SCHOOL ELECTIONS.

Kaikoura Star, Volume XIV, Issue 732, 24 April 1894, Page 3

SCHOOL ELECTIONS.

TOWN. The attendance of householders last evening was the smallest on record—within our knowledge—and the proceedings very tame. A quarter of an hour after the advertised time of commencing the public meeting there were not six householders in attendance, eventually the number was increased to fourteen. Mr Flower was voted to the chair, and, having' explained the object of the meeting, read the retiring Committee’s report for the year ended Marth 31st, as follows : Our staff remains the same as at the close of the last school year. The attendance, however, owing to the prevalence of sickness, and, also, owing partly to the removal of children from school through change of residence of parents, has been considerably reduced. The attendance has been for quarters: Ending June, 1893, 155, out of roll, 181 „ Sept. „ 124, „ 171 „ Dec. „ 135, „ 170 „ March, 1894 137, „ 159 Unless there is soon a larger number attending school we may expect the Board will reduce our staff, as numbers will not, according to the regulations, justify its continuance on its present basis : 151 being the minimum average which we ought to reach. (Memo from Head Teacher shows 27 children have left school district daring year.) Mr Wood inspected the school on the 29th and 30th March. The official report is not to band but he (the Inspector) expressed, himself satisfied with the results of the inspection and with the state of the school. It appears there were only 10 failures out of 111 presented in standards. Eleven meetings of Committee should have been held, but two lapsed for want quorum. Mr Locbbead’s removal from the district prevents his being a candidate for election at this meeting, and the Committee desire to place on record their appreciation of his long continued services as a member. There has been expended during the year over £lB in repairs to School buildings and grounds. The accounts of the Committee for the 12 months ending 31st March, 1894, have been forwarded to the Board for audit, and are now returned certified to by the auditor as having been duly audited and found correct. They show : Receipts for salaries £464 13s 8d ; for incidentals (including last year’s balance) £69 9s 3d. Expended : Salaries £464 13s 8d ; Incidentals £55 10s 2d. Balance in hand £l3 19s Id. To this has to be added, received for March quarter, £l2 : 14: 4d, and there has been expended £8:4: 10, leaving balance for incoming Committee of £lB : 8: 7d. In conclusion your Committee desire to express their satisfaction with the way in which the staff have performed their duties, and at the gratifying results of the year's work. No questions being asked, or remarks made, the report was adopted on the motion of Mr Sandford seconded by Dr Gunn. Messrs Boyens and Flower, Dr Gunn Messrs Hitchcock, Maxton, Mclnnes and Renner were elected, unopposed, the Committee for the ensuing year. Mr Maxton accepted nomination simply to complete the Committee, Messrs Cooper, Sandford, Robertshaw, Jones, G. Miles, Jackson and J. W. Davidson having declined nomination. Mr Maxton said he considered it desirable that Committeemen should have children attending the school. He thought that lack of interest displayed by householders, by their nonattendance, was evidence of their satisfaction with the work done in the school. The Chairman having declared the seven above named duly elected, Mr Robertshaw moved, and Mr Sandford seconded, a vote of thanks to the outgoing Committee. Mr Flower, in acknowledgingt he compliment, said the Committee bad worked together very harmoniously during the past year, members having striven to do their best in the interests of the School. One matter causing a

little friction had occurred during the year, but it had been satisfactorily disposed of. The meeting then closed.

The Committee then met, and unanimously re-elected Mr Flower to the office of Chairman.

SUBURBAN. The Committee elected by Suburban householders is as follows : Messrs H. J. Barratt, Jas. Boyd, H. Chisnall, W. Chisnail, J. Paap, E. O. Palmer and G. Taylor. Mr Taylor reelected Chairman. There was a small attendance ; further particulars will be given in next issue.