TEMUKA DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1305, 19 February 1885, Page 2

TEMUKA DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL.

1 The usual monthly meeting; of the ijaboye Committee was held last Tuesday 'evening in Mr K. F. Gray’s office. Present Messrs J, T. M. Hayhurst (Chairman), Bolton, Blyth, Gray, Lee and Miles. MINUTES. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed, CORRESPONDENCE. , , The Head Master reported aS follows ; —“ The Chalrmrn Temuka School Committee— Sir, 1 have the honor to submit the following report for the month ending 31st Jan., 1885:—Number on roll: Boys, 194; girls, 147; total, 341. Strict average attendance: Boys, 128.8; girls, 90 ; total, 218.8. Working average attendance : Boys, 137.8 ; girls, 93 ; total, 230.8. I desire to draw your attention to the paucity of pupils studying the secondary subjects, as seen below : Latin, 3 boys and 4 girls, total, 7. French, 2 boys and 5 girls, total, 7 ; mathematics, 6 boys,” Correspondence was read , , From the South Canterbury Board of Education, advising that certain sums of money had been placed to the credit of the Committee, and enclosing names of candidates for election to the Board. From Messrs John Talbot and M. Gray consenting to be nominated as members of the Board. 1 ' • r From Mr D, Shawj Chairman of the Geraldine Flat School Committee, asking the Committee to vote for Mr K. H. Postleth waite. From Mr N. Dunlop, Chairman of the Geraldine School Committee, asking the Committee to vote for Messrs Gray, Talbot and Foster. From ths Stationmastsr, Temuka, asking that tbs children should be kept in the school half an hour later every evening until tha express train had passed. From Mr E. W. Qurr, second master, enclosing a copy of reply to the Board re his salary, in which be protested against tho deduction made in his salary. From Mr B. D. O’Halloran, as follows To the Chairman.—Dear Sir,-1 regret very much having to tender you my resignation as a member of the Committee of the Temuka District High School. It has been reported to the PostmasterGeneral by a resident of Temuka (who,, however, omitted to attach hia signature) that my candidature and election as a member of the Committee has given very great offence to a large section of the community. The Postmaster-General considers that under these circumstances it is advisable that I shall withdraw from the Committee.—l am, etc., B. D, O’Halloran.” MISCELLANEOUS. Mr Gray proposed, and Mr Blyth seconded—“ That Messrs M. Gray, Talbot and Bruce be nominated.” Mr J. W. Miles proposed, and Mr Bolton seconded, as -an amendment- “ That Messrs M. Gray, Talbot,; and Postleth waite be nominated.” The amendment was carried. The Stationraaster’s letter was then considered, and it was resolved, on the motion of Mr Blyth, seconded by Mr Lee —“ That the Chairman arrange with the Head Teacher with regard to keeping the children in the school until after the express train has passed.” As regards Mr Qurr’s letter, it was decided to intorm him that the Committee would leave the matter in the bands of the Board of- Education: SECONDARY EDUCATION. Further communications from the Head Master were read, in one of which he recommended that the Committee should advertise that secondary education was given in tha school. The Chairman said the master had pointed out to him that the secondary subjects could not be well attended to while the children were attending to their ordinary work. Mr Gray thought that only children who bad passed the 6th Standard ought to take'up the secondary subjects. Mr Bolton said the result of this would be that the school would be neglected on account ot these secondary subjects. The bead master could not attend to both. Mr Gray believed it would prove » great boou to the district to have a High School. Mr Bolton: Did not the late master attribute the failure in some of the Standards to the teaching of the secondary subjects ? Mr Lee said very few could afford , tha secondary subjects. He should bo very glad to see it a success, but he did not see why 200 or 300 children should suffer for the few learning secondary subjects. Mr Gray thought it would be a very great mistake to disrate the school. Mr Bolton said the pupils attending the secondary subjects had fallen off. A second master could not teach so well as the head master. The Oha : rman said that it would not be a success until they got another master. Mr Blyth said very few were attending at this time last year. More would probably attend after harvest. Mr Gray moved—“ That an advertisement be inserted in tho local paper intimating that secondary subjects are now taught in the school and soliciting pupils.” Mr Blyth seconded the motion. Mr Bolton moved as, an amendment—- “ That the Committee, believing that the teaching of secondary subjects acte unjustly towards the large msjority of children attending school, consider it advisable that the Temuka District High School be disrated, and that the Committee take steps to attain that end." , , The amendment finding no esebnder fell through, and Mr Gray’s motion was carried. Mr Bolton said he believed a petition te disrate the school would bo in existence before long. VISITOR’S REPORT. Mr Gray said that ho had been, with Mr O’Halloran, apuointed visitor last month. He had visited the school, and finding the pump out of repair had ordered Messrs. Henry and Findlay to repair it. Around the school wanted shingling, and he would move—“ That an application be made to the Board for £5 to do it.” He believed £4 or £5 would do the work.—Mr B’yth seconded the motion and it waa carried. Mr Gray also reported that the pipes in the lavatory, required repairing.—lt was decided to repair them. accounts. Accounts to the amount of £6 12b lOd were passed for payment. UK O’HALLORAN’S RESIGNATION. Mr Gray moved—“ That MrOHallorm’* resignation be received with regret, and that this Committee express their ay> preciation of hie services in the past. |

Mr Mil« did not think that strong •nough. They ought to express their displeasure at the course adopted in stronger terms than those. Mr Lee moved as an amendment—- “ That we beg to record our sincere regret at the loss of so valuable a member of the Committee as Mr O'Hulloran, who, as a committee-man for the past two years, has omitted no opportunity of promoting the welfare of the school. The Comniittee view with indignation the Writer of the anonymous and untruthful communication to the Postmaster-General, and in order, if possible, to ascertain the author—also to refute the statement therein contained—the Chairman be requested to write to the PostmasterGeneral asking him to be good enough to : forward the original for the Committee’s perusal; and that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the PostmasterGeneral.” ' Mr Gray did not think it was th* Committee’s business to take up the cudgels in that way. Mr Lee said if anonymous letters were going to be allowed there would be ho safety tor any one. They ought to be put a stop to. Mr Miles was surprised at the Post-hmster-Qeneral taking notice of an anonymous letter. Mr Bolton thought it was the duty of the Committee to assert that the letter waa opposed to the wishes of a large section of the community. The PostmasterGeneral evidently believed that the letter was correct* and it was their business to assert that the statement in the letter was false. Mr Gray did not think it was their business to do anything of the kind. Mr Bolton said he would second the amendment. It wss only right that they should expose the writer of the letter. At the election of the Committee a householder' who could neither read nor write gave a voting paper to a certain person to fill up for him. He asked the person to givfe him (Mr Bolton) five votes, but the person gave the votes to the opposite party, and wont about boasting of it. The individual thus took advantage of the man’s inability to read or write to ’defraud him out of his right to vote. It was a mean, dirty action, and the person perpetrating it made it worse by going about boasting of It. It was msn like this who would be guilty of writing the anonymous letter. Mr Gray said that no doubt Mr O'Halloran had seen the letter, and could guess at the writer. Mr Bolton said his hands were tied through being a Government servant, and he could do nothing, Mr Gray did not see how it was the business of the Committee to enter into the quarrel. As a Committee they had nothing to do with anything except the resignation of Mr O’Halleran, Mr Lee said it was the business of the Committee to refute the false statement made in the letter to the effect that the public were offended at Mr O'Halloran’s election. Mr Gray : If the public feel aggrieved, let the public take it up. Mr Blyth did not agree with the amendment. He would second Mr Gray’s motion. After some further discussion to . the eame effect, the Chairman put the amend- - ment, and Messrs Lee and Bolton voted for it, and Messrs Gray and Blyth against it. Mr Miles did not vote either way. The Chairman, finding that both sides were equal, voted for the amendment, and declared it carried. The Chairman said the next business was to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Mr O’Halloran. Mr Bolton suggested to hold it over until they had heard from the PostmasterGeneral. The Chairman thought no good would be done by following that course. After some further conversation, Mr Bolton moved—“ That Mr Brown be elected to the vacant seat, and that failing his acceptance Mr D. Henry, being the next highest, fee elected.”—Mr Lee seconded the motion, and it was agreed to. NOTICE OF MOTION. Mr Bolton give notice that at next meeting he would move “That the Presbyterian Church, Temuka, be allowed to continue to hold their Sunday School in the Temuka District High School for the consideration of £lO per annum, payable quarterly, commencing from April 1, 1885, the Committee paying all charges for cleaning, etc., three months’ notice to be given on either side to terminate this arrangement; and that failing their acceptance of these terms the school be closed or lotto any other denomination on the same terms.” Mr Blyth said that was tantamount to -turning them out. Sunday Schols had no money to pay away. Mr B( Iton said the Committee exacted from parents of children fuel money, while they were throwing revenue away this way. Every School Committee charged for the use of their School. The Waitohi Committee charged every denomination that made use of their school. Mr Gray, as Treasurer of the Presbyterian Church, could contradict that. The Chairman said it would be better to held the matter over until next meeting and the matter dropped. VISITORS. Messrs Lee and Bolton were appointed Tisitors for the ensuing month, and the meeting adjourned.