ROXBURGH SCHOOL COMMITTEE

Mt Benger Mail, Volume V, Issue 230, 10 May 1884, Page 3

ROXBURGH SCHOOL COMMITTEE

The usual monthly meeting of the above Committee was held in the schoolroom on Saturday evening-last. Present V-Messrs Andrew (Chairman), Borton, Burgess, Orr, and R. EC Smith (Sec). The minutes of-the previous meeting were read and confirmed. A communication was read from the Education Board, stating that it had been decided to supply two Archmedean ventilators for the Roxburgh school, and they would be sent in a few days.

The Secretary of the Board also wrote in reply to the application made by the Committee for a pupil teacher. The reply was to the effect that the average attendance at the school for the last quarter was only 105, whereas it was necessary that the average attendance be 110 to secure a pupil teache#«~ In answer to tbe Chairman, the Secretary stated that he had, in writing, brought before the Board's notice the reason for the small attendance at the commencement of last quarter. This matter caused sotiae discussion among the members, as it was thought the explanation should have been sufficient to have induced the BoanJ to appointapupil teacher at once.—lt transpired that the present average attendance was 113, quite sufficient to secure the services of a pupil teacher, but evidently the Board intended leaving the matter over till next quarter —lt was resolved, on the motion of Mr Burgess, seconded by Mr Borton, " That the secretary be instructed to communicate again with the Board relative to the appointment of pupil teacher, at the same time stating the present average attendance, and again explaining the cause of the attendance being a little below the necessary average last quarter." It was reported that the blackboards and stands, for which the Committee recently applied to the Board, had arrived.

The Chairman said that he had got certain necessary works done in connection with the school—gravelling, repairs to spouting, &c. Coals had alto been , obtained. 'ihe following accounts were passed for payment : O. F. C. Browne (for warding a-ent), carriage, 7s 6d ; James Burgess u'or work about the school, including grtieilmg and material for repxirs), £'-i lUs. The Secretary stated that there was a bahnce of 12s 5d to the credit of the school accou.it. The Chairman handed in <ss received far the use of the school fro n the pai ty who exhibited views, &c , during the week. — ihe question of endeavoring to ar; ange for an overdraft to meet current expenses »vas spoken of, but nocking was dennitely arranged. The SecieUiy read a copy of the certificate of eiiiciency which he had drawn out for the tea;her.—This document was ably and suitably composed by the Secretary, and was fully approved of by the Committee —and it is doubtless very satisfactory to the teacher. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned.

who attended Sunday after Sunday to be taught by her will miss her now she has gonei and throughout the Church generally the greatest sorrow prevails on account of the loss of a friend and helper. There are numerous acts of charity which could be mentioned as having been performed by deceased, and the los 9 will be keenly felt. Nevertheless, as has been the case in times gone by, these sorrowful blanks will occur in society, and deep and tangible proof of regret will follow. It is the lot of mankind- The sicknesses and ailments to which all human beings are more or less subject, very often indeed convey to us with some force the truth that the old must die and the young may. The deceased was only 36 years of age when death took her .—ln conclusion, we may state that the .gloom which has been cast over this district by this sad occurrence will not be quickly dispelled—more especially so as; the de ceased had been a long time resident here and had some stake in the district The children (of whom she leaves four) will miss an affectionate and attentive mother, who can now no longer minister to their wants, but we have little doubt but that with the substantial means left, and the kind attention of their friends, their temporal affairs will be well looked after, and every comfort possible afforded them.

The funeral was arranged to take place on toe following day (Wednesday), the Kev.JMr Clinton, of Clyde, being in the district; he having held service the pre* vious Sunday in the Church here. The little notice given of the funeral doubtless prevented a good many from attending, but still, as this kind of news usually spreads quickly, a large assemblage of people were present to pay the last tribute of respect to the deceased. At three o'clock the funeral procession was formed, and the coffin containing the body was removed to the Church, in accordance with the English custom. While this was being done, the church bell was tolling- A portion of the service was read by the Rev. Mr Clinton—the coffin being placed so that all in the church could see it, while the service was being read. On leaving the church, the coffin was again placed in the hearse which had been obtained from Lawrence and was driven by Mr Hugh Craig, and the procession reformed and marched to the cemetery at Roxburgh East, where on arrival the remains were interred, the remainder of the funeral service being read at the grave- The proceedings throughout were of a very solemn and affecting character; and the weather was miserable, wet and windy. Shortly afterwards all made their way for home, feeling that one more link in the chain of friendship and the ties of this life was broken.—So ends our record of this sad and trying bereavement to many, and the loss of Mrs Cooper.