SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1011, 24 February 1912, Page 3

SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

The ordinary meeting of the local school committee was held on Thursday night. Present ; Messrs Hornblow (chairman), Betty, Henderson, Hunt, Alex. Speirs and Read. Mr Read presented a report in reference to the conference recently held at Marotiri between Mr Braik, chief inspector, residents of the locality and representatives of the Foxton and Moutoa school committees. The report was received aud after discussion it was decided that this committee take no action in the matter.

The secretary presented a balance-sheet iu connection with the recent school picnic, which disclosed a credit to be carried forward to the picnic fund. It was decided to write to the Secretary of the Ashhursl Racing Club and the Chairman ot the Domain Board, for placing their properties at the disposal of the committee.

A letter was received from Mr Raugi Tapine, of Matakarapa, asking the committee whether it could arrange for the conveyance of native children across the river on their way to and from school. At present the children are kept waiting about until the parents can make it convenient to row them across. The letter stated that fifteen children attended the school.—Mr Henderson was deputed to make further enquiries and to ascertain the cost of transport twice a day, aud when these facts are available to forward same ou to the Board with a recommendation that the request be acceded to. It was pointed out that the childreu were uot old enough to mauage a boat themselves aud already in attempting to cross they had had some narrow escapes.

The head teacher reported that the average attendance for the past month, with few exceptions, has been very satisfactory. The school re-opened on January 29th when 287 pupils were present. Fifty pupils have been admitted to date and 36 names have been removed. The roll number is now 345, and the average attendance 305. Reference was made to removals aud appointments to the staff. Three of the pupils Uad beeu successful in the December examinations, Ellen Skelleu had passed the Junior Civil Service exam, aud Edgar McEwen and Henry Berthold the junior scholarship exam. The committee commented on the satisfactory progress the school was making.

Several minor repairs were authorised to be effected. Messrs Hunt and Hussey were appointed visitors lor the month. The Chairman reported that the Borough solicitor had been instructed to proceed against the committee for the recovery ol the sanitary tax, ros. He had asked that proceedings be stayed until the committee had ascertained what assistance the Board would render. A communication had been received Irom the Board stating that the matter would be dealt with at their next meeting. The committee again referred to the charge as excessive and the suggestion was made that the case should be taken before the Court to test the legality of the charges. Another committeeman said a legal opinion should be obtained. A further suggestion was made that the number of pans should be reduced. It was decided to leave the matter 'in the hands of the Chairman,