TEMUKA SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1984, 19 December 1889, Page 4

TEMUKA SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

, The monthly meeting of the Temuka District High School Committee was held on Tuesday evening. Present — Messrs K. F. Gray (chairman), J. Blyth, W, Storey, W. G. Rutland, A. R. Allan, and J. Cooper. THE SECOND MABTEE. The Secretary reported that he had forwarded to the board Mr Cross’ application for six months’ leave of absence, on account of illhealth, and he noticed that the board were now advertising for a second teacher for the school. Members expressed their deep regret at Mr Cross’ continued illness, and, at Mr Cooper’s suggestion, directed the secretary to convey to him the committee’s sympathy. HEAD MASTER’S EEPOET. The head master’s report was read as follows: Sir,—l h ive the honor to submit the following report for the mouths of November and December November :

Boys. Girls. Total. Average weakly roll 188.5 169.5 358 Average attendance 149.4 141.7 291.1 Highest attendance 169 155 324 December (two weeks) : Boys. Girls. Total. Average weekly roll 185.5 168 353.5 Average attendance 140,2 127.3 267.6 Highest attendance 148 137 285 it is of ihe utmost importaoce that adfeifcisements should at once appear for s successor to Mr Cross, whose resignation is in the hands of the Board, and that the successor should be here to begin work on the opening day. It is to be regretted tbut Mr Cross has fait himself compelled to resign on account of his very serious indisposition. The staff express their sympathy with him very affectionately, ADo, a vacancy will occur in the case of Miss Margaret Russell, whose period of apprenticeship has already expired. Her successor will also be required to begin duly on opening day.— I have the honor, etc., W. Bryabs.

K. F. Grsy, Esq., Chairman. It was decided to bring the vacancy occasioned by the expiry of Miss Russell’s apprenticeship under the notice of the Board of Education. THE LAVATORY. The secretary was instructed to get Mr Duncan to attend to the leaky pipes in the lavatory. ACCOUNTS. Accounts to tbe amount of £2 10s were passed tor payment. THE EECENT CONCEET. The secretary reported that the net profits of the recent concert in aid of the funds of the school amounted to £4, and he was instructed to convey the hearty thanks of the committee to the ‘ ladies and gentlemen who had carried out the entertainment.

In the course of a discussion the opinion was expressed that the prize entertainments should be given by the children, as was done at other places. The secretary was also instructed to convey the thanks of the committee to the ladies who had kindly judged the sewing, Mesdames Allan and Ashwell. THE HOLIDAY. A long discussion followed regarding an application by the master that the Christmas holidays should continue a day longer than decided upon at the last meeting. The chairman said Mr Bryars had waited on him the day after the last meeting, and stated that he regretted that he had not made an application for the continuation of the holidays a day later than the comnittee had fixed on. The present arrangement would cause him great inconvenience. He (the chairman) said he could not interfere. Mr Bryars then asked whether he could grant him leave of absence for one day. He (the chairman) replied that he could not without the consent of two or three other members of the committee.

Mr Blyth said the master applied to him, and he said if the others agreed he had no objection. Mr Storey said be was not at the meeting when the holidays were fixed, but he agreed with what was done. Mr Cooper said he was at tbe school before the last meeting, and Mr Bryars suggested that the school should reassemble on the 18th, He repeated this at tbe meeting, and it was acted upon. He did nob think other committees had given more than five weeks. All the same, he should be sorry to inconvenience Mr Bryars. Mr Rutland said the question of holidays was a sore point with many of the householders.

Mr Blyth said the concession asked for was not much, but he always thought the holidays were too long, and in this Mr Seorey said he concurred.

Mr Allan said Mr Bryars spoke to him about the subject, and said two or three others had agreed to it. He said he had no objection if that was the case.

It was stated that Mr Brown was also spoken to by Mr Bryars. Mr Storey said it was not only the present time, hut a similar thing had happened many times before the present master was in charge, and he wanted to put a stop to it. Mr Rutland brought up the holidays given on race and show days, etc. He never knew an application for such to come before the committee, yet they were always given. He should certainly object to any alteration being made in the decision arrived at at last meeting. After some further discussion, in which members expressed the opinion that four weeks’ holidays were quite long enough, and that the holidays were for the benefit of the scholars, not the teachers, Mr Cooper moved,

Mr Storey seconded, and it was carf j 6( j_“ That in accordance with the head master’s request the holidays be extended one day only.” Mr Rutland voted against the resolution. INSPECTOR'S REPORT, Mr Cooper said he understood that the Inspector’s report of the last examination of the school had been at the school more than a week. Was a special copy sent to the head master ? It was apparently well known who had passed and failed. ihe secretary said he had heard nothing about the report. The chairman said he believed the inspector sent the head teacher sufficient data for classifying the scholars. On the motion of Mr Rutland, it was resolved that on receipt of the inspector's report the chairman should convene a special meeting. A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the meeting.