chairman regretted the poor attendance, and asked those present whether they wished to go on with the business, or, as an alternative, by allowing the meeting to lapse, ask the Board of Education to summon another meeting for a later date. Mr Geary expressed astonishment at the meagre attendance; and drew a trenchant comparison between the present and the formermeetings. By remainingat home parents, he continued, were not doing their duty, and it was evident that interest in the school and the pupils had not attracted the large attendance at previous meetings of the kind. Unless spite or vested interests actuated householders, it seemed impossible to get an attendance. He thought the meeting, which had been duly advertised, should proceed. As that was the feeling of those present, the annual Report and Balance Sheet, as already published in extenso, were presented by the secretary. In moving their adoption the chairman stated that it was his intension, had the meeting been a representative one, to move that the matter of capitation grants should be fixed by the Minister instead of by the Boards of Education. As the balance sheet showed, the committee, like the great majority of school committees in the Dominion, were unable to meet their liabilities with the income at their disposal, and, without any credit balance to carry forward, the financial outlook was anything but bright. With the meagre number present it seemed futile to advocate reforms, and until parents tcok their civic duties more seriously they might lcok in vain for an improved state of affairs. Another matter of first class importance was the urgent necessity for a larger playgrouno. It was generally conceded that physical and mental culture should be co-ordinated —an impossibility in the public school with the congested playing space available. Of those present that evening six, or seven at most, had children attending the school, and it appeared absurd to submit to-so small a number proposals that would affect the whole community. The late committee had done its duty to the best of its ability, and the small number present was either the result of apathy, as Mr Geary remarked, or a vote of confidence in the members who, had they failed in their duly, would most likely have been taken to task to-night by indignant householders. Whether the compliment was meant or not, the ' attendance was not sufficient!y good to dispose men to give their tune and ability to public work. The late committee had been a happy and united family and had given due attention to all business that came before it for discussion, the efficiency and assiduity of the secretary (Mr E. A. Jones) greatly contributing to the harmony and despatch - that had characterised the meetings. He formally moved the adoption of the Report and Balance Sheet. The motion, as seconded by M r Starr, was put to the meeting and carried unanimously. Mr Geary again lamented the lack of interest displayed by parents. Of those present he understood three, who were members of the old committee, id refused to submit themselves r re-election, while another was not eligible, so that, if the remainder, including the two ladies, stood for office, the meeting could not elect a full committee From all appearances, the householders did uot cave whethei there was a committee 'or not, and it might be well to lei them see how the business coulc be done by a commissioner wlic would have all the power possessed by a committee. He with the i others had been elected last yea by a large body of householders and he thought that the leas these electors could have done was to attend the annual meet ing, and show their approval o disapproval of the actions o these whom they had elected t< the committee. They had not dun so, and, therefore, he moved—- “ That owing to the apathy o the householders, the Board o Education be requested to appoin a commissioner to look after th< interests of the school for tli ensuing year, as the attendant at the annual meeting was no sufficiently large to select a fill committee from.” Mr Jones, in seconding th motion, agreed with Mr Gears and hoped the Board wotil understand that men were inwilling t:- perform duties the were stultified on account of ii adequate capitation grants. The motion was carried on th voices. As no other business wa btought forwar 1 the chairman dc dared the meeting closed. KG ’* The following ofe members of the Kimihiai Be

Committee at the meeting helc on Monday night:- Messrs J Holland (chairman), R. Perry (secretary), D. Conn, J. Inglis A. Jenkins, D. Cleghorn, R. Boyd OHINEWAI. At the annual meeting ol householders the following were elected as a school committee foi the ensuing year :- Messrs E Foster (chairman), G. Fergy (secretary), P. Henry, C. Hill F. W. Parker, H. Welch and T. Neil. The attendance was poor, some ten householders being present.