NORMANBY SCHOOL COMMITTEE ELECTION.

Patea Mail, Volume IV, Issue 396, 1 February 1879, Page 2

NORMANBY SCHOOL COMMITTEE ELECTION.

[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) A meeting of the householders of tin's Education District, was held on Monday evening, the 27th instant, at the bchoolhouse, to elect the Committee for the ensuing year. The attendance was small, consisting of only seven, and amongst them were the Chairman, two members, and the Secretary of the out-going Committee. Before the formal business of the meeting commenced, a discussion took place as to whether the number of householders present were sufficient for the carrying on of the business-of the evening, but as by provisions of the Act no number is stated as forming a quorum, it was considered best to proceed with the election, subject of course to the correction of the Board. Mr John Finlayson being called to the c.diair, Mr C. E. Gibson, Chairman and Treasurer of *"1118 Committee, read the Annual Report and Balance-sheet, which was a proved and adopted. [Report shall appear in next issue.] The following gentlemen were then nominated to serve on the new Committee —Messrs Hawke, McKay, Quin. England, Sanson, Robson, and Bosley, and with a vote of thanks to the Chairman, the proceedings terminated.

THE TRIAL TRIP OF THES.S. PATEA. (From the Wellington Chronicle.) The s.s. Patea, which has been built and fitted up at the Lion Foundry of Mr F. V/. Mills, made its trial trip on Satnr•lay afternoon, the 25ih January, Mr i ills being on hospitable thoughts intent, ivited a number of bis friends to take part in ibo excursion ; so, shortly before three o'clock, a pleasant party bad assembled on board, which included many of our leading citizens. A start was effected at three o’clock, from the breastwork near the Foundry, and the little vessel steamed merrily away over the waters of the harbour. Kaiwarra and Ngahauranga were quickly passed, and an approach made to the shores of Petono. Then the course was altered in the direction of Lowry B iv, and at this point, champagne and other refreshments having been provided, Mr Mills, in a licit speech invited the, assembled guests to drink the toast of “ Success to the Patea.” This was done wi<h great enthusiasm and a ringing peal of cheers. The Hon. Colonel Whitmore then proposed “The health of Mr E. W. Mills.” He said—Gentlemen, I ask yon to fill your glasses, and to drink a bumper toast to tiie gentleman to whose enterprise, ami to whose ingenuity is due that, this, the first iron steamer built in Wellington, is to-day taking ns to witness her trial trip. It is not many years since compound engines were invented in England, and wo to-day see a steamer fitted witli all the latest appliances, and all the last fruits of scientific invention—all of them manufactured hen?—launched at. this distant point of her Majesty’s dominions. Mr Mills has solved a problem of immense importance to tins community, fie lias proved that a vessel can bo built here, and delivered on the West Coast, at a price considerably less than a simihir one built at Home, and brought out hero, could be delivered, I have to-day made it my business to ask the opinion of several persons, far more competent to form one than myself, and I find that the Patea, on hoard which wo now arc, is a faithfully built, strong, and very suitable vessel for its trade, while its consumption o l ' coal, said to be only Bcwt for 24 hours, is so small that it can be most economically wonted. 1 predict for it, therefore, a prosperous career, and that it will be no less a benefit to the West Coast, than it is sure to be a credit to Mr Mills and to Wellington. Bearing in mind how much this result is due to the enterprise and and pluck of Mr Mills, our host of to-day, Task you to drink his health with three limes three. The toast was drank with much enthusiasm, and Mr Mills returned thanks in an an appropriate speech. He said that the Patea was faithfully built, and he was sure that, she was well adapted for the trade. He li listed that the Patea would prove a success to the P.S.S. Company, and lie the means of inducing others to build larger boats in the Colony for coastal trade, as theie was every facility here with regard to maehmery ; but a suitable site should certainly be set apart fur shipbuilding purposes in our port. He was sure, with the appliances and skilful workmen lie had around him, that a vessel of five hundred ions could be as readily constructed as the Patea. (Cheers.) B am after the jetty at Lowry Bay was reached, and (lie whole party look a pleasant stroll over the property. At 5 o’clock they got on board again and a start was made homewards. The weather was magnificent —a cloudless sky, a smooth sea, and just enough wind to temper the lie.at of the sun. The return trip was a veiy pleasant affair. The members of ihe goodly company waxed genial, and inure speech-making became die order of the day. Mr J. li. Marriat sang a “ local” song commemorative of the occasion, and Colonel Wldimore, imano!hei happy speech proposed the hea lli of Mrs Mills, n toast, which was duly honored, and three cheers tor the lady given besides. Then Mr Mills replied. A number of oilier toasts were given, amongst which were “Mr

Cable and the employees of the Lion Foundry,” “ Captain Gibbons and success to the Patea.” Dining the outward trip a pressure of 75/hs had only been kept up for a short time, so that on the return, when off Point Hallswell, a slight delay was made in onler to get up steam. The full pressure of 751bs was not however obtained, hut, with a pressure somewhat over 6'Jihs, the mile from Point Hallswell to Point Jerniugham—buoy to buoy—was accomplished in 8 min 3 sees. The average speed made during the trip was miles ; but when the valves arc weighted with 751 bs, it is calculated that a speed of 9 miles will be easily attained. The steamer returned to the breastwoik at G. 30, when most of (he company dispersed highly delighted with (heir trip. At the invitation of Mr Mills, the captain, some of the officers of the vessel, and also some of those who had been concerned in her lilting up, adjourned to the saloon, when various other toasts were proposed and duly honored. The following particn'ars with respect to tiie steamer have been kindly supplied to us : —The vessel lias been built to the onler of the Patea Steam Shipping Company, to trade between Wellington and that port. Her dimensions are—Length, overall, 91 feet Gin ; beam, 16ft; depth of hold, Gftfiin. She is a twin screw, and the first iron twin screw built in the Colonies. She is driven by two pairs of compound surface condensing engines of 30 horse power nominal. The engines make 180 revolutions per minute, with a pressure 75 lbs. The consumption of fuel is 2£ihs per hour for each indicated horse power. Her boiler is 8 feet long, by 7ft Gin diameter, with two furnaces, and was tested to 1401 bs before being placed on board, The tonnage is G5 tons register, and she

will carry from 90 to 100 tons, on a draught of 4ft 6in forward, and sft aft. She is fitted with a very powerful double cylinder steam winch, which is also adapted for hauling in the anchor chains. Her cabin is.roomy’, and tastefully finished, capable of accommodating 19 passengers. The fittings in (ho saloon are executed very handsomely in birds-eye maple, and crimsmn velvet, the upholsterer being Mr Carl Peters, of Cnba-street. There is also a very neatly’ "fitted-up ladies’ cabin, and tiie vessel will accommodate in all 26 saloon passengers, The officers’ quarters are located under the bridge. The crew have quarters forward. The vessel is rigged as a fore-and-aft schooner. She has two steering wheels, one aft and the other on the bridge ; also a telegraph for each pair of engines. One of her boats is fitted as a life boat, to swing inboard, and resting in chocks on the bridge. Her engines work b uiulifully, and with great smoothness. Altogether, the Patea is a credit to Mr Mills, and to Wellington as a port.

WANGANUI EDUCATION BOARD. The following items are from flie Chronicle '-eport :—At t!io luneflng’ of tlie above Board, 1 eld on ,\Vt?ducs lay, the 29rh January, there 'were preamt—.Mows W. H. Watt (in the chair), Sanson, • Dmliiej Dalrymple, Jones, Peake, Williams, Hon. W. Fox, and the. Rev. J. Ross. A latga amount of,.correspondence was read by the Secretary, including a numb-r of appdcadons from leachcrs,'and reports from various School Committees.

It was agreed that £IOO by which the Secretary’s salary had be-m increased, should be charged to tlie Building Fund. The sale of the p-essnt Waitotar.-i School and site for £2OO was approved, a_ new school residence to be erected on site granted by the Government, provided the Committee would undertake to purchase two adjoining sections. On account of application tor allowance for house rent for teacher, it was agreed that £2O per year should be allowed where the average attendance of scholars was 25 or miller.

The old Patea Board having before their dissolution sent to various Committees a number of honks, the Soon-taw by instruction, had applied for payment of the same. Letters were, however, received in reply objecting to tins course. These having been read, it was moved by Mr Williams, seconded by Mr Ross, and carried, That the books handed to the several Committees at Patea by tlie late Patea Education Board, be considered a free gift. It was then moved by Mr Dntliie, seconded by Mr Williams, and carried, That application he made to Government for a refund of the amount of £7O paid to Mr Cowern, as Secretary of the Patea Board, and under the circumstances as explained in his correspondence. For the erection of a school at Denlair, £24 was voted, the residents being willing to add £l2.

The Board agreed that if (he Otaki Committee gave their sanction, a room in the school-house could be used as a Public Library. On application f;om the Wanganui Scnool Committee, for a consultation as to_ tlie appointment of Teachers for the High School, the matter was discussed, and ir, was eventually agreed that the Board should first go through the applications, and afterwards confer with the Comittee.

MrsHooy being classed as an assistant, and not having a full certificate, could not he permanently appointed as Head Teacher of the Infant School, and was therefore requested to present herself for examination

next year.

Tenders were ordered to be called for master’s residence at Maxwelltown. In connection with a letter from tlie Committee enclosing a resolution disapproving of certain expressions made use of by the Inspector with regard to tlie Carlyle school children, it was moved by Mr Duthie, seconded by Mr Williams, and carried, That further consideration of the subject bo deferred until the Inspector’s report shall be before the Board. Tender for Karin School was accepted. The Halcotnbe School committee were authorised to obtain plans for increased accommodation for 100 children. For necessary works at Taonui School £3O were granted. Committee not having been elected for Greatford another date was fixed. Resolved., That Miss Philips, teacher of the Hawora School, be transferred to the Wait'dii Sidiool, in accordance with her written desire. Resolved, That the application of Mr Quinlan for appointment to Purewa School bo granted.

It was agreed that if the settlers at Kaitoko ware unable to supplement Mr Thomson's salary; (he Board would endeavor to find him an appointment where he would be more adequately remunerated. It waa agreed that clauses of the Libraries Act bearing upon the Libraries’ grant should he reprinted for circulation ii, school districts. The Chairman reported that the general account was overdrawn £526 ss, and the building account in credit £4O : J 18s. During discussion on the establishment of Training schools for teachers the Chairman mentioned that Government were prepared to grant, £7,000 for this purpose for the colony, £I,OOO of which would be available for ttie Wanganui Board. It was filially resolved to apply to Government for further information as to the present position and functions of training schools in the colony. It was resolved to establish a High School at Feilding or some other central town on the line of railway, the Feilding Corporation to he applied to fora school site and for an endowment. Mr Duthie considered that High Schools should he established at any centres where a class of thirty advanced pupils could he made up. On the motion of Mr Williams, seconded by Mr Dnthm, it was resolved, That in connection with the previous application for a District High School at Carlyle the Secietary now forward the infm iiiation supplied from the Committee to the Minister for Education. It was resolved that teachers desirous of attending 1 University for the purpose of taking a degree he granted leave of absence without salary and without prejudice to their status as teachers. It was resolved that the new committees be notified to hold their first meeting on the 10th of February, at 7 p.m. The fixing of a date for the nomination of candidates to fill vacancies caused by the retirement of Messrs Fox, Sanson, and Williams was deferred for solicitor’s advice. Miss Sanson was appointed assistant teacher to the Sandon School. Mr Dalrymple moved, and Mr Fox seconded, Thar the two vacant scholarships be competed for by all the children in the Board’s schools under ten years of age. After several amendments had been moved and lost, the original motion was put and carried, all the members voting for it except Messrs Duthie, Williams, and Sanson. The Inspector’s Annual Report being read by Mr FonHs, remarks were made upon it, Mr Duthie considering that on account of vague reports which had been circulated, the report should not be immediately adopted. Mr Hanson in moving the adoption of the report, tln nglit it was a mistake for Schools to he .ex •mined ether mi Saturdays or holidays, and that certain little grievances which some teachers thought they had against the Inspector would all disappear as they became better acquainted. Mr Fox, in seconding the adoption of the report, referred to the efficient work carried on during the past year, and considered that charges had been made by those who were hardly qualified to pass, an opinion upon the merits of the Inspector’s work. Air Ross said there was one thing about which there could be no mistake, and that was that the Inspector’s whole heart and soul was in his work. No specific charge had

been brought against the Inspector, or Mr Ross would have urged investigation. Mr Jones considered Ihe Inspector’s report was a plain unvarnished statement of facts,and could not see why its adoption should be postponed. One of tlie most specific charges made to him against Mr Foulis was that that gentleman was a Scotchman, ami the children could not understand him, bur they could not heed such frivolous complaints as these. Mr Peake, Mr Williams, and the Chairman having spoken in favour of the report, the motion for its adoption was put to the meeting and carried. A vote of thanks was" then passed to the Inspector for Ids report, after which the Board adjourned. [Report to be continued.]