GISBORNE SCHOOL.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1256, 23 January 1883, Page 2

GISBORNE SCHOOL.

Thb annual public meeting of householders in accordance with Section 64 of the Education Act, was held at the school-house at half-past 7 o’clock last night. There was a large attendance, and considerable interest was manifested in the proceedings. On the motion of Mr D. Johnston, Mr C. DeLautour was voted to the chair. He read the advertisement convening the meeting, and explained the object for which it had been called, The minutes of the last annual meeting were read and confirmed. The report of the outgoing Committee was then read by the Secretary, Mr F. J. Piesse, which was as follows :— Annual Report of the Gisborne District School Committee for the Year 1882. Your Committee, in presenting this, their annual report for the past year, are pleased to state that the school under their control has maintained the premier position among all the schools in the Hawke’s Bay Education District. This position is due to the high state of efficiency into which the school has been brought by Mr Morgan, the Head Master, and his able staff of assistants. The gold medal, the gift of Mr H. S. Tiffen, has been won by one of the pupiL attending the school—Miss Mary Hall, who has certainly reason to be proud of the success she has attained. Mr Tiffen himself has addressed a letter to the Committee, congratulating the school on obtaining such an honor. Miss Hall has since been appointed a pupil teacher. The attendance at the school has continued to increase, the number on the register being 340, of whom 170 were presented for examination, with the result that 169 passed. The murks obtained were 6779 out of a possible 7960, being a fraction over 85 per cent. The annual distribution of prizes was made at the breaking up of the school. They were awarded on the basis of the Inspector’s report, the examination having taken place so recently. Owing to the liberal manner in which the public subscribed for this praiseworthy object, either in money or books, &c., the Committee were in a position to award a large number of gifts to the children. Mr James Browne gave a prize of a silver watch for the best essay on a subject selected by himself, and several others also gitts for special purposes. To each and all of these the Committee desire to tender their hearty thanks. Additions have been made to the teacher’s dwelling, which now provides that accommodation which was a long felt want.

Tne necessity for increased school accomodation has been urged upon the Board. The infants department eapeciallv is overcrowded This inconevenince it is confidently expected will be remedied ere long. The proportion of Maori and half-caste scholars attending the school is somewhat large, there being 50 of the former and 16 of the latter, This indicates the high estimation in which the parents hold the benefits accruing to their children by receiving their early training with Europeans.

No opportunity has been lost in keeping the subject of a High School before the Board. Although no material success has as yet attended the efforts of your Committee it is confidently expected that secondary education will be properly provided for in Cook County within a reasonable period. Additions have been made during the past year to the School Library. The children’s concert, having for its object the raising of funds for this purpose, was eminently successful, the nett proceeds being £46. The children also gave a concert in aid of the Hospital funds, which was a success, thanks to the careful training they had received under Mr Bull, the second master. On Thursday next the children are to be entertained at Te Hapara, Mr W. L. Rees having generously invited them all to - a treat at his residence. Parents will join the Committee in tendering their thanks to Mr and Mrs Rees for such liberality on their part. The audited accounts for the past year are presented herewith.

D. Johnston, Jr., Chairman. The audited accounts for 1882 were then submitted to the meeting, and were considered most satisfactory. Mr E. Woon moved the adoption of the report, sqeaking in flattering terms of the action of the Committee during the past year. Tbe motion was seconded by Mr Morgan Morris, and carried with acclamation. The Inspector’s report was tabled, but as it had appeared in print iu the local papers, it was considered as read.

A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the outgoing Committee, on the motion of Mr M. Hall, seconded by Mr E. K. Brown. The election of a committee for the ensuing year was then proceeded with.

Mr File expressed an opinion that as such good results had attended the action of the present Committee, it would be well to reelect them.

The Chairman, however, pointed out that he was bound to accept any eligible proposals. The nominations then took place with the result that the following sixteen names were duly proposed and seconded, besides a number of others who declined to act, viz.:— Messrs D. Johnston, H. Lewis, R. Hill Fisher, D. Murchie, J. Sigley, H. McKay, A. Y. Ross, J. W. Nolan, H. J. Finn, M. Hall, Haughey, Shelton, G. R. Moore, W. Good, A. Taylor, and Dr Pollen.

On the motion of Mr Good, seconded by Mr Hall, Messrs VV. Adair and E. K. Brown were appointed scrutineers. The voting then took place with the following result :— A, Y. Ross 33 -I. W. Nolan ... ... 32 D. Johnston 31 M. Hall 29 H. McKay 24 J. Sigley ” 23 Dr Pollen 23

These seven gentlemen being the highest on the poll, were declared duly elected by the Chairman. The record for the other candidates was Lewis, 22 ; Fisher, 22 ; Murchie, 21; Taylor, 15; Shelton, 14; Moore, 14; Finn, 13; Good, 12; and Haughey, 3,

Mr W, Ratellffa was re-ehtyted honorary auditor*

A vote of thanks to the Chairman brought the proceedings to a close. CoMMITTIK MeJSTING,

The first meeting of the newly elected Committee was then held, Mu J. W. Nolan in the chair.

The advertisement calling the meeting having been read, Mr Ross proposed, and Dr. Pollen seconded, that Mr D. Johnston, Jr., be re elected Chairman of the Committee. Carried nem. dis.

On the motion of Mr D. Johnston, seconded by Mr McKay. Mr F. J. Piesse was reelected Secretary to the Committee. The meeting* of the Committee were fixed as heretosore for the first Wednesday in the month, and the meeting separated.