SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3774, 17 September 1907, Page 2

SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

The monthly meeting of the above was held at Mr 'Frank land's residence last evening. Present: Messrs L,. W. Wilson (Chairman) P. Hennessy, G. Coley, S. Baker, Henderson, Eevett, Perreau and "the Secretary (Mr F. W., Frankland).

The minutes of the last ordinary and special meetings were read and confirmed.

Correspondence was read from the Chief Inspector, Mr Briak re dairy instruction by Mr Brown. Tetter laid on the table.

Mrs W. Knapp wrote asking for an extra is per week for five weeks for extra work done.—Application referred to the Chairman and Secretary with power to act. From the Bookbinders and Paper Rulers Society advocating a uniform system of class books for the whole colony, to be supplied by the Government to scholars at cost price.—The resolution was warmly supported by Messrs Hennessy and Ilaker who were of opinion that the changing of books created a hardship on some parents. It was resolved to support the resolution as forwarded by the Society. , A circular letter was read from the Board in reference to conveying children to school who lived outside a radius of three miles.— The Chairman stated no assistance was required locally, and the letter was laid on tha table.

Accounts were passed for payment, and Mr Coley was accorded a vote of thanks for carting limestone, free of charge, to the school. The Headmaster s report was read as follows ; —The average attendance during the last four weeks has been 212, 204, 226 and 221. Roll number 275. The attendance this week was—Monday, 169, Tuesday 181, Wednesday 161. A sudden epidemic of la grippe, attacking both teachers and children, seems to me to be the main cause of the drop in the attendance, though several cases of measles and scarletina have been reported, and whooping cough which has decimated our attendance for two months past has not entirely disappeared. I wonld respectfully suggest to your Committee that we open again on Monday next and if then the epidemic be not abated we take next week as our Spring holida5 r s instead of the first week of October as set down in, the regulations. Of course it will be necessary to obtain the Education Board’s consent to this alteration. I have to express my thanks to Messrs Coley, Gray and Johnson for their generous provision in enabling the School football team to visit Sandon last month.

In dealing with the report the Chairman said two of the teachers had been victims to the prevailing epidemic, and as a large number of scholars were absent through sickness at the suggestion of the headmaster he had on behalf of the Committee consented to the school being closed for a few days last week.

Mr Hennessy moved and Mr Baker seconded that the Chairman and Secretary take steps to have the holidays at once instead ol in October, if the headmaster still thinks it advisable.—Carried.

The headmaster wrote asking to he relieved of any • responsibility either in the old or new school, out buildings, play ground or any other of the Board’s property in the vicinity of the old school, as long as that building is let for any other than educational purposes. He further requested the Committee do kindly accept the key and request the Board to write off his inventar}" the various articles of furniture and fittings in the old school. —After discussion it was resolved to leave the matter in the hands of the Chairman.

The Secretary was instructed to apply to the Board for a refund of sanitary rate. It was decided to hold over the question of Technical Education to be discussed at a special meeting to be held cn Monday, 23rd hist. The usual votes of thanks concluded the meeting.