PUKEKOHE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 109, 17 November 1915, Page 2

PUKEKOHE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

The usual monthly meeting of the Pukekohe District High School Committee was held on Monday evening, the members present being the Rev. F. B. Dobson chairtran, and Messrs J. I'ilkington, F. Brown, J. Pattersir, H. Smith, F. Perkins, (J. Roadley, and A. P. Daysb.

TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL SCHEME.

The chxirman reported that he bad written to the Elucation Board in cbniuction with tbe pruptsed establishment of a Technical High School, pointing out thit pending the result cf ttie . forihroming Sixth Standard examinations there woull be a dfiicultv n fu'tiishing tbe names of 40 pupih qualified for attendance at a Technical Hi»h School. He haJ therefore suggested fiat provided t'.ie nc?ssary 40 names were submitted In due cour e th; School fl'ould be authorise), an<l, furthe', that o. ndmg the erection of permanent builliJKS the Masonic Hall should ba uied fit the purpGs • if th ■ Schi I, so tiat a start coul 1 be madi with it next 'term.—l hi Chairman's a? ion was confirms:!.

REV. DOBSON'S RESIGNATION. Th? Kev. Mr Dobson, in vi°.w of his forthcoming departure for Paeroa, tendered his resignation both ae chairman and a member of the Committee. In accepting office a tew months ago as chairman, he said, he had anticipated being in Pukekohe logger tha i would now be tbe case, but he was glad that on leaving the committee the establishment cf a Technical High School, for which he haa laboured, was practically assured.

Mr F. Perkins proposed a vote of thanks to Mr Dobson for h : s past services. Bis departure to I'aeroa would be a loss to the town and particularly to that committee. Mr Dobson bal been a pillar of strength in school matters, and it would be very difficult to replace him.

Mr Pilkington seconded, and referred to ths extreme enthusiasm in educational \rorK that had always b:en displayed by Mr Dobson.

In reply to a suggestion that he should postpone his resignation until the dat? of his departure, Mr Dobson stated that his time would be fully occupied until hs went <iway, and moreover Dia departure might take place before Chustmas. Therefore, he desi ed that his resignation snoulJ be accepted that night. Mr Pattern also bore testimony to Mr Dobson's good work. He remarked that Mr Dobson bad been to the fore in every thing for the uplifting of the child, and he knew of no one who had given so much time to educational matters as Mr Dobson hid done.

Mr Roadley eaiu that Pukekohc wfs losing in Mr Donson a very iocportant and capable resident, and the whole district would sufier by his departure.

Mr Daysh expressed his approval of the remirks of the previous speakers. The motion haying been carri.d Mr Dobson returned thanks, stating that he would bok back with pleasure ti his wi-rk on the committee and his association with the members. NEW CHAIRMAN. The Rev. Mr Dobson having retired, Mr Pilkington presided pro tem. Mr Brown then proposed that Mr Perkins should be the new chair-, man of tbe Committee. Mr Roadley seconded. Mr Perkins doubted whether he would be able to give the necessary time to the duties and proposed that Mr Pilkingtoi should be elected chairman. Mr Pilkicgtnn expressed his desire to stand down in Mr Perkins' favour, and the latter then accepted nomination on the understanding that he would, if electef, only occupy the chair until the next annual meeting. Mr Perkins' election was unanimously tgreeil to, and he then took the chair, expressing thanks for the confidsnce reposed in him. APPOINTMENT OF SECRETARY. Mr Pilkington was appointed secretary, the duties having previously been carried out by Mr Dobson as chairman. NEW MEMBER CO-OPTED. Mr Roadley moved that Mr C. K. Lawrie should be appointed as a member of th 3 Committee to fill the vacancy caused by the Rev. Dobson's resignation. Mr Patterson asked whether there was any necessity to fill the vacancy.

Mr Roadley retorted that it was sot a question of necessity, but of advisability. Mr Patterson: 1 did rot ask Mr Koadley to answer me.

Mr Daysh seconded the nomination of Mr Lawrie.

Ur Patterson moved as an amendment that Mr P. Jackson Bhould be appoionted. He explained tbat in the case of a vacancy it was customary to elect the .highest 'of the candidates that bad been unsuccessful at the poll at the Householders' meeting, and Mr Jacksou was that person. Mr Pilkington seconded. On a vote Mr Jatkson received the support of Messrs Pilkington, Brown, Patterson and Srith and was elected. INSPECTOR'S REPORT. Keports were recived, from tha respective Inspectors in regard to the Secondary Department and the Public School. The Inspector, deßling wuh the S;condaty Department, reported that out of 24 pupils (10 bovs and 14 girls) on the roll, 23 were present at tbe time of bis visit. More than three-fourtbs of tbe pupils came from outside tbe school district, viz., from north to Papakura, south to Pokeno, east to Bombay and neat to Mauku. Satisfactory methods of instruction were employed with an equally satisfactory degree of skill, thnughtfulness and earnestness. The jujnls were very attentive and appeared to be keenly interested in their work.

Repotting on the Public School, 254 pupils being present out of a r. ll Lumber of .114, the Inspector said Itnt th 3 work of the school was satisfactory, excc'pt in Stand-

arda 2 and 3, where the reading was only fair, composition unsatisfactory and arithmetic weak. In Standards 4 and 5 tbe English subjects and arithmetic needed attention. Strenuous effort* should be made to bring ibe work of Standards 2—6 up to tbe standad r; quired in a sch ol of that size. ] Order, discipline and behaviour was satisfactory excail in Standards 2 atid 3, where the discipline was weak and tbe tone of the class poor.

The reports were formally received, and it was explained that subsequent to tbe report a new teacher had been appointed to the charge of Standards 2 a d 3.