Te Aroha School Committee.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXII, Issue 42781, 21 September 1905, Page 2

Te Aroha School Committee.

An ordinary meeting ofthoTo Anna School 'Committee was held on Tuesday evening last. Present: Messrs. T. Mclndoe, (chairman) Rov. 15. M. Cowie, Geo. Sherlock, J. B. Johnson, J. R. Stanley, Wm. Hill, (.scoretury). Minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. The number on the roll for tho month of July was 231). Average attendance 194. For tho month of August, roll number wan 231, the average attendance being 197. Although during August the number on the roll wus less than that of the preceding month, yet tho average attendance was higher, but always seemed to fall just two or three short of the required 200, which, if reached as a permanent average attendance, would enable them to have another male assistant. The Chairman said that it "rested almost entirely with the parents to enable them to provide this, hut he thought that the Committee should make some sort of demonstra-;, don to make parents send their children to school. These are, the Chairman said, some parents who only send their children often enough to come within the prescribed limit.. Another drawback which they would soon, feel would bo the opening of the Mangaiti school, when they would lose a number of: Maoris and ether •scholars. * Mr Cowie proposed that a vote 'of thanks', be conveyed to Miss Hams for kindly assistingthem during the illness of one of the teachers.. This motion was carried unanimously. The Secretary reported that all requirements', of the Board have been fulfilled, and proceeded, to read a list compiled by the head teacher, of: science apparatus to replace that destroyed! by the fire. The list detailed a varied assortmen ot apparatus, barometer, air-pump,, magnets, etc, totalling to the value of £lOl3B- - The science apparatus destroyed by fire waft tho result of several years of collection by means of concerts, lectures, subscriptions, etc. Mr Sherlock moved that the Board of Education be requested to supply the Committee with the science apparatus. This motion was carried. The work done by Mr Agnew in connection with the lawn was referred to, and the Chairman stated that he thought it very satisfactory. The question of door stops was then raised.. fhe particular stop in question is an efficient, irrangement whereby a small contrivance fitted to the bottom of any door, enables it tobe firmly fastened at any point between shut, and full open. One of these stops had been fixed at ,the school some time ago by am Auckland firm, and was evidently working' satisfactorily. It was proposed by Mr Sherlock and carried,, that the Secretary be authorised to obtain the: requisite number of door stops. It was also' decided that tho Works Committee attend torequisite repairs to the flagstaff guy ropes,, which are breaking away* It was stated that the rain was washing away the embankment from the tennis court. The Chairman suggested cutting a trench along the top to prevent water running om from the Jroad above. Mr Sherlock was of opinion that in heavy rains the trench would he of little use, until the asphalting was done: the trench would then be sufficient to take off any water coining down the hank. Mr Johnson thought they could arrange this best by inspection. The matter was accordingly left to the Works Committee. Two tenders were then submitted for cutting down five large trees in the school enclosure as follows: —Agnew, £2 10s, Dudley, £3. Mr Agnew’s contract was accepted. ■ The question of insurance was then discussed, and being decided that it would he unwise to run any risks, in connection with the removal of the trees, Mr Johnson moved that the contractor who cut the trees down be insured for two weeks in the New Zealand Accident Insurance Co. at a cost not exceeding 10s. This was carried. With regard to the removal of one of the conveniences, it was agreed to authorise the removal of the building for 30s if the Board would contribute that sum. After the passing of two accounts—Mr Agnew, £3 3s, P. Baine, £4 Is 6d, the business concluded.