SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 458, 22 May 1909, Page 3

SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

The ordinary meeting of the above was held in the school house on Thursday evening last. Present : —Messrs Hornblow (chairman), Rev G. K. Aitken (secretary), Betty, Bn'.lard, G. Coley, Henderson, He veil, Read and Alex Speirs- Correspondence was received from the Board stating that an assistant had been temporarily appointed on the local staff and another 'to the effect that the assistant had been appointed by transfer. —The Chairman explained that the committee had replied in answer to the Board’s enquiries as to whether the committee had any objection to make in regard to the appointment, that it would prefer the Board to submit other names for selection. The Board again wrote stating that the appointment was temporary and later sent a note saying that the appointment was by transfer. It was the opinion that the Board official who made the appointment got a little mixed. —The visitors’ report referred to certain minor matters which the Chairman was authorised to give effect to.

The headmaster’s report stated that the attendance for the two weeks prior to the holidays was 259 and 251 ; the average for this week 236 ; roll number 306. Alter suggesting certain necessary work, the report stated that Miss Slattery, who had been appointed by the Board to succeed Miss Voysey, had taken up her duties, and is a valuable acquisition to the teaching staff. The report was adopted.

A letter was read from the Revs. Messrs Aitkeu and Mairs asking leave to give Bible instruction to the pupils on one or two afternoons in the week from 3 to 3.30. The letter stated that it was understood that the legal school hours closed at 3 o’clock each day, which would enable the writers to avail themselves of the presence of the teaching staff in maintaining discipline ; children whose parents objected to Bible instruction could be drawn into separate rooms while the lesson was proceeding. The writers stated that this practice existed in quite a number of State schools with excellent results.—A discussion took place on the subject and it was decided to postpone dealing definitely with the request until next meeting.

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