TEMUKA SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2282, 19 November 1891, Page 4

TEMUKA SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

The monthly meeting of the Temukfy School Committee was held on Tuesday evening. Present Messrs Storey, Yelvin, Cooper,-and Brown. Mr Storey Was voted to the chair. CORRESPONDENCE. Correspondence was read From Messrs P. W. Hutton & Co, covering circular of their new prize books, and soliciting orders. From the Education Board, stating that the sum of £ll 7s 6d had been paid; to the credit of the committee at the Bank of Neyr. Zealand, being the amount 1 of incMdhthlk for the fourth quarter. From the same, forwarding summary of attendance returns for quarter ending 30th September. From this it appeared that the strict average was —Males, 151; females, 137 ; total, 288. HEAD MASTER’S REPORT. The following is the head master’s report “Tliave the honor to submit the following report for the month of October : Boys. Girls. Total. Average roll ... 188 172.2 360 2 Average attendance 155 138.7 293.7 Highest attendance 175 157 332 The inspector made his annual examination last week. On Tuesday the attendance was only 235 in the morning, owing to the exceptionally wet and stormy weather. However, on Wednesday morning we had 331, and this good attendance was the rule for the rest of the week. —1 have, &c., I “W. Bryars.” REPAIRS, ETC. The secretary stated that he had observed that the Education Board had decided to have the inside work done at the school, the outside painting, &c., to be held over. No communication had been received from that body, but he had prepared a specification and obtained several tenders. He had thought this course advisable, because the work would j hive to be done in the midsummer holidays. . I After some little discussion it was decided not to move in the matter until farther information had been obtained from the Education Board, and the secretary was instructed to write to the board upon the subject; in the meantime the tenders to be returned unopened. HOLIDAYS. In connection with the midsummer holidays, the secretary said it had been pointed out to him that a number of the pupils were being prepared for their scholarship examination by Mr Farnie, the second master. As the examination will not take place until the first week in January the head master thought the school could conveniently be kept open until Christmas Eve. . This would give Mr Farnie an opportunity of retaining the attention of the children, and he would not suffer the loss of the major portion of his holiday, as was the case last yeaif. .. The chairman said that he had intended to bring the subject up himself. Mr Farnie was a most painstaking teacher, and deserved consideration. It was decided to keep the school open until the 24th December. The length of the holidays was then discussed. Mr Yelvin said that parents as a rule objected to the length of the holidays, and moved that they last for four weeks instead of five. _ Mr Cooper said this would neither be fair to the teachers nor the pupils who were to be presented for the scholarship examination. It would practically limit their holiday to a week. Mr Brown concurred with Mr Cooper’s remarks. The teachers had to work very arduously, ; especially those who were still studying. He moved—“ That the school be closed for five weeks from the 24th December.” Mr Cooper seconded the motion, remarking that at one time he was opposed to long holidays, but realised now that they were a necessity. The chairman said that personally he was in favor of Mr Velvin’s proposal. He would not, however, exercise the dual vote, and Mr Brown’s motion was therefore carried. PRIZES. The secretary stated that Mr A. E. G. Rhodas had signified his intention of again giving £3 3s to the prize fund. He was requested to convey the committee’s thanks for the same to the donor. It was decided to expend the sum of ten pounds from the prize fund in addition to any private donation, the head teachers to select suitable prizes, with the recommendation that single books of value be given where possible in place of a number of small prizes for a variety of subjects. MISCELLANEOUS. Mr Yelvin stated that owing to the inspector’s examination the school had been kept open on the Prince of Wales’s birthday, a holiday being granted on the following Monday. The head master had sent a written authority for the .committee to sign, but he believed he was the only member available at the time. —His action was confirmed. The secretary was instructed to write to the Education Board relative to Miss Sweet’s position. He was also asked to make arrangements at an early date for the formal distribution of prizes, the committee being anxious that as many parents as possible should be present. . Messrs Yelvin and Russell were appointed visitors for the month. ACCOUNTS. Accounts amounting to £6 19s 9d were passed for payment, and the meeting terminated.