TE AWAMUTU.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 312, 9 July 1898, Page 4

TE AWAMUTU.

School Committee.—A meeting of the School Committee was held on Wednesday evening last, when there were present : Messrs C. A. Taylor (chairman). F. R. Gibson, and T Gresham. Some correspondence in connection with a fcite for the school playground was read, and it was decided to take further steps in the matter. A letter was receiver! from Mrs Bearsley. It was resolved that the attention of Mr Rees, the head teacher, be directed to the fact that during the dinner hour the pupils were not under the supervision of any of the teaching staff. With regard to other matters mentioned, it was decided to invite Mrs Bearsley to definitely formulate her charges against the headmaster in writing by the 28th inst., in order that the committee thould consider them. A circular was received from the Rev. Dr. Hosking, chairman cf the Hamilton West School Committee, re military drill. The Chairman was requested to write and inform Dr. Hosking that for ninny years past the boys of Te Awamutu had been taught military drill by competent military instructors, and that the services of Capt. Reid, of Hamilton, were not required. Mr Gresham announced that on Friday, the sth August, the Theatro Royal Company of Te Awamutu would be prepared to stage the dramatic sketch, entitled " The Burglar and the Judge," the proceeds to be applied partly towards the school prizes and partly towards the playground fund. This offer was accepted with thanks, and it was decided to ask the teachers whether they would be prepared to select pupils to give an exhibition of club drill or other like show. The Chairman was requested to ascertain from the Railway Department the terms for a school excursion to Rotorua, to take place in November next. What is known as the " wedding episode " on the 31st May last was considered, and Mr Rees was to be notified by the chairman that in future he must not take upon himself to give the children a holiday or a portion of any school day without first obtaining the permission of the committee. Other matters were dealt with, one of which it was decided should not for the present be madt public, but for the head teacher to receive directions in respect thereto. From a copy of the roll produced, it appeared that pupils were attending who were a good deal over the age as defined by statute, namely—s to 15 years. St. John's Church. The annual meeting of parishiouers was hold in the church on Tuesday evening last. The Rev. J. A. L. Kayll occupied the chair. The attendance was not very large. The report and balance-sheet, after being read, were adopted on the motion of Mr Mandeno, seconded by Mr Andrew. The people's warden brought up the question of making the Vicar rent allowance pending erection of a parsonage. After some considerable discussion it was resolved on the motion of Mr C. A. Bowden, seconded by Mr Andrew, " That in view of the Vicar's approaching marriage and until the erection of a Parsonage, other parts of this district be invited to assist Te Awamutu in providing the Vicar with a rent allowance at the rate of £25 per annum from the Ist of December next." In connection with the Vicar's stipend it was resolved that the amount of the Te Awamutu contribution for the current year be £6O. The Vicar, on being re-called after the rent discussion, thanked the meeting for their vote. The Vicar announced that he had chosen Mr Geo Churches as Parson's Warden, It was resolved on the motion of Mr Long, seconded by Mr C. Bowden, jun., that Mr C. A. Taylor be elected People's Warden. It was decided that the number of vestry-men be five, and the following were declared elected for the ensuing year : —Messrs J. F. Andrew, C. Bowden, sen., C. L, Long, Geo. Peckham and F. Potts. Mr C. Bowden, jun., was elected auditor, A vote of thanks to the outgoing wardens, vestry, ladies' committee of parsonage fund, lay-readers, choir and Sunday school teachers closed the meeting. We printed the annual report in Tuesday's issue and gave the totals of the balancesheet. Mutual Improvement Society.—A meeting of those interested in the Mutual Improvement Society formation was held in the Public Library readingroom on Thursday evening last. Those present were Messrs Mandeno, Vause, Bockett, Peckham, Culver, Reid and Lewis. Mr Mandeno was voted to the chair, and in a few introductory remarks said that he had quite expected to see a large meeting ; however, no doubt others would roll up when the Society gets into full swing. The Secretary (Mr Reid) read the correspondence received since the last meeting. Mr Cottrell, of Rangiaohia, wrote accepting the position of President of the Society, which letter the Chairman and others present thought should appear in the report sent to the press. The letter was as follows :—" I received the notice calling a meeting for the above object, but was unable to attend—English mail business preventing me replying in time for your meeting. Since then I have received your letter, dated July Ist inst., informing mc that I have been unanimously requested to accept the office of President. Really I hardly know what to 6ay for the intended honour, feeling that there are others near the town who would be far more useful to the society than I ever can be. I believe it is generally known that I hardly ever go from "home at night, and I am fully aware that a President is sometimes at least expected to preside and take part in the business of the society, which I am unable to do. The object of a Mutual Improvement Society is laudable and good, and I urn personally extremely pleased that the young men of Te Awamutu have banded themselves together for mutual improvement. As their wish or vote was unanimous I do not see how I can refuse the honour kindly bestowed for so desirable a cause." A letter was also received from Mr Lang, M.H.R., regretting not being able to be present at the first meeting, but he would be glad to do any thiug in his power to assist in making the society a success. The secretary was instructed to write and thank both gentlemen for their kindness. A rough copy of the rules as read acd amended were approved by the meeting. It was decided to hold an opening concert on the 28th inst., and a committee meeting on Monday evening next. At the close of the meeting the secretary (Mr Reid) stated that owing to his leaving the district he was compelled to resign, Mr Reid's resignation was accepted with regret, and a vote of thanks was passed for his services in connection with the formation of the society. It was decided to ask Mr Ward to be secretary and treasurer. Dr. Hosking and the Rev. W. Smith both wrote stating that they would give every assistance to the society. Social.—A social in connection with the Town Band took place in the hall on Thursday evening last and was somewhat poorly attended. It is understood that these gatherings will be held once a fortnight. Influenza.—Like other parts of the district, we are having our share of sickness, in nearly all instances influenza or la grippe being the complaint. Even our much-respected constable (Mr Jones) has not escaped, and is now laid up in bed with a -very severe attack, (.onstable Fitzgerald, of Auckland, was seut up to take temporary charge on Tuesday, and on Thursday was laid up with the same complaint and returned to Auckland yesterday for treatment. Constable Carroll is also off duty, but I am sorry to say that it is owing to the illness of his wife, who is now hovering between life and death. —(Own Correspondent).