SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3778, 14 December 1907, Page 3

SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

A meeting of the above was held in the Library on Thursday evening. Present: Messrs Wilson (chairman), Baker, Betty, Hennessy, Eevett, Perreau, and Frankland (secretary). The headmaster’s report was read and discussed.

It was decided not to take any action re fencing the old residence, as the Board had let the building. Mr Baker expressed dissatisfaction at the examination results, especially at the fact that not more than two pupils had secured certificates of proficiency. He thought that some action should be taken with regard to this matter. The Chairman agreed with some of Mr Baker’s remarks, but considered it doubtful whether any action could be taken in the matter.

On the motion of Mr Baker, seconded by Mr Hennessy, it was resolved that the Committee address the Education Board, stating that great dissatisfaction exists among parents, owing to the circumstance that so many children have been put back one or two standards, and that this, in the case of parents not in affluent circumstances, has operated as a great hardship. Further, that this committee expected a better result from the examination than that which has just been reported, and would be glad to know if the Board can suggest any remedy to prevent a recurrence of a state of things which is, at least, so disheartening to children and parents alike. Proposed by Mr Baker, seconded by Mr Frankland, That Chairman, Secretary, mover, and any other member so desiring, wait on Mr Stevens, at his next visit to Foxton, and discuss with him the classifii ation system of the dominion.—Carried. Proposed by the Chairman, seconded by Mr Betty, That the Secretary arrange for the mending of panes of glass mentioned in the Headmaster’s report, and for the screwing of the desks.—Carried. Proposed by the Chairman, seconded by Mr Betty, That Headmaster’s report be adopted.—Carried. Proposed by the Secretary, seconded by the Chairman, That a sheet of foolscap be typed for each member of the Committee to collect subscriptions for prizes.—Carried. The Secretary then read the correspondence and the accounts. Proposed by Mr Baker, seconded by Mr Hennessy, That the accounts as read be passed,—Carried. The subject of Technical Education, held over from last meeting, was then resumed ; Proposed by Mr Baker, seconded by Mr Hennessy, That Mr Amos or his successor be asked to get out a circular next January and state therein (according to his own suggestion in his letter to Mr Clemett) that classes will be held. The circular to state that the classes will commence at the beginning of March, and that they will be in the following subjects:—Continuation classes in English, arithmetic, shorthand, typewriting, and bookkeeping ; technical classes in woodwork and engineering for the boys, and dressmaking and cooking for the girls.—Carried. Chairman said we should need to raise £2O of which had already been subscribed by the Borough Council, and £5 by the Chamber of Commerce. If we could raise the remaining £25, the Government would give us another The Committee resolved to provide the remaining but the ways and means (whether by concerts, collections, guarantee, or a combination of two or all of these) were purposely held over till next meeting.