TOWN SCHOOLS COMMITTEE

Nelson Evening Mail, 19 September 1916, Page 3

TOWN SCHOOLS COMMITTEE

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Town Schools Committee was held last evening. Present: liev. J. H. MacKenzie ('Chairman), Mesdame s Buchanan and HiLl, Messrs J. N. Easdale, E. E. "Boyes, W. MdConchie, and) J. A. Stringer. The head, teacher of the Boys' Central School {Mr F. G. Gibibs) reported' that there were 589 names on the roll, and that the average attendance was 528.6, being 89.7 per cent. iSome repairs were ordered' to foe attended to. Mr F. V. Knapp, head teacher at the Girls' Central School, reported that there were 670 hames on the roll, and that the average attendance was 563.9, 'being 84.5 per cent. It was resoltved to procure some azaleas and rhododendrons for the school garden at the GirV Central School. The secretary of the Education Board -.vro'te stating that the position on the teaching staff of the Girls' .School rendered vacant by the resignation of Miss Janet Johnston had. been filled 'by the promotion of other teachers on the staff, and Miss 11. .Small, of Clifton Terrace, had ibeem transferred to the staff. —The transfer was approved. The secretary of the Board intimated that the .Board" had purchased Mr F. W. Haase's property adjoining; the Hampden Street School, "as an aclditioii to the school site. General satisfaction was expressed by members of the Committee at this information, as additions to the present buildings amd more playground) would' be required shortly. The secretary of the 'Board advised that on Monday next, Dominion Day, the schools would open at the usual hour, and it 'was suggested that short addresses should be given Tby representatives of the committees and teachers on the history of the Dominion, with special reference to the part played in the •present momentous struggle, the rest of the day to be c/bserved as a holiday. The matter of providing a cupboard at the Girls' Central School was left in the hands of Messrs 'Stringer and McConchie. Accounts amounting to £llß 9s Id were passed for payment. "Mrs Buchanan referred to the question of open-air schools, and suggested that the /Board should apply to the Government for a special gra'tit for the establishment of an open-air school at Nelson. Open-air schools ha<s proved' successful elsewhere, and she thought the experiment might be tried here. After a brief discussion, it was resolved on Mrs Ruicnanan's motion, to make a strong recommendation to the 'Board to apply to the Government for a special grant for the purpose.