The Reporter.

Kaikoura Star, Volume XIV, Issue 753, 6 July 1894, Page 3

The Reporter.

o Town School.

Monthly meeting’ of Committee last evening. Present : Mr Flower (Chairman), Dr Gunn, Messrs Boyens, Hitchcock, Maxton, Mclnnes, Renner.

Circulars re Arbor Day were received. It was agreed that the pupils should have a holiday on that day. Letter from Board stated that the School was, under the new arrangement, overstaffed, and it was therefore proposed to remove Miss Rowley (Assistant Mistress) bv giving her three months notice of the termination of her engagement, respecting which the Board desired to consult the Committee, in accordance with sec. 45 of Education Act.

The Chairman expressed regret that the School was shortly, through the reductions made by the Board, to suffer the loss of Miss Rowley’s services. She was a great favourite with the children, and did excellent work. If possible the Committee would, he felt satisfied, be pleased could her services be retained and one of the pupil teachers dispensed with—instead of having two pupil teachers and no Assistant Mistress. From her experience, and length of service, she was, naturally, better fitted to impart instruction to pupils than were pupil teachers. But as the two pupil teachers engaged in the school were under engagement to the Board and the Board with the teachers the latter must remain.

Mr Hitchcock said from his own knowledge, and also from what he had heard, parents were thoroughly well satisfied with Mies Rowley as a teacher. Other members expressed regret at the approaching departure of the young lady, and also affirmed their agreement with the Chairman in his remarks about Miss Rowley’s worth as a teacher. It was agreed that she be given a testimonial to that effect.

Circular was also read showing altered arrangement regarding staffs and rates of payment, to come into operation on Ist October.

By this it was seen that the master’s salary would be reduced by £5 to £6 a year, but would be increased from £2OO 18s (per annum) by 8s per head for every child over 131 increasing the average attendance. On the other hand the salary of the Mistress will be increased by £7 per annum. Circular from Secretary of Conference of School Committee delegates to consider recent action of Education Board was read.

The Education Board advised grant of £5 for repairs to roof of old portion of school buildings.

Letter from Mr Sandford showed that work could not now be done for the amount; £l3 would be required to effect repairs in one way, £2l in another, and better, way. It transpired that £5 was the sum asked for about 4 years ago, that neglect of the adage ‘ a stitch in time saves nine ’ had occasioned further decay adding about 100 per cent to the cost of repairing. The shingles had been on for from 17 to 20 vears.

As the Committee cannot, without trenching very much on the Incidental Fund spare £8 to supplement the grant of £5, it was decided to make further application to the Board. Circular re extraordinary vacancy on the Board—occasioned by the death of the late Mr T. H. Anson—was read.

It was agreed to await result of nominations South.

The Master’s report for past month showed as follows ;

Boys Girls Total On Roll 85 74 159 Average attendance 71 62’8 133-8 Percentage of attendance 84 Highest attendance 140 (Not quite equal to previous month.) Mrs Tremble finding, a fortnight since, that, through ill health, she was unable to carry on the duties she had engaged to perform notified the Chairman to that effect, and he had arranged for temporary performance of the service. Tenders were then opened, as

follows : W. Gilling removal of night soil 5s per week ; E. Turner cleaning school and removal of night soil £27 6s a year.—The latter was accepted.

Fuel : J. Mclnnes, wood, 18 inch lengths, 28s per cord, coal 45s a ton (accepted); E. O. Palmer 30s and 50s.

Mr Renner brought up the question of giving the children prizes, urging that the children should be given some encouragement as incentive to attendance.

After the matter had been well considered, it was agreed to give prizes to the best attendants between nowand the next annual examination. Shortly, it means that within the Town area the boy and girl in each class making the best attendance (over a possible 95 per per cent) will be rewarded ; those in the next radius (outside the Town proper) like reward on a smaller possible percentage. For those still further afield one prize only will be given in each class, there being very few pupils within the more extended area.

Accounts were passed and the Committee adjourned.