SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 427, 22 August 1908, Page 3

SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

The ordinary meeting of the above was held in the schoolhouse, on Thursday evening last. Present: Messrs Hornblow (chairman), Henderson, Read, Betty, and Rev. Mr Aitken (secretary). Correspondence was read from a parent, complaining that her child had been refused permission to leave the school building during class hours in order to obey the call of nature, and as a result had been greatly inconvenienced :—During the discussion which ensued, it was pointed out that certain children traded ou the practice .of going out, but the committee was of opinion that it would be in the best interests of the children’s health and comfort, to give them the benefit of any doubt and allow them to go out. —A resolution was passed calling the headmaster’s attention to the complaint, and asking that enquiry be made into same. It was also resolved to communicate the committee’s action to the parent. The visitors for the month (Messrs Henderson and Hennessy) reported that in their opinion, the whitewashing of the outhouses was not satisfactory, inasmuch as it did not improve the appearance of the interior, and the work had been stopped until the committee had discussed the question. The report was adopted, and _ the matter was referred to the visitors for the current month, with power to act.

Owing to indisposition, the headmaster’s report was not furnished.

The Chairman explained that, owing to the headmaster’s illness, the Board had granted him a fortnight’s leave of absence, from Monday last. Mr Read said that corporeal punishment is being meted out to scholars by .pupil teachers. He objected to the practice, as it was against the Board’s regulations. The Chairman and Mr Henderson upheld Mr Read’s contention, and it was decided to see that this privilege was exercised in future only by the headmaster and first assistant.

The Chairman and Mr Bullard were appointed visitors for the month.

It was decided to take the necessary steps with a view to having the school converted into a District High School. A resolution was passed protesting against the Board’s method of appointing pupil teachers.