Parawai School District.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2512, 24 January 1877, Page 2

Parawai School District.

The annual meeting of the householders of the above district was held at the schoolroom last night to elect a schoolcommittee for the ensuing year. There was not a large attendance.

On the motion of Mr Spencer Mr J. B. Stoney was called to the chair, and briefly opened proceedings, and called on Mr Spencer to read the report of the outgoing committee, which was as follows : — " Your Committee report that during the past year the school has been maintained in an efficient state. .Average attendance of children : —First quarter, 76 ; second, 59 j third, 62 j fourth, 67. The average attendance for the year would thus be 66, being an increase from previous years. The number of Maori children has fallen off considerably, but this does not effect the average of the school. The natives generally have left the district to reside at Obinemuri and Te Aroha, a capitation rate of one pound beinw paid to the master for each native child attending school. Major Cooper has attended at the school twice a week for the purpose of giving the children instruction in drill; and your Committee report that the children hare improved very much, and their thanks are due to Major Cooper for his kindness in devoting so much time for the welfare of the school. A musical entertainment was got up for the purpose of providing funds for prizes at the annual examination at Christmas, and five pounds were devoted to this purpose. The children were afterwards treated to a picnic. Major Cooper also very kindly gave prizes to the children most efficient in drill, and the Committe3 thank him for this extra kindness. Your Committee hope that the gentlemen about to be elected will make early application to the Board of Education for a grant to put the school ground in a proper state. Its present muddy condition, owing to floods, is very disagreeable, and materially interferes with the attendance of children at the school. The master (Mr Gompton) has given great satisfaction during the, year by his attention an d kindness to the children. Mis s Bennett has also contributed her share to make the school as efficient as possible."

Mr Adlam proposed and Mr Smith seconded that the report be adopted. Carried.

On the proposition of Mr Adlam seconded by Mr Lloyd, the following gentlemen were unanimously elected the committee for the ensuing year : —Major Cooper, Messrs T. Spencer, H. Vernon, J. B. Stoney, and W.Paul. A vote of thanks to the oat-going committee was moved by Mr Paul, and a vote of thanks to the chair terminated the proceedings. The newly-elected committee met after the termination of the public meeting, when Mr Spencer was re-elected chairman and Mr Vernon re-elected secretary. \ .;