ANNUAL EDUCATIONAL MEETING.

North Otago Times, Volume II, Issue 34, 13 October 1864, Page 2

ANNUAL EDUCATIONAL MEETING.

Pursuant to advertisement in the " Gazette," the usual annual meeting for electing a district Bchool committee for the current year, 1864-5, met in the School House here on the 10th inst. The attendance was a thin one. Mr Sumpter was called to the chair. Mr Ward the Secretary read the report of tho school and state of accounts during the past twelve months. The report was noticed last yveek. Mr Smith enquired whether the whole assessment was paid up. Mr Ward replied that about £10 remain outstanding. Mr Headland objected to a portion of the report, he considered the progress of the children at the school very unsatisfactory, and that the average attendance is not co great this year as last considering the increase of population : he blamed no one for the inefficiency of the school, no man could possibly do justice to the number of children in attendance, and the meeting should see to it, in which Mr Hook and others concurred. Mr Gibbs said that the Inspector of schools, when last here, gave in a report which was highly satisfactory in regard to the state of the school, and he would be here again a few weekß hence to report again. He protested against such matters being brought before this meeting ; if such complaints were to be made they should be laid before the committee, in which he was seconded by Messrs. Payne, France, Locke, and other members of the ex-committee. Mr Smith complained of the excessive number of scholars under a single teacher, and said that no man could efficiently instruct moro than twenty. Mr Gibbs Baid that the previous or first committee having been supposed to have spent too much money, the last committee was appointed expressly for the purpose of carrying on the school at as little expense as possible. He was well ayvare that Mr Paradise \*as overtasked, and that he was out of his place too, teaching a number of little children their mdiments, and if he had half the number, namely, those in the two more advanced classes, he would have quite enough; but to effect this they would require a governess to take charge of the younger children and teach the girls sewing, &c, and tin's would need more funds. He would be glad if they could see their way to engage the services of Sirs Paradise for this purpose ; perhaps some arrangement might bo effected now that the dwelling house was nearly ready, and thus more accommodation obtained. But for his part, he could say that the progress of his children had been most satisfactory. He understood that Mr Headland's children had been taken away from the school for a considerable time. Mr Paradise the teacher here stated that Mr Headland's children had been absent for a whole year, from one Christmas to the other. Mr Headland said the reason was that they were forgetting at school yvhat they had learnt at home. The teacher here exhibited 6ome specimens of the handwriting of one of Mr Headland's children to show progress. The Chairman was of opinion that with this matter the committee had to deal. Mr Locke moved that the report be received and approved of, seconded by Mr Payne. Mr Smith moved, seconded by Mr Thompson, " That the part of the report as to the good progress of the scholars be deleted. He added a rider that the Btate of tho school yvas no fault either of schoolmaster or committee. On aßhowof hands Mr Locke's motion was carried, the supporters of the amendment objecting to the members of committee voting. The Chairman ruled that their votes be received. The report was declared approved. I The financial statement was unanimously approved, it showed a balance of £61 17s 2d in the Treasurer's hand's. The election of a new committee was then proceeded with by show of hands, after a number of names had been moved and seconded, the committee being fixed at nine. The following were elected — Messrs Pinkerton, Asehroft, Gibbs, Waddell, Smith, Sumpter, Grenfell, Bain, and Ingram. Mr Locke, before the meeting separated threw out some hints as to the possibility of saving the heavy expense which was paid at present for collecting. They paid a Clerk and Collector £90 for collecting £166 10s being the assessment at 3d per pound ; of course if the sum were much larger the expense would be the same. He would propose to try a subscription, he thought that they could easily raise the sum voluntarily instead of by assessment, and they would then have more money and be able to engage an assistant teacher. He was willing to set an example if the committee were disposed to try this method. Mr France suggested another course followed in some places, and found successful, to advertise the assessment-roll, and call upon parties to pay within a certain time, those who did not, to pay all costs of levying. After some conversation the matter was left overfor the consideration of the committee. , A vote of thanks yvas then given to the Cliairrian and the meeting separated.