SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1649, 20 October 1887, Page 3

SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

■' rTEMUKA.; The monthly meeting of, the Temuka School Committee took pjace on Tuesday evening. Present—Messrs H. M. Miles (Chairman), E. Brown, A. W. Surridge, J, Lynch, A. Bussell, and- J. Davis. MINOTJBB. The minotes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. {■' ftORBBSRONDENOE. Outward correspondence was read and approved of. No inward correspondence was received. master'd report. .The Head Master, Mr W. Bryan, sub- “ milted the following report ! “I have the honor to enbmit the followlbg;'report‘ for the month of [September : Average roll: Boys, 198.5 ; girls, 182.5 ; total, ,3SI. Strict average attendance: Boys, 154,3; girls, 140.8; total, 295.1. " Highest attendance:: Boys, 170; girls, 148 ;, total, 318. We are in need of the following :—1 gross drawing pencils, and 6 hbxea nibs. At the fence on the south side of the school grounds is a very large hollow in the ground. It has been a nuisance in several ways daring the recent wet weather. Perhaps it could be filled up before any of the children suffer in any way from its deleterious effect*, in - case of continuance or recurrence of wet. t have etc., “W. Bryabs.” It was resolved that the requisites asked for be procured, but that in con sequence ef scarcity, of funds no steps be taken to fill up the bellow mentioned. THE FISNOE3, The Chairman said that just before t$ meeting commenced he had looked ipund the south aide of the fence and found ' there were six very bad places in • it where the children were in the habit of going through. Not throe months before all that bank was thoroughly done , tap and gorse planted. He had not time to go all round the fence, but the care* taker bad told him it was quite as bad oo thonorthaide. Mr Russell said it was a most foolish 'thing to have such alienee erected at all. The resolution, passed last meeting re* questing the Heatf Master to see that better supervision was occupied over the children when iu the play-ground, was read, and it was. pointed out that in his report.tbe bead master made no mention of this. The Chairman' said it was evident that something more than that was needed. A free discussion on tbe subject followed, some of tbe members being of opinion , that tbe; children were allowed to do as they liked, and that if some of the offenders were caught and made an example of by the Head Master the practice would be stopped. Ultimately it was decided that tbe Chairman should see the Head Mister, and strongly impress upon him the necessity of preventing the children obtaining ingress or egress to the school ' . ground through the fence as it was impossible for the Cumnittee to keep the fence in order whilst the children were allowed to make a practice of getting over and through it, /*' ' ' BBPAIEB. The Chairman reported that the repairs mentioned at last meeting had been carried he thought the buildings and .grounds were now in very fair order. SCHOOL REQUISITES, The lowness of the Committee’s inclcidental fund, and the application of the Head Master for a supply of pens led to a long discussion. . Mr Rutland expressed the opinion that there must be great waste somewhere. In reply to questions by Messrs Davis and Lynch the Chairman explained that of the incidentals granted by the Board, nearly all went to pay the Caretaker and Secretary, so tbe Committee were obliged to r depend on the donations of parents for .the[supply of ink, pens, stationery, and fuel. • At a later period the discussion on this subject was renewed, and it was explained that ar ; grfat deal of foolscap was used in ■ the periodical examinations which_ the j BoardV. Inspector had said was highly necessary. In the course of the discussion the practice of giving children “ home lessons,” in [subjects in which they - were not well • grounded, .was condemned by Messrs Lynch and Davis,, who also thought them excessive. 3 The Chairman anicP ! Messrs Brown and Russell thought no school would make any progress without the home lessons. ; Mr Rutland thought the whole system * system of “cram” conducted for the benefit of teachers not il.o chi’dren, who were removed from one standard to another before they were thoroughly grounded. A large percentage of passes was aimed at. . • - It was decided! that the Chairman . should . again strongly impress on Mr B yars the m tier of obtaining more liberal donations from parents for pons, [ ink, stationery, and fuel, e'c. VISITOR’S BBroRX. Mr Surridge said he vis : ted the school on the 17th, and found everything working .... satisfactorily. On looking over the outbuildings, e'c., he found that a pane of glass in the girls’ lavatory had been Broken. Be also found that there was a leakage in one of the pipes. In reply to a question by Mr Rutland, who said some of the children would not drink tbe water, the Secretary sijd the j tanks had been cleaned out twelve months ';j go, and be believed they were ao fastened up that the children could not put anything into them. Mr Rutland thought the tanka should be cleaned out and lime washed at least once a year. It was decided that the caretaker should be requested to find out the cause

) of the escape of water from one of the i pipes. : Mr Lynch was appoined visitor for the i month. PRIZE FUND. : The Chairman said the time had now arrived when the Committee must decide 1 (whether they would take any steps to pro--1 vide funds for a distribution of prizes in December. After a short discussion it was resolved on the motion Mr Rusboll, seconded by Mr Lynch—" That a concert in aid of the prize fund be held early in December, and that the following be apI pointed a Committee to make the necessary arrangements for the same : Tho Chairman, the Hesd Master, Messrs Brown, .Rutland, Russell, und the Secretary. The meeting then terminated. SOUTH ORARI. The ordinary meeting of the South Orari School Committee was held on Monday evening. Present—Messrs H. A. Barker (Cbairmnn), McLeod, Coles, Binekin, Biseet, and Behrens. MINUTES. The minutes of the last meeting irere read and confirmed. OOBRESPOND ENOK. Correspondence was read as follows : From tbe Education Department in reference to Library, —lt was resolved that the Chairman nod Mr Binskio make enquiries in reference to forming a district ibrary. From the Board of Education re separating the Master's division from the pupil j teacher's. From Master McLeod, ex-pupil teacher, applying for a certificate.—The Chairman was authorised to grant Master McLeod a certificate on behalf of the Committee. , master's report. The Master's report Bhowed the strict average attendance for the last four weeks to have bsen :—Boys, 21; girl*, 18 ; total 39. No on 801 l : Boys, 28 ; girls, 24 ; total, 52. TJSITOBS. Mr Bisset reported that he had not had time to visit the Bchool but that he had looked at the fence, and ha reiterated the statement in the farmer report regarding the onsstisfactory manner in which the trimming, etc., was done. Resolved—" That the account be paid conditionally." Mr Behrens was appointed visitor for the next month. HOLIDAY. A holiday was granted oo Wednesday, 26th inst, Timaru shoii day. TBIAT AND PRIZE FOND. A concert in aid of the treat and prize fund was mooted but consideration thereof was deferred. There being no other business the meeting adjourned.