SCHOOL COMMITTEE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 373, 26 April 1910, Page 8

SCHOOL COMMITTEE

ELECTIONS. CEMTIIAL SCHOUL. About twenty-eight attended the annual met'tiny of householders held at the {'Vulval School last evening. Mv. Fred. Bellringer occupied tile chair. Tile report and balance-sheet was submitted as under: — ,

Schools.—The public -choois under the control of this committee comprise the Central School for girls and bpys, and the Courtenay-strect Preparatory School for little ones of both sexes.

Stjall'.—The stall' since Ist January hist consists of head-master, seven assistants, live pupil teachers, and one probationer, making a total of 14, of whom live have had no .previous teaching experience.

Poll.—Tne school roll again is a record one. being at present 010, as against 503 a year ago. Attendance.—The average daily attendance for the year was 540, against 512 the previous year, being equal to about 00 ; per cent, of the average roll for the year.

Esprit de Corps. —The headmaster reports: "There is an excellent working spirit in all the standards as well as in the infant department, the aim of the headmaster and stall being to make the pupils and their parents .proud of their own school. A considerable number of the children have became real helpers, working cordially and loyally with the teachers in all matters tending to promote an elevated tone/' Successes.—Besides the ordinary .work of the scholars, which at the end of the year secured the promotion of the majority of the pupils, other special successes were obtained, viz., the three prizes offered by his Worship the Mayor for the best essays on "Beautifying New Plymouth," all came to this school, while of the shooting prizes, the Central cadets obtained a satisfactory number.

School Buildings. —The committee refers once more to the fact that the buildings (both Central and Courtenaystreet) are old and ill-arranged, quite out of keeping with modern requirements; and to maintain the schoolrooms and offices' in sanitary condition necessitates constant vigilance and more or less expense.

Syllabus.—This committee endorses the opinion expressed by its predecessor a year ago that the school syllabus is overloaded and might be pruned with great advantage. In the opinion of the committee some of the so-called technical education could well be dispensed with.

Cadets—The cadet companies, Nos. 1 and 2. commanded by Captains Mcllroy and Bocock respectively, have kept up their standard of efficiency during the past year. The recent legislation iwhieh makes service in the cadets compulsory throughout New Zealand will probably give an impetus to a movement of which our respected headmaster was one of the pioneers; and it is hoped that under able control at headquarters drill, discipline and service generally will be made even more interesting and useful to the boys than in the past. The Boy Scouts.—This organisation, zealously promoted at Home by General ■Sir R. S. Baden-Powell, of Mafeking fame, and which in about two years has enrolled over 300.000 youths in all parts of the -Empire, lias been suceessI fully introduced into the Central School j by Mr. Dempsey, at whose instance one ! of our teachers. Mr. Sullivan (now chief scout-master) has devoted his leisure to I the control and training of a number j of patrols now mustering about 50 members. Parents whose bovs have joined the Scouts will already have had opportunities of judging the healthy moral effect of membership; and as the organisation aims at developing all the best qualities and inculcating true manliness, the committee hopes to see the Central | Battalion prosper and become a power for good, not only in the school, but in I the community. With the object of enabling the householders present a't this annual meeting to see, something of the teaching imparted to the Scouts" MessrsSullivan and Mclsaacs, their preceptors, have kindly arranged a short programme to be gone through after the meeting. Bible-reading. The weekly lessons [ out of school hours have beencontinued j throughout the year by the ministers of the town, whose labor of love is much appreciated by many of the parents. Empire Day.—The celebration of 1909 was rendered specially interesting bv the reception and unfurling of the Union ..lack received from old Plymouth in the presence of a large number of the venerable pioneers who landed on these shores from Plymouth, England, 68 years before. I Finance—Special attention is directed to the balance-sheet now submitted. The committee commenced the previous year (1008-1900) with a balance of £lO 3s. and received from the 'Education Board £S9 17s lid. That year closed with a balance of 8s 7d, out of which it was impossible to pay a number of accounts incurred for absolutely necessary requirements in connection with the school. Starting the p:ist year with this balance of 8s 7d ami these outstanding liabilities, we received from the Education Board £BO Bs. say roughly 2s Sd pei- head for the children atemling the school. (The Board draws from the Department a capitation of lis 3d per head for all the children in attendance at the schools throughout the district, and it apportions this in such a manner that the small schools in the country receive up to 7s Gd per capita). That this income is wholly inadequate to meet outgoings, is shown by the fact that the items, cleaning, fuel and repairs, amounted to £BO Gs Gd, loavmg tne committee to provide for any other items essential to the efficient carrying on of our school. It is only through the good offices of our headmaster, and the willing helpers who assisted him to .successfully carry through the Exhibition held a few months ago, that the committee has now been able to adjust accounts, so as to start the current year free of debt, although penniless.

Xn provision exists for carrying on until the fii'sl quarter'.- capitation is paid over about the I'lid of .lime, and the in-, coming committee will have to be prepared to Itiiil the money to pay caretaker's waues. fuel, and any other -.;c-d-

Ed outlay during April, May a::: June. For the last 30 years the Mew Plymouth School Committee has paid its secretary a modest stipend, but it is quite apparent that under existing conditions tins work will have to be done gratuitously or left undone. It goes without saying that school work must be, to some extent, demoralised oy the preparation for entertainments got up to assist in providing free education supposed to be paid for by the State.

Thanks.—The committee desires to testify to the loyal and earnest work of our esteemed headmaster, Mr. Dempsey, and the members of his stall'; and also to the retiring secretary, Mr. C. T. Mills, for his services and the kindly manner in which he has assisted the committee in dealing with the difficult question of an inadequate income. Hearty acknowledgments are also due to the local newspapers and to the many good friends wdio have shown such practical interest in the school during the last year,

The balance-sheet was adopted. The chairman remarked that the report was comprehensive and interesting, and the outgoing committee were to be complimented on the excellent work of the year. Special praise was due to the chairman (.Mr. F. P. Corkill). Mr. C. Wright considered that scholars should know that 'prizes would be forthcoming for good work at the end of the year, lie would like to know if there 'was a prize fund. Mr. Corkill replied that there was no prize fund, but prizes were awarded. The matter had been left in the hands of the headmaster, and not the committee.

Mr. Mcllroy .pointed out that in his classes prizes were awarded at the quarterly examinations. The pupils knew that these prizes were to be given, and did their best to secure them. Prizes were given in all the standards. Mr. Wright proposed that it be a recommendation to the incoming committee to draft a systematic scheme of giving prizes, so as to stimulate scholars to better ellort, but withdrew his proposition on it being pointed out that an efficient system of prize-giving was in vogue.

The question of capitation was discussed, the' chairman remarking that he thought the incoming committee should strongly oppose the present system. The town schools were practically disenfranchised, and householders should endeavor to get better treatment, also better representation on Education Boards..

A discussion ensued respecting the large number of subjects at present included in the syllabus, with the result that scholars only got a smattering of knowledge instead of being well grounded in knowledge that was essential in after life.

Mr. Wright proposed that it be a recommendation to the incoming committee to endeavor to have the syllabus reconstructed by the authorities. Mr. Grant pointed out that he would like to disabuse the minds of householders on this matter. At present many parents seemed to think that the syllabus had been drawn up by the In-spector-General. He understood, however, that the syllabus had been drawn up by a conference of school authorities, teachers, and others. The chairman said that there were not sufficient nmds for sscuring the services of an instructor of gymnastics. Mr. Fookes proposed that it be a recommendation to the incoming committee to have an efficient gymnastic instructor at tne school. The motion was lost.

Votes of thanks were accorded to the outgoing committee, the headmaster and staif, to the clergymen of the town for their services in conducting Biblereading in the school, and to the secretary (Mr. C. T. Mills), who offered his services for the ensuing term gratuitously.

The following were elected the committee for the ensuing year:—Messrs. F. P. Corkill, H. F. Russell, J. Grant. M. Rudd, G. H. McGahey, R. N. Renaud, A. Way, and Revs. F. G. Evans and S. Osborne. A vote of thanks to the chair concluded the meeting. At a subsequent meeting of the new committee Mr. F. P. Corkill was elected chairman and the Rev. Mr. Osborne deputy-chairman.

It was decided that the committee meetings be held on the third Tuesday in each month, at the Council Chambers, at 7.30 p.m.

WEST END SCHOOL. Sixty householders attended the meeting of the vVest End School. This is the biggest meeting ever recorded'since the committee's formation. Mr. Boeocic was voted to the chair. The balance-sheet was submitted and passed. There is a balance of £2O, and concerts brought in £32. The election of the committee resulted as follows-.—Messrs. IT. Gilbert (chairman), W. Gilbert (secretary), J. Morrison, V. 11. Reale, T. Francis, W. J. Bennett, A. E. Martin. J. Johnston, AVm. Evetts, anil F. T. Bacon (the same committee as. for the previous year).

Mr. Gilbert in a brief address outlined the work done 'by the committee during 'the previous year. They had also done all in their power to carry out any promises they had made to parents .at previous meetings.

A letter was received and read from the commanding officer of the Salvation Army, asking permission to instruct the scholars in Bible-reading.—The committee wished it "to be particularly known that they have not at any meeting opposed this step. The chairman was requested to write to the officer of the Salvation Armv to the effect that Mric-

reading would be allowed in I he school, hut only between the hoias ut' S.3U and 8.50 M.in. or :;.:in to I p.m.. as the committee had no power to interfere with .-.chool uovk. Thi- -ami' I'o-'ilui ion was forwarded to the .Ministers' Association at the committee's last-meeting. Future meetings of the committee will be hold on the second Thursday of the month at S p.m.

Votes of thanks were tendered to the chairman, the secretary, and the teachers of the school.

FITZROY. There was a fair attendance of householders at the Fitzroy meeting. Mr. J. Tisch was in the chair. The chairman, in his annual report, stated that the question of latrines had been one of the most important matters dealt with during the year. A committee had been appointed to wait upon the Education Board to place the matter before them and to point out that several parents, being alarmed at the condition of the outhouses, had notified the committee of their intention to take their children away. The Board had therefore erected the new outhouses. Twelve new desks had been placed in the school. Of sixteen scholars who had gone up for the Standard VT. examination, fourteen had passed, seven for competency and seven for proficiency. A piano had been purchased at a cost of £47 10s, for the payment of which entertainments had been organised. There was a credit balance for the year of £4 13s.

The report and balance-sheet were adopted. The headmaster reported that the average attendance for the year was 92.7. He thanked the parents for their co-operation. The cadets, considering that they had to compete with much older children, liad done well in the championship shooting. One boy had secured fourth place in the 100 yds shoot, and three had obtained places in the grand aggregate, Mr. Johnston reported that Tie would do his best to form a. scout patrol. Eulogistic reference was made to the good work done by the headmaster and stall'. Several speakers mentioned the unusual progress made by their children, and a hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Johnston and his assistants.

The secretary reported that the capitation for the ensuing year would be increased by 12s per quarter, but against this therr would be an extra expenditure of £2 per quarter in connection with the now" latrines, which would mean that the committee would be behind this year financially.

The following committee was elected: Messrs. J. Tisch, Lee, Arden, 0. Oxenham. A. Cathro, Coombes, and R. Pepperill. The new committee met after the householders' meeting, Mr. Tisch being re-elected chairman and Mr. R. Pepperill secretary. The matter of horses straying in the school grounds was left in the hands of the chairman to deal with.

Messrs. Tisch, Lee, and Oxenham were appointed a committee to assist the ladies in the conduct of the forthcoming school concerts. The next meeting will take place on Tuesday next.

FRAXKLEY. There were only eighteen householders present at the Frankley Road meeting last night. Mr. A. C. Downes was in the chair.

The report and balance-sheet Avcre adopted. The committee stated that the last year was most eventful. Mr. Fretliey having resigned, Mr. Grant was appointed to the vacant seat. A visiting committee had been appointed for each month until February, Avhen the headmaster was requested to appoint two monitors, who now repor.t direct to the committee, and their reports are of great assistance. Several minor improvements have been effected, but no great work, 'pending the erection of the new school. A grant of £SO was given by the Board towards the levelling of the school site. The Hoard gave the old building to the committee for use as a shelter-shed and gymnasium. The committee intended to convert this into as roomy a building as possible, with a stage and two lobbies. The relations of the committee and staff had been cordial, and opportunity was taken of recording appreciation of the good work 4one under discouraging circumstances by Mr. Winfiekl (headmaster). The roll number is 100, and the average attendance has been 80, an increase of seven and four respectively. The metalled road to Westown and the new school should increase the attendance. The balance-sheet showed a credit of £4 lis od after providing for outstanding accounts, £3 os. A subscription was being raised to meet the expense of school shifting, etc. The senior pupils attended the Technical School one day each week. A branch of the Navy League was formed, and a number of pupils -were enrolled. The idea of raising a patrol of boy scouts had to be abandoned for a time, owing to the difficulty of obtaining a scoutmaster.

The chairman stated that tlio parents had 'complained about the water. Tlu* school tanks had been regularly cleaned out. hut it was impossible to .keep them clean on account of the pine trees. These, however, were now being removed.

A vote of thanks accorded Mr. Winfield for taking round the subscrip-tion-list in aid of diifiing fhc old school. Tlis efforts had already produced ;Ci3 10s Od. A hearty vote of thanks was also accorded the teachers.

TT. Okey, M.P., congratulated the committee on their work, and hoped they would all be re-elected. The election of the committee resulted in the return of Messrs. Orant, New-ell, llendall. Allan, TT. N. Okey.' Downes. and Leighton. The first six were members of the old committee. Mr. Lei'jrUton replaces Mr. Hooker, who has removed to Fitzrov.

At a cnmmii:'"- mei'liu? held a forwards Mr. A. C. Pownes was appointed chairman and secretary. ,•.],,] }[,■. TT. X. Okey treaMirer. The first. Monday in each month was fixed as the meetiii"'dav.

'sTUATFORD. (From Our Resident Correspondent.) Stratford. Last Night. About one hundred and twenty people attended the annual statutory meeting for the election of a school committee to-night. Mr. Cargill was voted to the chair. The annual report and balance-sheet

'—llii' hitter -how a credit of .t'Sl—were read ;m.l auopir.l. Tii,. outgoing committee was wannU eulogized lor ex- | ('client work :;ml th,' great interest, j shown. A beany vnie m' \]\:u\k< was carried by ai< lamathm.

Eleven candidates were proposed, and the ballot disclosed the position in rotes as follows:—Mr. Batey 74, Mr. P. Sicoglund 07, Mr. (i. Smart (17, Mr. Stewart 04, Mr. R. 11. Cameron til), Mr. Clark til), Mr. 0. T>. Sole r,!). Mr. .1. \\; M"eMillan 53. Mr. D. McMillan r>3, Mr. 0. Burgess 42. Mr. A. Xewton :51 The new committee is therefore composed of Messrs. Datey, Skoglumi, .Smart, Stewart, Cameron, Clark. C. D. .501,., and .1. W. and D. McMillan.

At a subsequent meetinn of the committee Mr. C. D. Sole was appointed chairman and .Mr. 11. l\.„„ secretary