SCHOOL COMMITTEE

Motueka Star, Volume II, Issue 59, 7 March 1902, Page 5

SCHOOL COMMITTEE

The ordinary monthly meeti: g «->f the Motueka School CoiaiHiittee was held on Tuesday evening. Present: Messi s Moffatt (chairman),. Wratt, Hursthouse Knapp. and Barfelett. Minutes of previous rueet'ng read and adopted. Accounts were passed for payment. A letter was received from the Nelson Education Board informing the Committee that teacher's salaries would, in future, be paid direct by the Government ; also informing the committee of the reduced capitation allowance. Mr Hursthouse said that in view of the reduced allowance to the committee L they would have to consider their posias it was utterly impossible to go on with the present grant of foulshillings per head. He moved, and it was seconded by Mr Knapp, That the chairman prepare a statement shewing (1) the annual charges for sweeping and cleaning the school buildings ; (2) the charges for cleaning, etc., of outbuildings ; (3) the cost of fuel; (4) the cost (of school material, such as ink, pens, etc., That such statement be forwarded to the Education Board with the intimation from this committee that unless the Board is prepared to make an annual grant /for sweeping the schools this committee fails to see its way to perform the duties imposed npon it by the Education Act upon an allowance of four shillings per capita of the average attendance. The motion was carried, the mem■bers agreeing that even with the previous allowance the greatest cai e had to be exercised to keep "out of debt. Mrs Hunt wrote applying for increased remuneration for cleaning the ; schools, in consideration of having to sweep the .new school rooms. .! It was resolved that t/e application j be held over till next meeting. The following report from the Headmaster was i-ead : Head-Master's Report for the Month of . February. Roll number, last month 161 ; removed 2 ; admitted 4 ; at present 163. Average for February 125. All work during the month has been progressing smoothly and well. The assistant teachers have been most diligent and painstaking. The sweeping and dusting have been satisfactorily done ; but the trouble in the boys',office complained of last month has not been abated. Mr Lowe has for the last month been ; giving secondary instruction to the High \ School pupils. Last Friday I examined \ the class and found that every good proI gress indeed had been made in the subjects \ Latin, Euclid, Algebra, and Arithmetic. I Twenty-one pupils had been in attendance. ! Mr Wilkes and myself have arranged a I High School curriculm in Latin, English, jAlgebra, Euclid, Arithmetic, Chemistry, lliistory, Geography and book-keeping. At v;some time in the near future I should like \o add some manual training such as instruction in wood work. s \ By order of the Chairman the school was losed on Friday for a fortnight on account Y hop picking, the attendance having vllen to 65. T. A. Harris, M.A. Head-Master. Mr Huvsthouse proposed That no \ve b )oks be procured from the location Board, but that for the r| fare the same be obtained from Mr itadden, provided that the cost does not exceed the prices charged by the Board. Seconded by Mr Knapp and carried. Mr L. D. Easton wrote suggesting n conference of committees to discuss the compulsory the Act, It was resolved, That the Chairman issue circulars inviting chairmen of the f neighboring committees to meet the »achers in Motueka on the 29th tarch to discus's the question. The Chairman reported having 'written to the Education Board asking that Mr Lowe's services as temL,/ >orary teacher of the High. School be

j recognised in some substantial manner ; also that he had invited the Chairman and members of the Education Boai-d to visit Motueka on the occasion of the openin gof the High School. Mr Mofiatt mentioned that he had, as yet, received no reply from the Board, but he bad seen several inembsrs and explained the reason why they had accepted Mr Lowe's services. Those spoken to tnought the right~course had been taken and expressed surprise that there were already twenty one pupils. Mr Hursthouse thought they should show their appreciation of Mr Lowe's services, especially as he had helped thorn in time of need. He moved, That Mr Lowe be written tonnd heartily thanked for the valuable service rendered as tempoiary High School teacher and expressing a hope that the Nelson Education Board would recognise his services in a more substantial form. The motion was carried without dissent, Mr Harris, who was present, stating that under Mr Lowe's tuition the scholars had made considerable progress. The Chairman, referring to the opening of the High School buildings, suggested asking the Committeemen of the neighboring schools to be present at the official opening. It was resolved, That upon receipt of definite information from the Board as to when the High School is to be offeially opened, the Chairman call a special meeting to make arrangements in connection therewith. The meeting then concluded.