TEMUKA SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2492, 20 April 1893, Page 2

TEMUKA SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

The regular monthly meeting of the above was held in Mr Storey's office on Tuesday evening. Present—Messrs W. Storey (chairman), P. McCaskill, C. Bates, A. W. Surridge, T. F. Hooper, C. Levens, F. R. Oldfield, J. W. Salmond, and A. Russell. CORRESPONDENCE. Correspondence was read— From the Education Board, notifying that the annual meeting of householders had been fixed for April 24th, at 7 o'clock in the evening at the main school, and that nominations of candidates on the form prescribed by the Act should be sent in to the chairman by Monday. April 17th. NOMINATIONS. The chairman stated that he had received the following nominations, viz • Messrs VV. Storey, P. McCaskill, A. W." Surridgo, W. L. Duncan, H. Oldfield. C. Bates, J. W. Salmmd, T. F. Hooper, A. Russoll, and C Levens. In accordance with clause 9 of the School Committee Election Act Amendment Act of 1891, it appeared further nominations could be received on the night oi meeting. STATIONERY FORMS. The head master applied iov a supply of stationery forms. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr Salmond, seconded by Mr Hooper, tin t 2000 be procured. visitors' report. Messrs Resell and Levens reportod having visited the school. Everything appeared to be working in a satisfactory manner, and they were courteously re _ ceived by the staff. As arranged at the previous meeting, the certificates awarded by the Education Board to scholars w.hq hud passed in stjcqndary subjects h,acj[ been presented on tlje occasion of thejo visit, when Mr Russoll, in the absence of tho chairman, made a few remarks api propriate to the occasion. REQUISITES. Tho chairman reported that he had seen tho secretary of the Education^

Board, and arranged that the easels and

certain chemicals required for the use of students taking secondary subjects should be supplied free of cost. ANNUAL REPORT. The secretary read the balance-sheet and report to be laid before the householders at the annual meeting of householders on Monday. The report was as follows: " Gentlemen, —Your committee have the honor to submit the following report for the past year. "Staff—During their term of office important changes have been made in the staff. At its commencement MiLawrence Edge, M.A., had just been appointed j'.cting-head master vice Mr T. Cheyne ramie, M.A., who resigned his position to take charge of the Geraldine school, Mr B. H. Low continuing to fill the position of acting-second master. At the end of September Mr Edge tendered his resignation, which was accepted by the Education Board, and Mr B. H. Low was appointed in his place. Miss Russell was temporarily appointed second assistant. In November the committee received intelligence of the_; lamentable death of Mr \V. Bryars, 8.A., the head master on leave, and steps were at once taken to arrange for filling tho positions of head master and second master. For the first, ten applications were received; for the second, six. These applications received the most careful consideration at a special meeting held on Januaiy 3rd, and resulted in the appointment of Mr D. Ferguson, M.A., late of Pukeuri, and of Mr B. H. Low to the respective vacancies. Your committee have had no occasion to regret the decision arrived at. In February Miss Goodey's term of apprenticeship as pupil teacher expired, and Miss Marion McCaskill, one of the pupils of the school who had highly distinguished herself at the scholarship examinations, and who had been acting for a short time as monitor, was then selected from five other applicants for the vacant pupil teachership. So many changes naturally caused some slight disorganisation of the classes, but the teachers appeared to thoroughly appreciate the difficulty, and worked most assiduously to prevent a decline of the status of the school, and have earned the thanks of the committee for their services. " Attendance—The attendance throughout the year t has been good, and has latferly increased. The average attendance for the quarter ending 30th June, 1892, was Boys, 150.7 ; girls, 136.1; total, 286.8. For quarter enning 30th September, 1892 Boys, 151.5 ; girls, 132.4; total, 283.9. Quarter ending 31st December, 1892—Boys, 157 ; total, 297. For the quarter ending March 31st, 1893 —Boys, 155.2; girls, 139; total, 294.2. There are twelve pupils (8 boys and 4 girls) taking secondary subjects this year, and free secondary education is given to those who qualified for but were not awarded scholarships. "Buildings and Furniture—The buildings are in good repair. Some little necessary work has been done to outbuildings during the year. Several small additions have also been made to the scholastic apparatus. r " Meetings—Twelve ordinary and three special meetings have been held during the year. At these the attendance has been as follows : —Mr Storey, 15; Mr Levens, 15; Mr Hooper, 14; Mr Oldfield, 14; Mr Salmond, 12; Mr Bates, 12; Mr Russell, 11; Mr McCaskill, 11; Mr Surridge, 11. " Financial—The year commenced with a credit of £2 12s 4d. The sum of £45 10s was received for incidental purposes from the Education Board, and voluntary contributions towards fuel and stationery amounted to £l7 0s 2d, as against £lO 14s 3d last year, and £ls 153 7d the previous year. To aid the incidental fund a concert was arranged, which resulted in the receipt of £l4 13s Cd. The total receipts therefore amounted to £79 16s. The expenditure amounted to £69 7s 2d, as follows : Janitor's salary, £3O; fuel, stationery, etc., £23 13s 4d, including a liability left by the old committee of £8 3s Id; repairs to buildings, £1 19s 6d; general expenses, advertising, etc., £3 0s lOd; concert expenses, £4l3s6d; secretary's salary, £6; leaving a credit balance of £lO 8s lOd. The prize fund account commenced with a credit of £4 3s 3d. In place of holding a concert your committee solicited voluntary contributions, and received in all £9 0s 6d in cash, and numerous sewing prizes. The sum of £l2 3d 9d was expended in prizes, and there is now a credit of £l, exclusive of a debt from the general fund of £3 7s 2d borrowed in 1891 to make up the deficiency in the incidental fund receipts. " Prize-giving— The prizes were awarded by Mr A. E. G. Rhodes, M.H.R., and Mrs Rhodes, and the gathering upon the occasion was a very gratifying one, a number of parents and others being present. " Cadet Corps—There is now to the credit of the Cadet Corps a sum of some £3O, derived from Government grants. This it is proposed to expend in new uniforms, etc. " In conclusion your committee desire to record their hearty thanks to all donors of prizes, and to the teaching staff for their general good work. Although the results of secondary education were by no means good, the inspector's report on the general examination was very favorable, and better than anticipated in view of the difficulties contended with. With the finances in a sound position and. the school thoroughly re-organised the work of the new committee and the staff should for the coming year be comparatively light/' On the motion of Mr Levens, seconded by. Mr McCaskrll, the report was adopted " as read.

STATIONERY FEES. Mr Hooper thought it would be wise if parents were made to clearly understand how necessaiy it was that they should all contribute towards the fuel and stationery fees. Although the levy made could not be legally enforced, without some such help the school work could not be well carried on. Members generally concurred, and Mr Levens remarked that the amount received, though more on the aggregate than usual, did not amount to much more than a shilling a head per annum. VOTES OJi" THANHS. Mr Bates moved - " That tho committee record a hearty vote of thanks to the chairman for tho use cf his oftfeo and lights for holding the monthly nwolliiii of the committee," Btsuonri*"' * fjooper, and _ uv ]\l to * ~. —The chairman expressed the pleasure he felt in being of service to the committee The chairman then left the chair which was taken by Mr llussoll, and moved that a cordial vote of thanks bo passed to Mr Gaze, the secretary, for his indefatigable servicec and his couitosy to the committee and stall". Personally he had found Mr Gaze most attentive to his duties, and always willing to lay aside his own private business when matters connected with the school work required attention. —Tho motion was seconded by Mr Salracmd, other members endorsing

the chairman's remarks.—The motion was put and carried unanimously.—The secretary briefly returned thanks. He was unaccustomed to receive thanks for doing what he was paid to do, and any extra trouble he had taken was more than compensated for by the committee's kind remarks. He took some little inioiest himself in educational matters, and this had served to lighten his labors. The meeting then terminated with a vote of thanks to the chair.