MASTERTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8439, 10 May 1907, Page 6

MASTERTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

A meeting of the Masterton School Committee was held in the Exchange Buildings, last evening. There were present:—Messrs R. Brown (chair), H. H. Cork, H. O'Learv, G. Townsend, C. Perry, W. H. Fendall, E. H. Waddington and Rev. J. N. Buttle. The Treasurer reported a credit balance of £SO 18s Id. The Headmaster's (Mr W. H. Jackson) report stated:—The number on the roll at the Main School is 615, average attendance for the month 538, percentage of attendance 87; Side School, roll 178, average attendance for the month 150, percentage of attendance 84; Secondary Classes, roll 72, average attendance for the month 70, percentage of attendance 97. The attendance was greatly reduced on the Ist, 2nd and 3rd insts., through the bad weather, which was experienced on those days. With these exceptions the attendance for the month.has been good, especially so in the Secondary Classes. Mr A. B. Charters, Senior Secondary assistant, has been appointed to the Headmastership of the Greytown District High School. During the four years he has been on the staff he has done excellent work, both in school and also with the boys out of school hours. lam sorry lam compelled to lose his services. The Board's Clerk of Works paid a visit of inspection to tha two schools on Tuesday last. I pointed out to him the bad places on the roofs of both schools, and other necessary repairs. He will make a report on these matters to the Education Board. The leaks at the Side School were so brad that he gave instructions to a local plumber to effect repairs at o«ce. The cookery classes in connection with the school commenced to-day under Miss Talbot, the Board's Instructress in- Cookery. The classes will continue for six rn.Qn.ths, and wjjl work two whole clays a week. I have arranged for all the girls above Stand: i-d IV. to receive instruction ana training in this subject. I have just received a supply of the new school newspaper, the "School Journal." It is intended that this production shall take the place of the ordinary school/reading book. If this new children's paper is able to successfully compete in matter and attractiveness with the many series of excellent reading; books now published I shall rejoice. Every scholar will then be on an equal footing with regard to its read-ing-book equipment. I have received for the school gardening works five bags of manures from the Christchurch Mer.i Co., Ltd. The thanks of the Committee are due to the above Company, and to Mr W. Charters, who obtained the donation for us. A Co: imunication was received from Mr W. Gillespie in reference to the educational exhibits v/hich were on view at the late International Exhibition. The letter stated that these had been handed to Professor Kirk, on behalf of the Education Department, to be distributed amongst various Boards. Professor Kirk had, however, made a note to send specimens of grass seeds and other specialities from the Agricultural Department to the Masterton District High School, Mr Gillespie was accorded a vote of thanks for his report, and the Secretary was instructed to write to the Board and Professor Kirk asking for a share of the exhibits for the Masterton School. Accounts amounting to £3B 12s lOd were passed for payment. The visiting members for the month are, Messrs R. Brown, J. Carpenter and Rev. J. N. Buttle.