SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Motueka Star, Volume II, Issue 87, 13 June 1902, Page 4

SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Motueka School Committee ivas held last night. Present : Messrs R. Rankin (chairman), Knapp, Ryder, Quayle, Bartlett and McFarlane. 1 ‘ Minutes of previous meeting read and adopted. The Head-master’s report was read as follows : Total roll number 172—two having been entered and two removed. The average for the month has been very good ; indeed since the conference of Committees decided to take strict measures only 4 pupils have come within the compulsory clauses. The percentage of attendance over the whole month has been 87, while since the conference it has been 9*This may be taken as an index ot what a truant officer would do for the school. The roll of the High School is stationary, viz 31., The attendance is good. A difficulty about books which has greatly hindered the work is about settled at last, and much better work may be expected to be done. During the month we had a visit from Mr Strachan, Assistant Inspector, who reCorted himself as very pleased with what e saw of the school work. He gave us a requisition for a good deal of apparatus, the first of which, arrived to-day. Most of it is for the High School, which, hitherto, with the exception of desks, has been absolutely unfurnished. A splended been effected by Mrs Hunt in the Cleanliness and appearance of the offices, and they are now in a very sanitary condition. A grant of has been made bv the Board for chemical apparatus and Mr Wilkes is making out the list of necessary articles. Work has been proceeding smoothly", all teachers working well. The draining at the back of the school has not been effected, but Mr Miller has promised to see to it at once. T. A. Harris, M.A., Headmaster.

Monday, 9th. Correspondence was read from the Education Board re scarlet fever ; also copy of memorandum from the Acting Premier re Coronation cards ; also notifying the payment into the Bank of £6 3s quarter’s, allowance. On the motion of Mr Knapp, seconded by Mr Bartlett, it was resolved, That the Board be requested to forward the Committee’s allowances direct to the Chairman, or pay bank charges. Tne Chairman reported the credit balance to be <£B 15s 9d. Arc >unts amounting to £5 were passed for payment. A letter was received from Mr T. G. Malcolm stating that his fee foracting as supervisor for scholarships in December last, two and 'a half days, had not been paid. It was agreed that the Chairman communicate with Mr Malcolm on the subject. Resolved, That Mr Miller’s account be held over till next meeting. The Chairman reported- that the amouut of £2O voted by the jßoard had been practically spent and thdt Messrs Ryder and Wratt had supervised the work. He suggested application being made for the amount. At the request of the Chairman, Mr Harris read the minutes of the Confer-jchei-s ami committeemen, held lasfmorith. A resolution re the appointment of a truant officer, passed by the delegates was discussed. . The Chairman suggested calling tor applications for a truant officer, the s ilary to be apportioned amongst the schools interested. Messrs Bartlett and McFarlane considered it inadvisable to appoint such an officer and to put the law into motion to compel the children to attend school. The latter favored the appointment if good would result the from, nut thought the master, by advi ang parents.of the absence of their child -en, even for half'a. day,, kept up the attendance of the:- school..

Messrs Ehapp and Rjhier favored the appointment hdt only ; as a means r of increasing the attendance but also to ene uiage the teachers in the discharge of their duties. . ■ it was ultimately agreed that the matter be held ovei- trll next meeting: With reference to the Coronation festivities- it was resolved that the schools close on the 26th and 27th. On the motion of Mr Bartlett, seconded by Mr Quayle that during the next quarter, commencing on the Ist July, the schools open at half past nine and close at half past three. Carried unanimously. • Mi Knapp detailed what had been done in connection with the memorial to the late A. Bisley, for which the children and friends had subscribed and which it was proposed to unveil. It was agreed that the tablet be unveiled by the Headmaster at eleven o’clock the next day (Wednesday). A hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr 'Bartlett for making such a handsome tablet and to Mr Budden for printing the inscription. Mr Bartlett briefly returned thanks. Mr Knapp brought under notice of the Committee the fact that Mr Lowe’s services had not been acknowledged by the Board. Mr Lowe did not look for pecuniary recompense but simply a recognition of his services. The "speaker certainly thought, after Mr Lowe’s kindness in coming to their aid the Board should acknowledge those services. He moved, That the Education Board be reminded that they have never officially recognised Mr Lo we’s

services. Seconded by Mr McFarlane and carried This concluded the business.