TIMARU SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2640, 6 September 1881, Page 2

TIMARU SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

The ordinary meeting of the Timaru Public School Committee for the month was held last evening. Present—Messrs R. B. Walcot (Chairman), Gibson Hart, Reilly, Rowley,'and Hall. ATTENDANCE AT THE SCHOOLS. The minutes of the previous meeting having been confirmed, reports from the head teachers were read, showing that the schools (which wore reopened that day after being closed for three weeks on account of the prevalence of sickness) were attended that day by a total of 667 children, an increase of 70 over the average of last month. A long circular from the Board to the various School Qomraitteea was read respecting the very general falling off in the average attendance at the schools in the district, and the retrenchment which that falling off would necessitate if it continued. The Committees were urged to use their best endeavors to keep up their averages in order to save the Board from the necessity of again reducing the teaching staff. The Chairman stated that as the teaching staff of the Timaru School had been reduced by the resignation of Miss Quinlan, an arrangement had been made with the Board by which the present staff would be redistributed, Miss Quin lan’s place not being filled up ; and that the attendance average for the last month was sufficient to entitle the school to the whole of the present staff. SIDE SCHOOL. The'Chairman stated that he had that day installed Miss Haase as mistress of the Side School. VISITORS. Messrs Hall and Hart were appointed visitors to the Main School, and Messrs Rowley and Jones to the Side School for the current month. ACCOUNTS. Accounts for incidental expenses, amounting to £lO 19s, were passed for payment. BIBLE READING. Mr Reilly brought forward a motion that the Bible bo read in the Timaru Public School at the opening arid close of the day’s proceedings. The Chairman said that while the present Education Act remained in force such a motion would be irregular and useless, and he must decline to put it. The motion also found no seconder. The meeting then terminated.