SCHOOL COMMITTEE ELECTIONS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1299, 5 February 1885, Page 3

SCHOOL COMMITTEE ELECTIONS.

GAPES’ VALLEY. The annual meeting of householders of the Gapes’ Valley district was held on Monday, January 26th, Mr W. M. Moore being in the chair. The minutes of the last annual meeting were read and confirmed, and then the report of the outgoing Committee was read, of which the following is a summary “ The Committee since taking office have held twelve meetings. A considerable amount of work has been dona during the year in connection with repairs and improvements to the school buildings and grounds. Spouting has been put up, a 400-gallon tank provided, a new wood shed built, the plantation fenced in and more trees planted, and the fence* trimmed and repaired. The Board have provided a further supply of furniture and maps, which were much wanted. The school has been insured, and as the policy expires on Feb. 15fch next, the Committea recommend that it be renewed. The Committee wish to urge upon the parents the necessity of the children arriving at the school at the proper hour of the morning, as the teacher cannot be expected lo educate children properly, nor can the children keep up the regular course of study, if they come in the middle of the day’s work, or stay away altogether. The average attendance during the year has been 28. The Board having decided to interpret the aided schools regulations in a manner different from that they have hitherto done, have now decided not to allow us capitation grant on more than 24 enildren, instead of as heretofore on all the children attending the school, their reason being that when the attendance reaches 25 they can themselves take over the management of the school. The Committee having considered the matter carefully, recommend that the Board be requested to take over the management of the sohool, and to retain the services of the present teacher. At the request of the Board a formal agreement has been entered into with the teacher to commence on January Ist, 1885. The school was examined on December 10th, and although the percentage of passes was not so great as in previous years, owing to the failure of Standard IF., the general remarks of the Inspector were satisfactory, especially those referring to sewing, singing, order, discipline, and the general tone of the school. The Committee wish to give Miss Buck their hearty thanks for the attention and energy she has always shown, and for the excellent way she has kept up the order and dicipline of the school, these being matters of great importance. The accounts have been audited by the Board and found correct. The receipts, including a balance from last year of £ls 3s B£d, amount to £l4B Is 9£d ; the expenses to £145 15s Id, leaving a balance in hand of £2 6s B£d. The Inspector’s report on the examination and classification of scholars will be read to you. (Signed) Walter M. Mooee, Chairman.” The report and balance-sheet as read was adopted. The Inspector’s report, the agreement with the teacher, and an estimate of the next year’s receipts and expenditure (based on a capitation of 24 children) were also read to the meeting, and, after some discussion, it was proposed by Mr Davis, seconded by Mr Wells, and carried —“ That the Board be requested to take over the school as soon as the necessary arrangements can be made.” The election of the new Committee was then proceeded with, the following nine persons being nominated Messrs Stowe, Moore, Boutoher, Townsend, Gapes, Cameron, Wells, Groves, and Davis. Messrs Stowe and Boutoher were appointed scrutineers. The voting resulted in the election of Messrs Gapes, Stowe, Boutoher, Cameron, Moore, Davis, and Townsend. At the subsequent meeting of the new Committee Mr W. M. Moore was ; re-elected Chairman and Secretary, and Mr ’ Gapes, Treasurer. SOOTSBTJRN. A meeting of householders was held in the schoolroom at Scotsburn on Monday, Jan. 26th. Mr W. B. Barker was voted to the chair. The report and balance-sht et of the retiring Committee was delivered by Mr R. livine, and approved. A letter was then read by the Chairman from the schoolmaster in explanation of the cause of the small number of passes obtained at the last examination. After a desultory conversation, it was proposed that the meeting he tested as to the advisability of continuing the master’s services, to be taken as a recommendation to the incoming Committee. The show of hands was in favor of his services being retained. The Chairman’s notice was drawn to the fast that many who had voted had no children attending the school, but ha ruled that as householders they had a right to vote. The Committee drew the householders’ attention lo the fact that they could take no notice of complaints against the master unless they were laid before them at their meetings. There was a large attendance of householders, and the election of the new Committee was then proceeded with, with the following result: —B. Thew 30, W. B, Barker 24, J. Bae 18, T. Pitbie 14, A. Langford 12, 0. Adams 11, W. Hanford 10, B. Whittou 9, S. Salt 8, J. Dean 6, W. Smith 6, J, Bull 4, W. Turton 4, F. Newman 3, E. Lorgelly 0. informal 1. The first seven were declared duly elected. A hearty vote of thanks was carried to the retiring Chairman, Mr Robert Irvine, who had held the post for so many years, and regret was expressed that he could not undertake it again this year. On the motion of Mr R. Thew, a vote of thanks was proposed to the ladies who had so kindly conducted the sewing class instituted by the late Mrs W. F. Bark r in connection with the school, and the acclamation with which it was carried showed how greatly their kindness and self-denial were appreciated by those present. A vote o r thanks to the Chairman closed the meeting. A meeting of the new Committee was held immediately afterwards, at which all were in attendance. Proposed by Mr B. Thew, seconded by Mr J. Pithie - “That Mr W. E. Barker be Chairman.”— Canied. Proposed by Mr J- Ban, seconded by Mr J. Pithie, and carried—” That the Chairman and Mr R. Thew be authorised to sign all cheques on behalf of the Committee.” It was agreed that the meetings be held on the first Monday in every alternate month. The consideration of other business was postponed, owing to the lateness of the hour, till Monday, the Ist of February.