SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 43, 19 February 1913, Page 7

SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

j MONTHLY MEETING. The Committee met hist evening, I when there wore present: Messrs. P. i Skoglund (ohairman), S. Clark, J. ; W. McMillan, J. W. Boon, G. Smart, | T. C. Fockes, A. Stewart, J. W. B. Jones, and E. W. Hancock. HEA DM ASTER’S REPORT. The average attendance for last year, though considerably reduced by the epidemic of mumps which was in the district from July to October, was (328. Wo have admitted for the current year 157 pupils— 92 in the primary and 65 in the secondary department. The yearly average in our secondary department was 113—an attendance for which we have been able to secure the services of Miss Jackson as additional assistant teacher. In the primary school, the staff remains unaltered in number. The results of the annual public examination, published towards the end of January, show that the work of the school is in a satisfactory condition. Full details of marks gained, etc., will he to hand during the month ; and f hope to lay before you at your next meeting a fuller report showing how the work of our pupils compares with that done in the other educational districts. I may say here, however, that the work done by our pupils, taking the rural course in our secondary department, was very pleasing to me. This rural, or rather science, course of work is becoming deservedly popular Of the 65 pupils admitted this year, 42 have selected this course of work; and'the fact that we have on our j staff, at last, a lady qualified to teach j science subjects will add still further j to its popularity. During the holidays, rats damaged j most of our cadet uniforms. These j were left in cupboards in the drill-1 shed. Very few of the uniforms are. left'undamaged, and many are completely destroyed. I THE PICNIC. In regard to the recent picnic, the Chairman stated that the Railway Department had made a claim upon the Committee for £l3 2s 5d for the oversale of adult tickets. Mr Skoglund stated that he had interviewed the Traffic Manager and had also written him explaining that the Committee had sold a number of adults two scholars’ tickets as they had run out of the higher-priced tickets. It appeared, however, that some of the purchasers had presented only one oi i these while in the train, but as the fault evidently was th’e guards’ in accepting these, the Committee could hardly bo held responsible. Mr Skoglund added that the- Department had not so far replied to his communication, but he did not anticipate any difficulty in having the -matter satisfactorily settled. Mr Stewart brought up the advisability of arranging with the Railway Department re children’s and adults’ tickets, and having the matter fixed up for the future. He instanced the ishuo of tickets at reduce rates on die occasion of race meetings, etc., and stated that ho could not sec why the same arrangement could not he made for their picnic. Any number of excursion tickets were issued at 2s 6d to New Plymouth on these occasions and the same price for the picnic should he arranged for in the future. Mr Clark said lie would bring the matter up before the Druids’ Lodge. It appears that Is 3d was the price charged for children to E riendly Societies, and the Chairman remarked that the extra 3d would not he felt much except in the case of large families. The Committee were of opinion that if an arrangement as suggested was in force for the future, it would he much more satisfactory to all concerned, and would obviate the chances of any difficulty arising, such as had occurred. The Chairman moved that a donation of two guineas he made to the East End Committee. Seconded by Mr Clark. An amendment, moved by Mr Stewart,- and seconded by Mr Boon, that the amount he one guinea, was lost, and the motion carried. In answer to questions, the, Clerk reported that if the claim by the | Railway Department had not to be i met, there would he a sum of £IS j to credit, upon which there was a- j subsidy of £ for £. It was resolved to write thanking j the Stratford Co-operative Dairy Company for the free supply of milk for \ the picnic. general. On the motion of Messrs Eookes and Clark, it was decided to procure a gold medal for presentation to Mus-1 ter L. C. Mail in commemoration of i being the first Taranaki Scholar to obtain a University Junior Scholar-j ship. Xu regard to the damaged uniforms, i the Chairman will interview the head-, master and report. ihe Visiting Committee reported . that the buildings and grounds were j in good order. Various matters of! detail mentioned at last meeting had : been attended to. Messrs Hancock and Jenes were inpointed \ isiting Committee ter t• '' j ensuing month. ACCOUNTS. The following accounts were pan for payment: —R. B. Anderson 13 3 ; Jos. \V. Boon. 6s 6:1 : J. Me( luunage. !:; f)d; Newton King ( frr.it'), £2 5r ; Stratford Post, £1 10s; IC’l . ■■