GERALDINE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2358, 19 May 1892, Page 2

GERALDINE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

The monthly meeting of the above was held on Tuesday evening. Present — Messrs G. Tayler (chairman), W. Walton, J. Gore, T. Bowkett, J. Boughton, G. H. Patrick, C. Groves, C. E. Sherratt, and T. Sherratt. BOARD OF EDUCATION. A circular was read from the Board of Education stating that owing to the resignation of the Rev. T. Jasper Smyth, a person should be nominated to fill the vacancy.—The matter was left in the hands of the Chairman, and the visiting Committee to deal with. HEAD master’s REPORT. The head master’s report showed the average attendance for the quarter up to week ending May 13 as—Boys, 87.6 ; Girls, 95.8. Totals 183.4. Highest attendance on any half-day 212. For the fortnight he had charge of the school the attendance had been lower even than this, viz : —Boys, 82.2 ; Girls, 88. Total, 170.2. The attendance now seemed to be mending, hut if the attendance continues low till the end of the quarter the salaries and the staff would be reduced. He asked the Committee to take some action in the matter. He thought that prizes should be given for attendance as well as progress. The pens used in the school were unsuitable for school purposes, and he requested the Committee to provide others. It was agreed that Mr Farnie obtain the pens for the school, and that he be empowered to use his discretion with reference to closing the school in the afternoons on wet days. IRREGULAR ATTENDANCE. It was resolved that the Chairman and Visiting Committee see that the compulsory clauses of the Act with reference to non-attenders be carried out to the letter, and that the Act is strictly enforced. It was further decided to give prizes for regular attendance, and to hold a concert in aid of the attendance prize fund. A Committee to make the necessary arrangements was appointed as follows : —The Chairman, Secretary, and Messrs Bowkett, T. Sherratt, and the Headmaster. visitors’ report. The visiting Committee leported Mr Farnie to be quite at home in his new charge, but complaining very much about the attendance. The pump-water was inspected and found to be of a peculiar clayey flavor,but they could not say whether the water was unwholesome; as there was a good supply of water in the tanks there was no need to go to the pump. Mr Farnie kindly promised to get some of the pump-water analysed. They inspected the floor which require! grading, and took measurements. The street leading up to the small gate at the school required a few loads of shingle, and the tender of Messrs W. A. Sherratt & Co., was accepted for the supply of wood and coal. head master’s residence. The headmaster complained that his house was unfit to live in, owing to defective drainage and other causes, and that since he bad been living in it his children had become ill. It was left to the Chairman and Secretary to draft a letter to the Board of Education on the matter. accounts. Sundry accounts were passed for payment. VISITORS. Messrs T. Sherratt and J. Bowkett were appointed visitors for the ensuing month. The meeting then terminated.