MASTERTON DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9716, 11 February 1910, Page 5

MASTERTON DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL.

MONTHLY MEETING.

The monthly meeting of the Masterton School Committee was held last evening. There were present:— Messrs R. Brown (Chairman), J. Carpenter, E. H. Waddington, A. Hendry, H. O'Leary. A. Chapman, T. J. Thompson, C. Perry, and G. Townsend. Mr H. Mason, Auckland, forwarded a photograph of a relief model of a map of New Zealand for use in schools.

It was decided to piocure a model of each island. The Headmaster's report was read as follow:—Main School, roll 586, average attendance 510, percentage of attendance 87; Side School, roll 160, average attendance 144, percentage of attendance 90. Secondary classes, roll 62, average attendance 58, percentage of attendance 93. The school re-opened on 31st ult There were 68 new admissions m the primary departments and four in the secondary from outside districts. The total withdrawals in all departments at the end of the year was 102, of whom a large proportion represent boys and girls, who have taken up employment or entered on home duties. The remainder have left the district. Owing to the reduction in roll numbers during the last two quarters the school has lost the services of a junior assistant. The senior assistant mistress has been granted three months' leave of absence. The vacancy is being filled by the retention of the junior assistant mistress for the three months. Two probationers have been appointed to the school. One, Miss Eva Hogg, has taken up her duties this week. I have received from the Education Board, for the use of the Third Standard, a reading book and qn arithmetic book for every pupil in the class. The reader is the British Empire Reader Book 3, and the arithmetic book the Southern Cross Book 3. Of the four new admissions to the secondary department, from outside districts, one comes from Tinui, one from Kopuaranga, one from Mauriceville West and one from Mikimiki. Only one of these travels daily, and he is unable to arrive at school before 11.45 a. m. The train service is largely responsible for the reduced roll in this department. Unless the average attendance is maintained at over 70 the secondary

department will lot>e one of its teachers shortly. The whole of the school cadets, except recruits, will take part in the parade for inspection by Lord Kitchener, on the 23rd, 24th, and 25th insts. The whole of the male assistants will go in charge of them. I shall be glad of the assistance of members of the School Committee in connection with the entertainment on ths 24th inst. I have pleasure in reporting to. the

Committee that this school has again been very successful in the examinations named. For the Matriculation nine candidates wer9 presented and eight passed, all the eight obtaining a pass in the Solicitors' General Knowledge examination also. For the Junior Civil Service examination sixteen pupils were presented and thirteen passed. One of the success ful candidates was awarded a Senior Board Scholarship of £4O a year for two years, if compelled to live away from home, oi £5 a year if not compelled to live away." The Chairman stated that the de- | crease in pupils generally was due

;o the number of people leaving

the district, that matters were improving, however, was evidenced by the noticeable decrease in the number of empty houses in the town. The Chairman, in referring to the Matriculation and Junior Civil Service examination passes stated the results reflected the good work being done by the staff. Mr Waddington also referred to the fact that the standard of Matriculation had been raised, and the marking altered. It was decided that the Committee place on record its appreciation of the work of the Headmaster and the teachers of the school. The Treasurer's report showed— Balance last month, £46 4s fid; Trust Lands Trust grant and subsidy, £9O 3s 9d; total receipts, £l3B 3s 3d; payments, £39 17s 9d; credit balnce to date, £9B 10s 6d.