LOCAL BOARD OF EDUCATION.

Kumara Times, Issue 1673, 8 February 1882, Page 2

LOCAL BOARD OF EDUCATION.

A meeting of the newly-formed Committee edmprisitig the Local Board of Education met oil Mcndky IRst; being the first Monday in the itioritH. There were present Messrs R. j. Seddon (chairman); Cain, Campbell, DavieS, Barrow man, Yoyby; and Stanton. J. he minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed; A number bf letters were read and received ; also a map of the new educai tiorial district of Eumara, forwarded by the Central Board; Ari application from H; A. Stratford; Esq., Returning Officer for the use of the Westbrook school-house as a poll-ing-place for the Greymouth electoral district was granted; It was resolved that the application of Mis Pascoe for the appointment of teacher to the Rangiriri School be recommended td the Central Board. The following report from the headmaster Eumara State School whs read and received as follows : To R. J; Seddon, Esq., Chairman of the Local School Committee; Sh*—l have the honor td submit my report for the past month. The number of children on the registers is—Boys 171, girls 172—total 343. The' average attendance is—Boys 126-4, girls 119 6 total 246. The number newly admitted—Boys 3, girls, 9—total 12. Prior to my arrival the attendance of all under five years of age were included iii the returns; This was a direct violation of an important regulation emanating froni the Education Department, Wellington; As there were about thirty children under the prescribed age attending the school,’ their numbers made a? considerable difference in the average; which necessarily fell as soon as their Dairies were struck off the rolls. I would strongly recommend the Committee to use the power which the Compulsory clauses of the Education Act place in their hands. The average (upon which an important part of a teacher’s salary depends) is reduced,- progress impeded; and the work of a teacher very much embarrassed by those who are irregular in their attendance. ° The lavatories are only lavatories by name. Washing basins and towels must be supplied, and the taps repaired before they can be used by the children; Appended to this report ate the results of the November examination, together with a list of those who gained the highest number of marks. ° I have, &c , James Woodward; Eumara, February 6, 1882. The voting for candidates for the Central Board of Education was deferred till the last Monday in the month. It was resolved that the resignation of Mrs Horneman be sent to the Board; and that Mrs Williams he refioiri mended foi promotion as first female teacher ini the Eumara State School. It was resolved that the Central Board be asked to provide funds for the erection of a fence to divide the boys’ and girls playground at the Eumara State School. Also, to paint the Mhim ara, Westbrook, Greenstone, and Rangiiiri Schools and teachers’ residences. The basins and taps in the lavatories’ in the State School were ordered to be repaired, and towelling procured, at; a cost not to exceed 30s. It was resolved to ask the Sergeant of Police to enforce the compulsory clauses of the Education Act in cases where parents do not send their children to any school. 'lhe Secretary was instructed to ask the Board to supply copies of the Edit, cation Act for the use of the members of Committee ; also to supply Mr Rudkin, a member of the Central Board, with a list of articles required by the Local Committee. A sub-committee, consisting of Messrs Barrowman, Cain, Stanton, Yoysey, and the Chairman were appointed tb select books for prizes, at a cost not to exceed £2O; and that such committed deal with the whole matter of prize distribution, and that the distribution fake place in the Theatre Royal iir the last week of February. This concluded the business of the' meeting.