SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1560, 23 September 1886, Page 3

SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

TEMUKA. The monthly meeting of the Temuka School Committee took place last Tuesday evening. Prssent—Messrs Brown (Chairman), Gray, Miles, Cooper, Lee and Davis. minutis. The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. CORRESPONDENCE. Outward correspondence during the month was read and approved. The only letter received waa from the Board in reply to one from the Committee applying for au additional teacher. The letter stated that as the staff of the Temuka District High School is in excess of the regulations the Board could see no groundsforentertainingthe application and the reporters remarks as t o the recommendation of the Inspector should be deleted, as they are contrary to fact ; also stating rt the application for £2 for shingling and new ropes for swings, etc., that the Board bad granted £1 conditional on the Committee providing a like sum. HEAD MASTER'S REPORT. The report of the Head Master (Mr Bryars) for the month was then read. He reported the average number on the roll to be, boys 178.75, girls 145, total 323,75 ; average attendance, boys 123.10, girls 89.75, total 212.85 ; working average, boys 137.3, girls 303.4, total 240.7 ; highest attendance, boys 145, girls 113, total 259. He applied for a supply of nibs and chalk and enclosed a cheque for £3 18s 9d, the amount collectedforincidentals during the quarter. He also wished to know whether the Committee would grant a half holiday on the following day on the occasion of the laying of the foundation stone of the new volunteer drill shed. Mrßryars, who attended the meeting, said he had been requested by Mr Cross (the second master) to apply to the Committee to grant a few shillings for a small supply of nitric and sulphuric acid with which to make a few simple and harmless experiments. The Chairman said, Mr Cross had been to him, and he had advised him to apply to the Committee.

It was unanimously decided that the nibs, chalk, and acids asked for should be obtained.

The holiday asked for was also granted, it being pointed out that the head and second masters, and a number of the pupils were connected with the cadet corps. Members expressed their gratification at the way parents had responded to their appeal for more liberal donation to the stationery and fuel fund. repairs. The Chairman reported that during the month he had had two loads of shingle spread at the gates, which had been of considerable service. On the motion of Mr Lee, seconded by Mr Cooper, the offer of the Board ro grant for shingle and lopes for swings, eto., was accepted, and Mr Gray was authorised to see to the expenditure of the money. Vlsfroß. No visitor’s report was made, but the Chairman stated that lie had visited the school three or four times during the month and found everything going on most satisfactorily. He was extremelj pleased to see how things were going on. Mr Gray was appointed visitor for the month, A COMPLAIN!. Mr Lee said a parent had complained to him in reference to a child being kept too long in one class. The Chairman said it would only bo right if parents had any complaints to make that they should make them in writing, .and the Committee could then consider them. He had sometimes had complaints made to him, and that was the course he recommended. Members generally coincided with this, and the subject dropped. ACCOUNTS. Accounts to the amount of £5 16s 8d were passed for payment, and the meeting terminated. SOUTH ORARL The ordinary monthly meeting of the South Orari School Committee was held on Monday evening last. Present Messrs R. A. Barker (Chairman), Bisset, McLeod, Coles, and May. MINUTES. The minutes of las* meeting were read and confirmed. master’s report. The Master’s report was read and was considered satisfactory, the attendance showing a steady improvement. HOLIDAYS. Mr Bisset moved and Mr Coles seconded —“That (on account of the very small attendance at School on race days in the past) the School be closed on Thursday and Friday of the forthcoming Geraldine Races.”—Carried. visitor’s report, etc. The visitor’s report was then read. The visitor (Mr Naughton) stated that he had visited the school that day and found everything going on satisfactorily. He found that the repairs to the Master’s house were completed, and suggested that the fences around the school grounds be trimmed, and that the school gates bs repaired. ' Mr Coles was appointed to attend to the fixing up of the school gate. The Chairman undertook to attend to the trimming of the fences.

Mr McLeod was appointed visitor for the m«nth.

There being no other business before the meeting it was adjourned to the third Monday in October.

CAPES’ VALLEY. The following has been sent to us with a special request to publish it in full: A meeting of the above School Committee was held in the school on Sept. 14th las). Present- Messrs W. M, Howe (in the chair), Gapes, Cameron, Townsend, and Squires. The minutes of the last meeting having been read and confirmed, Miss Bock (the teacher) presented her report of the attendance for the month, which showed an average of 20 5, a considerable falling off, which was, however, explained by the incessant rain during the mouth, coupled with the long distances the children had to travel. In order to keep .the matter of attendance before the parents’ eyes, it was resolved upon the motion of Mr Gapes—“ That the Chairman get 200 printed forms, and, in cases of absence, the teacher send to the parents to enquire'the reason, and

stating the number of times the child has been from school.” it was thought. thiwould secure a better attendance in future. Tb report and proceeds of the dance held on September 3rd were banded in, and it was thought tIM the net proceeds would not be sufficient to provide a treat and prizes for the children. To meet the case, however, Miss Buck, with the assistance of .Miss Gapes, volunteered to up another dance, to bo field in October, so that the nquired funds might be to hand, and as nothing “succeeds like success” all lovers of the “ jig” may expect a good all round time, for it is somehow or other understood that the inhabitants of this Valley can dance. But as reaction comes (as come it will, sooner or later) reflection in some in-t-t'inc-s accompanies it, and so it comes to puss that this School Committee has had to meet the “ ghost ” of a dance oil s'Veial occasions armed to the very “teeth.” But, if I might here venture an opinion, our Committee has “ laid him,” for one of our gallant number boldly asked full in “his” face, What harm is there in dancing 1 The “ ghost ” made no reply—“he” was “corked up and sealed. ” This good man replied for him, “ There is no more harm in a dance than in a cup of tea.” Oh, conclusive statement—for ever settling a question (hut has caused sore heartburnings to the best of men for ages past, and has produced some amount ot compunction among the “faithful seven” of Gapes’ Valley, but at last si tiled negatively by its being declared as harmless as a “ cup ot lea.” By the way, an idea has just struck me, and as I get one so seldom, I pen it. It is generally understood “ tea ” does peop-e little or bo good, and if it is not genuine it may do them serious harm. Messrs Gapes anp Squires were appointed visitors for the month. Accounts amounlieg to £1 16s 6d were passed for payment and the meeting terminated.