SCHOOL COMMITTEE ELECTIOS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2650, 24 April 1894, Page 3

SCHOOL COMMITTEE ELECTIOS.

TBMUKA. The annual meeting of householders was held at the schoolhouse last evening. There was a moderate attendance, and on the motion of Mr Monahan, Mr J. W. Salmond, chairman of the outgoing committee, was elected chairman of the public meeting. The minutes of the last annual meeting were read and confirmed. RETORT. The annual report, as follows, was read by the secretary. “ Gentlemen, —Your committee have the honor to submit the following report for the past year;—Staff: During the year there has been only one change in the staff. Miss Gertrude Brown, who completed her apprenticeship as pupil teacher in December last, with credit to herself and the school, left, and from four applications for the vacancy that of Master Ernest Cooper was accepted by the committee and approved by the Board of Education. The staff have worked assiduously during the year, under somewhat adverse circumstances, but the results of the annual examination were particularly satisfactory, the percentage of passes throughout the standards being higher than in former years.—Attendance: Thq average attendance has been good, except during the prevalence of measles, when it fell so low, and the risk of contagion was so great, that your committee deemed it advisable to close the school from July 17th to August 31st. This period was subsequently extended for two weeks. The average attendance has been as follows: Quarter ending March 31, 1893, 276, roll number 361 ; quarter ending September 30, 1893, 241, roll number 349; quarter ending December 30, 1893, 290, roll number 339; quarter ending March 31, 1894, 310, roll number 356. The average attendance for the last four weeks was 317.5, with a roll number of 350. This is particularly good.—Buildings and furniture: Buildings are iu good repair. During the year some improvements have been made to the spouting and lavatories, the Venetian blinds have been thoroughly repaired, and several window sashes re-hung. Towards the coat of these works the Education Board contributed the sum of £2 15s.—Meetings: Thirteen ordinary and several special meetings have been held during the year. The attendance at ordinary meetings has been as follows : —Salmond (12), Levens (11), Hooper (12), Miles (10), Russell (12), McCaskill (10). Taylor (10), Grant (13), Bates (11). Financial: The year commenced with a credit balance of £lO 8s lOd. The sum of £45 10s was received for incidentals and voluntary contributions for fuel and stationery amount to date to £ll lls 9d. The incidental fund was supplemented by the sum of £3, part proceeds of a concert, and the sum of £2 15s was granted by the Education Board for repairs, etc. The total receipts to date are £73 5s 7d. The expenditure to date is £7O 17s 9d, the principal items of which are : —Janitor’s salary (13 months), £32 10s; fuel, £8 19s fid; repairs, £3 lls 9d; books, maps, etc., £2 15s; stationery, £l2 8s lid; furniture, £1 2s 6d ; general, £2 0s Id; secretary’s salary, £7 10s. There is now a credit balance of £2 7s lOd, The prize fund account at last meeting was in credit £l. A concert given by the children and teachers realised £l3 net. Of this £lO was devoted to the prize tund. A donation of £3 3s has been received from Mr A, E. G. Rhodes and another of 10s 6d from “ a friend.” Prizes were given to the amount of £ll2s 6d and there is now a credit of £3 lls. It may be mentioned that there was a heavy falling off in receipts for fuel and stationery, mainly due to the closing of the school during tho meales epidemic. Your committee reduced the scale of contrbution thinking that parents would endeavour to contribute more regularly, but, as a matter of fact, there are still many members of families who fail to assist the committee in this respect, —Prize Giving : The prizes were awarded by Mr J. W. Salmond, chairman of committee, and there was upon this occasion a very representative gathering of parents and others interested in the school. —Cadet Corps : The amount to the credit of this corps. £3O. has been deposited with the school savings bank.—Savings Bank : The savings bank started in connection with the school has proved an unqualified success. It was inaugurated iu July 1893 and 110 accounts have been opened. There have been 625 transactions through the books. The amount to credit, including cadet fund, is £72 14s Id. Aa you arc doubtless aware this money is deposited with the General Government Post Office Savings Bank in the names of trustees and earns, for the children, a certain interest.— Janitor: The janitor, Mr J. Batterbee, resigned, after long service, this month. His position is now filled by Mrs S. Ardell. Conclusion: la conclusion your committee desire to express their high appreciation of the work done by the staff, and their satisfaction that there seems every probability of the attendance maintaining its present satisfactory standard. J. W. SALMON!), Chairman, The chairman, in moving the adoption of report and balance-sheet, referred to several items in the balance-sheet. The receipts had fallen off somewhat; otherwise there would have been a more substantial balance. He begged to move the adoption of the report and balance-sheet. Mr McCaskill seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. On the motion of Mr Monahan, a vote of thanks was passed to the outgoing committee. —Mr Salmond returned thanks. ELECTION. The election of a committee was then proceeded with. The following gentlemen were nominated Messrs J. Grant, A. IV. Surridge, G. Levens, C. Bates, W. Storey, G. Davey, F. Hooper. A. Russell, J. W. Miles, P. McCaskill, E. Brown, D. Taylor, and M. Scannell. Mr Salmond declined j nomination. Messrs J. Gillespie and D. McCaskill were appointed scrutineers. The election passed off very quietly. The following are the results J. W. Miles, 33 ; F. Hooper, 30; G. Levens, 29 ; J. Grant, 29; A. Russell, 28 ; D. Taylor, 27 ; G. Davey, 25 ; C. Bates, 22; M. Scannell, 20; W. Storey, IS ; P. McCaskill, 16 ; E, Brown, 13 ; A. W. Surridge, 9. The first-named nine were elected. COMMITTEE MEETING. A meeting of the oommsttee was then held. Mr Russell was unanimously elected as chairman for the ensuing year. In returning thanks, Mr Russell said that he was nominated for the same position last year. He thought, however, that Mr Salmond was a more fitting man. He would do his best, however, for the good of the committee. SECRETARY. Mr A. \V, Gaze was reappointed secretary at former remuneration. Mr Hooper moved, and it was carried — “ That the committee meet on the third Tuesday in the month as formerly, tee place o f ' meeting to be the school.” The secretary was instruct d to notify the result of the election to the Board of E lunation. Mr Miles was appointed to sign cheques iu connection with the chairman. VISITORS. Mes.'-rs Bates and Davey were uppomt d visitors for the month. ANNUAL CONCERT. It was agreed that the chairman arran.o wi h the headmaster for the holding of the annual concert. The meeting then terminated. GERALDINE. The annual meeting of householders Look place at Geraldine sehooliimKc last cvenin,r. There was a large attciulauee. A ° RETORT'. B Mr W. 11, Walton (chairman of corau mittee), read the annual report ami balancel Shat as follows ’• Gentlemen, — At the close of our year \vc bog to submit to you our report

sand balance-sheet for the past year. Durin°* the year your committee have held 16 meetings (13 ordinary and 3 special), with an average attendance of 6 members. The only change that has taken place in the staff is that Master William Gore was appointed to fill the vacancy caused by the retirement of Master Seymour Willoughby. The attendance during the former part of the year was very low. the average for the first quarter being only 177, a result no doubt caused in a measure by the large amount of wet weather and sickness which prevailed at the time. But we are pleased to state that during the last half year the attendance has gradually increased, the average for the last quarter, ending March 31st, being 201 as against 190 for same period last year. The present number on roll is 247, and the highest attendance last quarter 219. In connection with this subject, the committee would impress on parents the necessity of sending their children regularly to school, as by irregular attendance the efficiency of the school is impaired and the grants from the Board of Education for incidental expenses are reduced, and the grants at their best are quite inadequate for requirements. The school passed a very satisfactory examination for the past year, as shown by the fact that the percentage of failures was only 7 per cent, notwithstanding the low attendance during the year, and that the school was closed for one month extra through prevalence of measles; a result which certainly testifies to the ability and efficiency of the staff. The system adopted by the committee and head master for providing nibs for use of school by soliciting subscriptions for that purpose, has not been so successful as it might and ought to have been. Many parents have neglected to subscribe, thus throwing the entire cost on the few willing ones or on the funds of the committee. The a.mount contributed for this purpose is only £1 7s 6d, as against £2 Is last year, and unless parents respond better than in the past, scholars will be called upon to provide their own stationery. Owing to their being so many entertainments of various kinds taking place about the time of holding the annual concert, and from other causes, the committee decided not to hold a concert, but by canvassing for subscriptions and including balance from last year of £3 11s 6d, we were enabled to give over £lO worth of prizes, and have still a balance on hand of £3 Is lid. The finances of the school are in a better state than last year, not through any increase of income, but a saving was effected in the salary paid to the caretaker through arrangements having been made with the Town Board for the removal of uightsoil. The balance-sheet is on the table, duly audited, and is open for inspection. This shows our total receipts to have been £45 14s 4d, and our total expenditure £3B IBs Id, leaving a balance in hand on March 31st of £7 Is 3d, since which we have received 5 s and paid away £2 11s 3d, leaving a balance in hand to date of £4 15s 6d, The school buildings, fences, etc., are in fair order at present, and the committee have done what their means would allow towards draining the school ground, but a great deal remains yet to be done to make the ground as it should be. As the average for the year is again under 200, you are entitled to elect 7 persons as committeemen for the ensuing year, and I would a-k you to choose a fair number of scrutineers to assist in the election. In conclusion, your committee desire to thank the staff for the manner in which they have carried out their duties during the past year, and hope they will continue to make some progress and work in harmony with the incoming committee. “W. H. Walton, Chairman.” The Rev. A. B. Todd moved the adoption pf the report, and was glad to see that it was more favorable than last year with regard to the attendance. He hoped the progress made would be maintained in the future. The outgoing committee seemed to have managed their affairs better than usual and reduced expenditure, besides leaving a balance. The motion was seconded by Mr Fisher and carried. After discussion it was resolved that the matter of supplying nibs to children be left with the committee. Mr George Ward moved a hearty vote of thanks to the outgoing committee. — Carried. ELECTION OE COMMITTEE. The election of a committee was then gone on with, when 13 honseholders were nominated, seven being required for the committee. Mr J. Kalaugher and the Rev. A. B. Todd were appointed scrutineers, and a ballot was taken, resulting as under D. McLeod, 24 ; R. Borrows, 3B; W. H. Walton, 22; P. W. Herdman, 21; Jas. Riordan, 20 ; T. Sherratt, 19 ; J. Boughton, 19. The other candidates were.- J. M. Keane. 14 ; J. Dean, 13; Geo. Ward, 10; C. E. Sherratt, 10; J, Gore, 5; Geo. Krause, 1. NEW COMMITTEE MEETING. At the committee meeting Mr Walton was appointed chairman, and Mr T. Sherratt secretary. WINCHESTER. At Winchester there was no meeting, sufficient householders to form a quorum not attending. The Board of Education will have to fix on another date for holding the meeting.