School Committee.

Huntly Press and District Gazette, Volume 3, 9 October 1914, Page 2

School Committee.

The usual monthly meeting was held on the evening of the evening of the 30th ult., when there were present—Mrs J. Elliot, Messrs J. Elliot (chairman) Geo. T. Horwood, G. Shaw and C. Starr. The minutes of the previous meeting and the outward correspondence were approved as read. Before commencing business the chairman alluded to the sad disaster that had plunged so many householders into mourning, and had thus affected many pupils in the school. He moved that the committee express its sincere condolence and sympathy with the relatives and families of those who had suffered from the result of the appalling catastrophe. Seconded by Mr Horwood, the motion was unanimously carried, all showing the acquiescence by standing in silence. Mr F. W. Garland, the acting head-leacher, called attention to the necessity for repairs and suggested that, owing to numerous occasions on which the school had been closed recently, the Michaelmas holidays should he taken in conjunction with the Christmas vacation. The committee being in doubt as to its power to give effect to the suggestion decided to ask the Board whether such holidays should be taken ( i) on the week commanding October 12th, or (b) at Christmas time. The chairman stated that he had forwarded to the Board of Education on July 30th, the recommendation of the Committee in favour of the installation of a septic tank, and the necessity for a grant for repairs that were urgently required. A reply dated 11th August had been received to the effect that the matter had been referred to the architect. Nothing further having been done, the chairman was asked to call the attention of the Board again to the matter. The secretary of the Board forwarded the following lettai—- “ Tlie Board at its meeting received with profound sorrow the news of the disaster at Huntly which resulted in the death of a large number of miners. I am directed to convey to your committee this expression of the Board’s very deep sympathy with those who have suffered bereavement through the disaster.” The committee decided to convey its thanks for the kindly expros ion of sympathy contained in Lie Board’s letter. On the motion of Mr Starr, seconded by Mrs Elliot, Mr H. R. Porter, who with Mr E. W. Ruston came nearest to the successful candidates at the recent election, m as- unanimously elected to fill the vacancy on the committee caused by the departure of Mr T. Black. The committee, on the motion of the. chairman, seconded byMr Horwood, decided to place on record its high appreciation of the services of Mr Black while acting as a member of the committee.