LOCAL SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Kumara Times, Issue 1743, 2 May 1882, Page 2

LOCAL SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

A meeting of the Local School Committee was held last evening in the Town Hall ■ present —Messrs Seddon (chair), Campb 11, Barrowman, Stanton, Cain, and Yoysey. The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed. The inward and outward correspondence was read and received. The Chairman stated that the attendance at the School had increased daring the last month, and if the average remained the same daring the quarter they would be entitled to an assistant and also a pupil teacher. The portion of the Inspector’s confidential r port relating to the Kumara school was received and laid on the table. The report from the visiting Committee was read as follows : We have the honor to report that on Monday last we Visited the Kumara School and found the - work going on very satisfactory. On examination of the sewing classes we found the children, especially in the advanced classes, wasting their time in sewing bits of rags, or as it was termed doing sample work. We considered that to make some sort of garment would be more in accordance with the wishes of the parents, and therefore recommended accordingly. The question of increasing the time for sewing was also diecussed with the head teacher” but he asserts that unless some of the advanced subjects are dropped this cannot be done. We also brought the question of home work under his notice, some parents having in a certain degi’ee complained that their children were asked to do too much at home. The Master’s explanation on this point we thought fair and reasonable, and was as follows :—l. That generally the school was behind ; this would be found on perusing the annual report ; 2. That the lessons were not severe, and were always explained on the blackboard before being given as home lessons ; 3. That on making monthly preliminary examinations he found that the children in several of the standards were very much behind, but that so soon as he found the children sufficiently forward he would ease off the work accordingly. Under these circumstances we are of the opinion that the Head Teacher should he the best judge, and that it was the wish of all parents to see their children progress and hold their own as compared with schools in other places, we have no recommendation to make. R. J. Seddon. G. Yoysey. The Chairman stated that in regard to the portion of tlie report regarding sewing, the committee thought that if the children practised sewing in making up useful garments it would be better in every respect.

It was then, moved that the report be received and adopted—Carried. TheChiinnan stated that the Central Board had sent up a painter from Greymonth to paint a blackboard for the use of the Westbrook School, but unfortunately they forgot to send a carpenter, to make the board, so that when the painter arrived there was nothing for him to do. He moved that the Central Board authorise the procuring of a board for the use of the Westbrook School, and also that the local committee be instituted to get it painted. He thought they could find talent enough, in the district to get the board painted without having a man sent up to do it. Mr Stanton secanded the motion.— Carried. The following circular was then read from the Central Board : Greymouth, April 20, 1882. Sib, —I have the honour, by direction, to request that your committee will undertake to furnish the Board with a report of duties performed by teachers in your district during the past year, and to make recommendations for curtailing the Boards expenditure with as little sacrifice of efficiency as possible. I have the honor to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, E. T. Robinson, Secretary. The Chairman could hardly understand what was meant by the circular.' The teachers were all performing their duties satisfactori : y and as to reducing the Board’s expenditure why that could easily he done in cur ailing the travelling expenses of the Board. At present these expenses amounted to £3OO a year. Mr Bairowmnn was of a similar opinion to the Chairman. In fact he could n t tell what the circular meant The Chai man moved : That in answer to the above circular, the Westland Board be informed—l. This Committee inform them that the duties performed by the teachers are those prescribed by the Board’s regulations, and consists principally of teaching the pupils attending the schools. That as regards the second part of the circular as to curtailing the expenditure of the Board, tins Committee are of the opinion that the travelling expenses of members of the Board are too much by half ; 2. That the administrative cost of the Board as regards secretary, inspector, and clerical assistance, is also excessive ; 3. That if the book depot were abolished, and the Board ceased being traders of an article which was nearly akin to the truck system, this Committee are of opinion that the positions of Inspector and Secretary could be performed by one person, and at a much less cost than at present. With regard to the travelling expenses he might mention that each time Mr Grimmond came up from Ross to attend the meetings of the Board it was at a cost of £5 ss. He was also of opinion that the work of inspector and secretary could be as well done by one man as by two, if the book depot was abolished. When Mr Smith was first appointed he did the whole of the duties of the office, and did them well to do. Since then another appointment had been made and the salaries had also been increased, Mr S anton seconded the motion. He knew as a fact that when Mr Smith came over as inspector it was on a salary of £350 per annum and he did the duty of insp ctor and secretary. The Chairman was certain that if the book depot was abolished, one man could do all the work. It was said that the book depot was a source of profit but he differed. The motion was carried. A circular was re-ul from the Central Board stating that the usual allowance would be made to the Kumara Committee, and also to the schools under the 88 th clau.se. The Chairman moved that the whole of the amount voted for schools under the 88th clause be handed over to the teachevs on the condition that, they kept the schools clean and provided firing. The Secretary reminded the Committee that it Was in debt to the amount of £23 already. The resolution was carried. A circular from the Central Board was read, stating that the sum of £lO claimed for the Rangariri School would not be allowed. The Secretary whs instructed to write to the Board stating that the Committee claimed the sum as an asset, and also to inform the Board that the liabities could not be liquidated without money. The Chairman and Mr Stanton reported visiting the Westbrook School and found it clean and in good order. The Ch-i'rman drew attention to several dangerous holes in the play ground at the Kumara School. He moved that the Central Board be asked for the sum of £5 in order to fill up the holes. Several other members having borne testimony to the dangerous nature of the holes, the motion was carried.

The Chairman drew attention to the insufficiency of the sum granted forkeeping clean, providing t firing, &c.j for the Kuinara School. It was only £3O out of which £25 went to the caretaker. There were five rooms to keep clean, and five fires to light and to be supplied with fuel. Did the Board expect the members of committee to turii to and cut up firewood for the use of the school. £5 was insufficient for the purpose. They were entitled td the sum of £l6O pet anhura. It no use complaining tb the Central Board. He would therefore move that the Secretary be instructed to write to the Secretary of the Board of Educa* tion in Wellington complaining of the , smallness of the atriount voted by the Westland Central Board. Mr Stanton seconded the motion.— Carried. The Chairnian r having applied fot leave of absence for three months ixi order to attend to his duties as M.H.R. for the district,- the meeting adjduriiedi