LAWRENCE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 165, 6 April 1871, Page 5

LAWRENCE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Tho usual mor.thly meeting of the Committee was held in the school on Friday evening List.

There were jiresent— The Tiev. Dr. Copland (president), Rev. Mr. Menzies, Messrs. Thompson, Harrop, E. Ilerlmrfc, Campbell, Stcnhouse, and Hayes, secretary.

On the minutes of previous meeting being read, Mr. Herbert moved that they be confirmed.

Mr. Harrop said he observed that a notice of motion, tabled by Mr. Jamison jit the last monthly meeting, relative to limiting the number of pupils, was not on the minutes. He had attended the meeting with the intention of opposing the motion, and in ordtr that the quesfi'>n mk'ht be discussed, and to facilitate business, he would second the resolution that the lain ntes be confirmed. — Carried.

The Secretary read a letter from the teacher of the Jvaseby school, after which a loni', uninteresting and slightly tedious conversation ensued relative to Mr. Jamison's notice of motion not being entered in the minute book, when

Mr. Harrop said that the notice, which appeared in the Thapkka Times, had given very g^eat dissatisfaction to parents of children attending the school. He understood that business prevented Mr. Jamison from attending the meeting, which he (Mr. Harrop) regretted, as he was convinced that when Mr. Jamison understood the general dissatisfaction his motion had caused, he would be willing to withdraw it.

Mr. Menzies also opposed the motion. It did not discriminate between those parents who were willing to pay their fees and those who were not. No doubt some were in arreas through vice, and others through misfortune, but the motion marie no distinction, which was decidedly unfair.

Another conversation being ended,

Mr. Harrop said he would move, for the information of parents of children attending the school, " That the the notice of motion, which appeared in Tiupeka Times of March 16th, relative to limiting the. number of scholars!, &c., have no*effect. rt Mr . ' Campbell seconded . lle had heard several complaints from parents against the notice of motion referred to, and he believed it -would ' §& calculated to do injury to the school«if allowed to pass. He would like the Committe to express ihaij»A; ; nions. on the matter. relative to nothing in pamcular being finished,

Dr. Copland said Mr. Jamison's motion was, no doubt, intended to call special a J ten'ion to flip fact that a large' amount of fees remained unpaid, and as it was anticipated that there would be a larger attendance of pupils, it proposed that a distinction should in future be made bstwpen those who paid their fees regularly and those who did not. Whether this w.is a good plan or not was open to question. At all events, the committee should not overlook the fact that there was a large amount of outstanding debts, and steps should be taken to remedy the evil in future. Ft was fur them to give expression to their opinions. Mr. Menzies said there were, no doubt, many ns.rents in the rlis'ricfc who could not afford to pay school fees for their children, although anxious to do so, owing to a want of regular employment ; and as it often happened that such part'es were tho most sensitive, the proposition under discussion would be unnecessarily offensive and painful to them, and would tend to injure instead of benefiting the School. They should be careful to avoid measures which were calculated to injur.s the institution. He thought it would be better to institute legal proceeding for the recovery of debts, than adopt srich means as were suggested by the motion.

In rfily to a question by Dr. Copland,

Mr. Stenhoupe said he had in hand the sum of £40. Accounts to the amount of £93 ss. 6d. wore about to be sent out, £40 or £50 of which sum represented last quarter's fees, the remainder being last year's arrears. Mr. Herbert moved, "That Mr. Hamvp's motion bo not adopted." Mr. Menzips said he would second the amendment for the sake of bringing the discussion to nn end. On ihe motion and amendment being put to the meeting, the former was carried. Mr. Bl'?nzies desired that some member of the committee should act with him at the next quarterly examination. Mr. Herbert was appointed.

Mr. Herbert, moved, " That a few simple rules, as standing oi'dors, be drawn up for the s,uid<xnco of the committee ;" bnt after Dr. C «pland and other gentlemen had expounded their views on the subject, it was aipved that there was no necessity for establishing stand "n? orders.

A vote of thanks to the chair brought the proceedings to a close.