KAKARAMEA SCHOOL.

Patea Mail, Volume IV, Issue 399, 12 February 1879, Page 2

KAKARAMEA SCHOOL.

The following is a copy of the report of the Kakaramea School Committee for last year;— Kakaramea, January 30, 1879. The Chairman, Wanganui Education Board. Sir, —By request of the School Committee, I have the honor to report to you upon last year’s proceedings. When this Committee took office, the School was already in . very fair working order, so that our duties have not been heavy. A new easel and black board, additional maps, &c., were required, and provided upon your Inspector’s recommendation. There has been, and still is, great heed for additions to the school and teacher’s residence, and your Board has kindly placed the sura of £BO at our disposal ; plans and specifications were prepared, and approved by your officer, and tenders invited ; one only was received, at a very

high figure, and as there was a gnat scarcity of building material and inbuilt 1 in this district all last winter, the .Coin-' miUee felt it useless to invite fresh' tenders. ... A saw mill has lately been started'in the neighbourhood of the township, and we have given the mi 1 an.order timber (riinu) required, with the intention of providing the mat rial on the ground, and accepting a tender for the labour of erection only, by'which a considerable saving is anticipated. When the improvements are made, the buildings will be very convenient for the number of children (about 37) attending.

The Committee had to issue notices, under the compulsory clauses, to several parents, with the desired, result. , Many children are, vve are pleased to state, voluntarily sent to this school beyond the radius of two miles; some having to come from three to five miles. It is matter for regret that no member ' of the-Committee was present at the school examination ; but the teacher having expressed himself strongly against strangers being present, it was thought best not to run the risk of distracting the attention of the children. It rests with 3’our Board to decide whether committees . should be invited to appoint members to visit the schools during teaching hours, so as to accustom the children to the presence of strangers, in order that they may not be rendered nervous on examination day by the presence of the Committee. The result of the late examination was moderately satisfactory, but not up to, anticipations. Three scholars from this*school passed the examination for certificate,- two of them in a very creditable manner ; but I wish to point out that they were not examined in Physical Geography and the Laws of Health, by which they were debarred from their chance of obtaining 30 marks, as compared with the other candidates in the district. The Inspector,I am informed, had no more papers on those subjects. I would also point out that notification of their being eligible to compete for your Board’s scholarships was not received until after the competition had actually taken place; more strict attention to these matters would have prevented much dissatisfaction.

Military drill is gratuitously taught in this school b3 r the teacher, Mr R.- T, Brown, who is zealous in his advancement of the pupils, and who strives to rendef the school a credit to himself and to the’ district.

The Committee have great pleasure in' reporting that they have worked pleasantly and amicably with "the teacher and with your Board, to whose Secretary, Mr A. A.Browne, their thanks are due for the very’ prompt and business-like manner in which' all communications are attended to, and trust that the good feeling thus engendered

may continue and strengthen.—l am, &c. r Geo. A. March ant, Hon, Sec. Kakaramea School Committee.-