SCHOOL COMMITTEE ELECTION

Matamata Record, Volume III, Issue 130, 1 May 1919, Page 3

SCHOOL COMMITTEE ELECTION

Annual Meetings. MATAMATA More interest th in usual seems to have.boon centred in tlie local committee election. About filty householders were present at eight o’clock, when Mr J. Pohlen was elected to the chair. The attendance the previous year was thirty-one. The minutes of tho previous annual meeting road hy the secretary Mr S. Gunn, wore confirmed. BALANCE SHEET. Tho receipts for the year ns shown by the balance sheet was £ll6 15s 2d, and expenditure £9B 2s 2d, leaving a credit balance of £lB 3s. Included in the items of expenditure was £27 5s on a saddle shed (£3), and improvements to the school, ground.

The report presented by the chairman, Mr Pohlen was read. It stated th it the number of boys and girls on the roll in April 1918, was 229, while at'present it was 264, an increase of 35. Muon needod additions to the school have been carried out during Ihe year, and with the increasing attendance the accomod ition is again taxed to its fullest capacity. Considerable improvements to tho school grounds have been carried by the voluntary labour of in a.nbers of the committee. On the recommendation of tho agricultural instructor a larger and more suitable plot of ground was fenced and cultivated for agricultural and experimental work. The work of the teaching staff was considerably hampered during the year by building operations and later by tho influenza epidemic, which necessitated closing for several weeks. Mr H. J. Moore-Jones, headmaster resumed duties on Felmary 3rd, after an absence of over three years on active service. The outgoing committee recommends that a tennis lawn be prepared during the coming year for use of the children. A suitable piece of ground has been located for that purpose. A small credit balance is in the bank on account •of the picnic fund, and the secretary is holding war bonds to a special prize account to the value of about £5. Both these amounts will be handed over to the new committee. INSPECTOR’S REPORT. In the inspector’s annual report'jhe stated: “The classificafication of the pupils of this school is distinctly bad, and Mr Carnachan’s lot since he took charge cannot have been a very pleasant one. Before any good work can be expected the whole of the school must be carefully re classified and many of the pupils will havejto remain another year in tho same standard. The headmaster has entered into his work with a fine spirit and great enthusiasm. Pie brings with him an excellent record, and good experience and improved results may be ftoked for in the near future. At present all that can be said is that with partial realisation there is ample evidence of great improvement.” ELECTION OF COMMITTEE. Eleven householders were nominated for the committee. Tho voting was as follows: —• W. Egan 40, J. Pohlen 35, G. J. Duxfiold 31, S. Salisbury 30, J. Draper 29, Rev. Jackson 28, E. Lark 26; unsuccessful, E. Edwards, W. Ruthe, J. Kennedy, A. G. Yardley. When ihe result was announced a question was raised as to the legality ot tho election it being stated that both husband and wife could not vote. The chairman or the meeting, at the outset did not seem clear on the point. A long discussion followed many contending that another election should be held, votes only to be recorded by the head ot the household. Mr J. Clothier proposed that another ballot be taken. This was seconded but was not put to the meeting for some time the chairman stating that tho matter was one to submit to the Education board. Ultimately an amendment, on the lines of the chairman's remarks, was proposed and carried on a show of hands by 23 to 22. By the time the ballot was completed the school room was crowded. No subsequent committee meeting was held.

TE TOI Messrs A. H. Simpson (chairman), A. IM. A. Wright (secrorary), P. Barnett, C. A. Stopford, J. Priestley. TAIHOA Messrs M. Madill (chairman), M. Gould (secretary), J. E. West, T. S. Gray, G. Mason. OKOROIRE No meeting. WALTON Messrs Lawson (chairman), 0. Trapski (secretary), W. Aston, A. E. Gillingham, A. Adams.

WAHAROA Messrs W. McGill (chairman), T. S. Whitworth (secretary), J. C. Smith, L. Whittington, H. Lewis. PUT A RAJ RU Messrs S. McGowan (chairman), A. R. Vosper, F. C. Barnett, W. Rogers, P. Harvey (secretary). TIRAU Messrs W. PI. Allen (chairman), C. Snell (secretary), Barnford, T. Marshall, E. W. Jordan. P ERI A Messrs H. Roliott, 0. D. Rollett, W. Crabb, S. Neemes. 1-lIN UERA. D. Eddy (chairman), IP. C. Pond, S. J. Harding, Goo. Gander, F. German.