SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 371, 11 April 1908, Page 3

SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

The monthly meeting of the School Committee was held last evening. Present : Messrs Hernblow (chairman), Frank land, Levclt, Henderson, Perrean. The headmaster was also in attendance. The Chairman slated that he hoped the in-coming, committee would ask the headmaster to be present at committee meetings, as this would obviate little misunderstandings, and the committee would benefit by the suggestions obtained from the headmaster. This practice obtained throughthe schools of other districts.

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

Correspondence was read from the Education Board, enclosing Mr Braik’s report re school classificatin. The Chairman stated that two rooms in the old school had been approved by the Board’s architect, for technical classes, and tenders bad been received for renovating the interior of .same. —It was decided to accept the lowest tender for the work. —A letter was read from Mr Grant, stating that as soon as the rooms were in readness he would visit Foxtou after the Easter holidays, and ssist to form the classes. —Mr Fraukland said that Mr Hennessy, himself, and Mr Grant, had met with much success in their canvass for funds in aid of the technical classes.

The headmaster’s report stated that since the Christmas holidays the attendance had been a record for the school, the average for the quarter was 242 out of a roll of 293. The Chief Inspector paid a surprise visit to the school on February 21st and report is enclosed. A supply of fuel was needed for the winter and certain repairs to to the wood shed. The report referred to the Chief Inspector’s remarks in reference to the school cleaning. The headmaster asked what science subject should be taken up as suggested by the Chief Inspector. The report was received. It was resolved that the headmaster order a cord of hard wood and one ton of coal, and that the Chairman be empowered to have the repairs to the woodhouse attended to. —It was unanimously decided that the headmaster instruct the pupils in physical measurements, one of the three forms of science suggested by the Chief Inspector. The Chief Inspector reported that the teaching of one of the pupil teachers was distinctly mechanical; favourable reports were received of the others. Referring to the headmaster, the Inspector said : “In endeavouring to secure the proficiency of his pupils, Mr Adams does not spare himself. His teaching is spirited and thorough. The organisation of the school is satisfactory. Order, attention, and tone, are very good throughout. The scheme books are faithfully kept. The floors of the rooms might be kept cleaner. In a school of this grade some definite form of elementary science should be taken, e.g., agriculture, dairying, or physical measurements.’’ It was decided to retain the services of Mr Rae-Howard as Secretary, at a further remuneration of 10s, till the annual meeting. The Chairman and Mr Frankland were appointed do draw up the annual report to be presented to the householders’ meeting. It was decided to call tenders by advertisement, for fencing to be in by the 20th inst., and that a special meeting be called on the evening of that date, to consider same. The meeting terminated at 9.30