HOUSEHOLDERS' MEETINGS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 272, 27 April 1915, Page 3

HOUSEHOLDERS' MEETINGS.

SCHOOL COMMITTEE ELECTIONS. CENTRAL SCHOOL. The annual looting of householders for the election of a committee for New, Plymouth Central was held last evening. Mr. F. C. Bellringer presided over a small attendance. The annual report was unanimously adopted.. Onlj- nine gentlemen (the required number) were nominated for the committee, and they were duly declared elected—namely, Bcvs. T. 11. Itosev'eare and A. B. C'bappcll, and Messrs T. Hardgraves, 11. T. Griffiths, W. 11. Short, S. (j; Smith, G. H. Dolby, F. Coleman, and A. Milne. Votes of thanks were accorded the outgoing committee, and particularly to Mr. C. T. Mills for his long services as secretary; to Mr. Deiupsey and his staff; and to the members of the ministers' Association. Mr. Smith replied on behalf of the school committee, and Rev. A. B. Cliappell responded 011 behalf of the ■Ministers' Association.

Mr. Smith referred to flic proposal lo , alter the Education Board boundaries, and he declared that, in' his. r;■::> they would yet have to fight h.r.d . , preserve the Tarunaki Education district. He had one important matter to bring forward, and that was the question of compulsory continuation classes. To put the compulsory clause of the Ac't into force they would have to make application to the Education Board. The outgoing committee had decided in favor of doing so, but in common with other schools they had decided to first bring the matter before the householders' meeting. Attendance at these classes would be compulsory for children between the ages of 14 and 17, and the only two compulsory subjects were English and ariHimctic. The children were only compelled to attend foilr hours weekly for 31) weeks of the year. Any child residing over two miles from the' school was not compelled to attend. He moved that it be a recommendation to the incoming committee to approach t>.s Taranaki Education Board with a view to bringing into operation the regulations of the' compulsory clause of the Education Act regarding continuation classes. Mr. A. Milne seconded.

Jlr. C. T. Mills opposed the motion. The free technical classes were available for those who wished to make use of them, while others, perhaps, would wish to send their children to some employment.

Mr. Dolby considered that they were almost all agreed on the advisability of continuation classes. Everyone agreed that no child had completed its education at the age of fourteen years. The only questions to he decided were the advisability of compulsory education and particularly in the case of girls. The Rev. A. B. Chappell said he had seen the compulsory clause working satisfactorily at Feilding. lie agreed with Mr. Dolby; they had to look after the education of the children in the interest. of the State, and even in some cases to protect those children from the parents and make sure of their education.

Mr. Smith said that only a portion of the children would have to attend nt th<s Technical College. The motion was then put, and carried with only one dissentient. The meeting concluded with votes of thanks to. Mr. Corkill for the loan of a ballot box and to the chairman for presiding.

At the following meeting of the committee, Mr. S. J. Smith was reappointed chairman, the Rev. T. 11. Roscveare de-puty-chairman, Mr. C. T. Mills secretary (temporarily), and Mr. Griffiths treasurer. The meeting night was fixed for the second Tuesday in every month.

On the motion of Mr. Dolby, seconded by tlie Rev. A. B. Chappell, it was decided to forward the resolution regarding compulsory classes to the board.