TEMUKA DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1381, 20 August 1885, Page 3

TEMUKA DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL.

The usual monthly meeting of the above Committee was held last Tuesday evening. Present Messrs Ilayhurst (Chairman), Blyth, Bolton, Brown, Gray, and Lee. MINUTES. The minutes of the prefious meeting were read and confirmed. HEAD MASTER'S REPOKT. The Head Master reported that the average attendance was : Bovs, 196 ; girls, 150 ; total, 346. Strict average attendance : Boys, 108 ; girls, 74,7 ; total, 182.7. Working average : lV>ys, 128 ; girls, 92 ; 3 ; total 220.8. Highest attendance, 240. The Head Master also requisition the Committee for scyeral articles required in the school, and a resolution authorising the Secretary to obtain them was carried. The Chairman called attentiou to the marked decrease in the attendance, and itv»as resolved—" That Mes.-rs Blyth and Gray be appointed visitors lor the. ensuing month, and ascertain, with the assistance of the He»d Master, the names of the absentees, with power to act." CORRESPONDENCE. The following letter was read : "Temuka, August 11th, 1885. "To the Chairman and Members of Temuka School Committee. " Gentlemen, Allow mo to draw your attention to a matter that requires a little seeing to. My son John since he has come from school this evening has done nothing but cough up to the time of his going to bed. On enquiring if he had been sitting on the damp ground or taking his coat off, he said that he had done neither, but the windows and doors were open in the room where he was being taught, and that he was sitting in a great draught most of the afternoon which has given him a cold and cough. I think, gentlemen, that if the teachers were spoken to about it it would not occur again. Of course, while our children are at school, the teachers are for the time being acting as parents, and should exercise discretion in such matters. '• While I am writiug 1 may as well mention that I think it would be well for the morals of the children if thero was a teacher left in charge of the boys during play hours, so as to act as a check on the slang and bad language that is used. I recollect that the late Mr Rowe used to take a delight in teaching the boys how to play, as well as doing his duty to them in their studies. I feel sure that there is more wickedness learnt in the playground in playtime than anywhere, which to a great extent could be prevented if a teacher were present with them.—l am, ete., '' Walter G. Rutland. "P.S.— Thursday Night—My son is far from well and not fit for school, having caught a cold on Tuesday." It was resolved to acknowledge receipt ef Mr Rutland's letter, aud to leive the matter in the hands of the visitors. The meeting then adjourned.