WAVERLEY.

Patea Mail, Volume IV, Issue 395, 29 January 1879, Page 2

WAVERLEY.

(From our own Correspondent.) A siiiltrixa of subscribers to the Library was held on Thursday, the 23rd instant, Mr Hwiuhanrn in the chair. The Treasurer reported that a sufficient sum had been collected to form a Public Library under the Act. It was then resolved that a commitltco of seven be appointed to take ail necessary steps for the formation of the Waverley Library, the committee to consist of .Messrs owinbonrn, Wineheomb, Mason, Mnine, J. Aiken, I). Williamson. The election of the new School Committee took place last evening in tiie school-house. About thirty were present, which, considering the busy time among the funnels, was a good muster. Mr Wineheomb was put in the chair, and called upon the Chairman of the School Committee for his report, which was road by Mr Mason. The following gentlemen were then nominated for the new Committee—.Messrs Mason, Milne, McDonald, Chcyne, Mathioson, Dickie, Bridge, Old, Thurston, .John Dickie, and J. 13. Taylor. The poll resulted in tiie election of Messrs Bridge, McDonald, Mason, Milne, Thurston, Mathieson, and James Dickie—six out of vhe seven having belonged to the old Committee. A vote of thanks was accorded to the last year’s Committee, and to the chairman and scrutineers, and the meeting adjourned.

CHAIKIIAS’S REPORT

Your Committee held their first meeting under the present Education Act, on June 7th, but owing to a protest having been lodged against their election, they did not think it advisable to do anything until the decision of the Education Board was made

known. On being informed that the Board had confirmed the election, your Committee met as soon as possible, viz., on July Ist, and elected their Chairman. They first turned their attention to the school enlargement, ami found that the .matter had already been brought before the Education Board by the Inspector, in his report. Under instructions from the Board, tenders were called for, and that of McFariane and Swinbourn was accepted. The work should have been completed by December, but the contractors experienced great difficulty in obtaining timber, which delayed the completion until the present month. The present buildings are capable of accomodating at least 120 pupils. The advisability of bringing the compulsory clauses of the Act into force, was brought before your Committee, but asthe building was already over-crowded they determined to take no action until the addition had been completed. This will therefore be a matter for the consideration of the new Committee. Your Committee found tiiat the grounds required their attention, and

also that some little improvements were needed at the master’s house. As it was impossible' for them to effect these improvenfienis out oi: the funds at their disposal, the Board was applied. to, and after some correspondence, the sum of£s4 was voted for this purpose. This sum has been expended in the improvements required. Your Committee have opened an account with the Bank of New Zealand, Waverley, and Mr Milne was appointed to sign cheques iu conjunction with the Chairman.

As many of the school children are in the habit of riding to school and have to turn their horses loose on the ground adjoining, your committee thought it advisable to obtain, if possible, a small portion of the Town Belt for.the use'of the school. Application was made to the Minister of Lands, through Captain Wray, and will in ill probability be entertained, as a reply has been received desiring the committee to point out, the most suitable place for the purpose. This was done, a section containing 44 acres being selected. An application was made to your committee to admit boys over school age. This was refused, the master intending to open an evening school for boys. Girls over age were admitted as they would be unable to take advantage of the evening classes. Your committee held their last meeting on January 18th, 1879, when Mr Swinbourn was appointed auditor under the Act.In closing the report, I feel called upon to bear testimony to the cordial understanding which has existed between the Waverley School Committee and-the Education Board, and to thank the members for this district who have rendered ns every assistance in their power. To the Secretary of the Board, I also feel that the thanks of the committee are due. Having conducted the correspondence for the committee duringtheir term of office, I beg to tender my thanks to that gentleman for his ready assistanceand prompt replies when referred to on any matter. 11. F. .Mason, Chairman, Waverley School Committee. The number of children attending school is as follows : —Quarter ending 30th September. Number on Roll—hoys, 50; girls, 47. Total, 97. Average daily attendance —boys, 35; girls, 29. Total, G4. Quarter ending December 31st. on roll—boys, 47 ; girls, 4G. Total, 93. Average attendance —boys, 37; girls, 35. Total, 72.