SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 831, 26 April 1910, Page 2

SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

A meeting of the Foxton School Committee was held in the schoolhouse last evening, prior to the meeting of householders, for the purpose of receiving the annual report and balance-sheet to be submitted to the annual meeting. Present: Messrs Hornblow (chairman), Betty, Coley, Speirs, Henderson, Levett, Bullard, and Read.

EEECTION OF COMMITTEE.

The annual meeting of house holders, called for S o’clock last evening, was poorly attended. Mr Hennessy was voted to the chair.

The minutes of the last annual meeting were read and confirmed on the motion of Mr Bullard.

The annual report of the Committee stated that twelve well attended meetings had been held during the year. The year commenced with a credit of is nd and closed with a credit of is lod. The total receipts were 19s Bd, the principal items being: Capitation, 6s 6d ; concert, ,£35 16s; and other items including donations making the total. The principal items of expenditure included: Cleaning, 6s yd ; fuel, ,£4 16s; repairs, £5 4s ; stationery, 6s 2d. It was pointed out that the reduced capitation grant would make it necessary lor the committee to raise a special sum in order to provide lor fuel, stationery, repairs, and part payment of cleaning. The fund set apart for school ground improvements had already been encroached upon to meet necessary incidental expenses. The committee had set itself the task of carrying out much needed improvements to the grounds and the beautifying of same, and after repealed applications, to the Board for assistance, the latter body had deputed its chairman and Mr Fraser to inspect and report and the committee had reason to believe that its request in this connection would be acceded to. Changes in the staff during the year were referred to. Messrs Geo. Coley and Hornblow had donated an honour’s board to the school which it was hoped would stimulate scholars to greater effort. The scholars had been given their annual picnic and river excursion and in this connection r the committee desired to thank Mr Signal for conveying the children to the Beach free ot charge. The average attendance lor the year ending December 31st, 1909 was 263. This raised the school to grade VII. 8., giving the services of an additional pupil teacher. The staff at present consists of three assistants and three pupil teachers. The attendance for the March quarter of this year was 307. If 300 can be maintained for the year the school will go up to grade VIII. A., entitling the services of an additional assistant. The present roll number is 368. A pleasing feature is the number of children of 5 and 6 years of age who are attending school. This is as it should be, as pupils are required by the inspectors to be in St. I. at 8 years of age, and pupils who start late are heavily handicapped when the upper standards are reached, especially if parents^ 1 desire that they should be presented for scholarships for which there is an age limit.

Other minor matters were referred to.—-The report was adopted. Mr Hennessy moved that the meeting express its appreciation of the manner in which the outgoing committee had carried out its duties during the past year. Seconded by Mr A. Hudson, and carried. Nominations were then received for the position of committeemen for the ensuing year. The chairman intimated that ladies were eligible for nomination, but no names were forthcoming. Eleven nominations were received, and upon a ballot being taken the following were returned Messrs Rev. Aitken, Betty, Bullard, Coley, Henderson, Hornblow, Hussey, Eevett, and Alex. Speirs.

A resolution was submitted to the meeting, and moved by the chairman, protesting against the action ot the Government in reducing the building maintenance grants to Education Boards, and also the special capitation grant of 9d per head to school committed. The chairman explained that owing to the decrease of capitation the committee did not receive sufficient revenue to carry out its functions properly. A sum would have to be raised locally, by means of concerts and other efforts, and it was desired to impress upon the Government the necessity of the restitution of such grant.—lt was resolved to forward the resolution to the Minister for Education.

Mr Speirs moved that a hearty vote of thanks be accorded Mr Hornblow as chairman for the w* past year, and in doing so his services in that position, mentioning the fact that he made an excellent chairman, and took great interest in the welfare of the school. In seconding the motion Mr Eevett endorsed Mr Speirs’ remarks.

In reply, Mr Hornblow said he felt it to be his duty to do what he could for the furtherence of our excellent system of education, and to take an interest in the local school. In this connection, however, he desired to pay a tribute to the teaching staff. He referred to the interest evinced by the head- . master in the children’s mental aa < well as physical exercises, and moved a vote of appreciation to the headmaster and staff, which was carried with applause. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr Aitken for| his services as secretary to the Committee.

Mr Jackson returned thanks on behalf of the staff, and said he felt sure that when he conveyed to the teachers the appreciation expressed of their work it would spur them on to further efforts for the welfare of the children and the advancement of the school. He said his position as headmaster in the school had been an exceedingly pleasant one, and he was pleased with the happy condition existing between parents and the committee. He thanked parents for the hearty co-operation they had extended the Committee and himself.

A vote of thanks was accorded the householders for their attendance, and to Mr Hennessy for presiding at the meeting.

MEETING OF NEW COM-

MITTEE

A meeting of the newly elecU d committee was held subsequently, when business of a routine natuie was transacted.

Mr Hornblow was unanimously re-elected chairman for the ensuing year.

The chairman conveyed to Mr McKnight the Committee’s appreciation of the faithful manner in which he had attended to his duties as cleaner, and remarked that the Chief Inspector had made special mention of the cleanliness and neat appearance of the interior of the building. Mr Betty was elected secretary.

It was decided that the meetings be held as previously, viz., the third Thursday in each month.

Messrs Aitken and Betty were appointed visitors for the mouth.

The following are the results of the school committee elections in other places:—

Moutoa. —Messrs A. Saunders (chairman and secretary), W. Hudson, M. Newth, li. Pigott, W. Young, J. Williams, and W. Coley.

Shannon. —Messrs D. Gardiner (chairman), T. Retter (secretary), J. Batchelor, T. Linsell, T. Wells, G. Harris, and Vagg. Himatangi.—Messrs J. F. Coulan (chairman), Harvy (secretary), H. G. Hiimmoud, P. Brad} - , Witton and J. Thompson.

Terrace End. Messrs Nash (chairman), Yortt, Lewis, Robbie, Tregurtha, Jarrett, Pratt, Erenston and Walker.

Campbell Street. Messrs Palmer, Pickering, Swallow, Allman, Clausen, Gittings, Thomas, Westmoreland and Fraser.

Colllege Street. —Messrs Carville, Hodder, Jewell, Whitehead, Sansen Harvey, Spooner and Stubbs.

Rongotea.—Messrs H. Turner (chairman), F. G, Seddou (secretary), Rev. H. F. Wilson, J. Penney, A. P. Landers, R. Sutton, and J, Broadbelt.