MASTERTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 6, Issue 1791, 18 September 1884, Page 2

MASTERTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

The ordinary monthly meeting was held last evening, Prosent—Messrs.Boddirjgtori (Chairman), Lowes, Galloway, Woodroofe, and Payton, The minutes of the.previous meeting were road and confirmed. The Treasurer reported a credit balance of 137 4s Id, Corrospondence was read, from the Borough Council forwarding a copy of the Insneotor's report re public school, From the head master, giving the cost ot mathematical instruments for prizes, and explaining the disiribution of sewing prizes last year. The report of the luspector was then considered. It spoke well of the general cleanliness of tho school grounds, but suggested substituting iron night boxeß for the wooden ones in use. On tho motion of Mr Payton it was decided to give effect to the recommendations of the Inspector, Mr Woodroofe objecting to the opinions expressed by the Inspector, but not opposing the resolution,

On the prize question, it waß raolved that the Chairman and Messrs Galloway

and Payton be a sub-committee to decide upon the allocation of the 110 vote,

Mr Woodroofe called attention to the clause of the Actenabling Boards to sub" sidise Bohool libraries'.' • The following report was read:- ■ Sin-Owing to the outbreak of Diptheria and Scarlet Fever the attendance during the last month has been very email. The average attendance was' only 249; the highest registered attendance being 397, and tho lower! 127. •I regret to report that Miss Riemenschneider has beon so seriously ill as to prevent her- attendance at the school during the month. E. Lee, Esq., district inspector, visited the school on the 28th ult,. and examined the High Sohool classes in Latin, Mathematics, aid French. The result of the examination •will, I understand, be forwarded from Wellington to the committee shortly, • j The library sub-committee have placed a library cupboard in the school corridor, and have added 153 volumes to those already obtained, malting a total in all of 200 volumes upon the slwlves. 1 beg to thank the committee heartily for the kind interest they have displayed in this matter, I would respectfully suggest to the committee the advisability of sinking a pipe to the well and filling up tho present open well. I am, &c, W.T. Grundy,

Headmaster. Mr Lowes aaid some children had complained that the water tasted badly at the school, and he suggested that a pipe should be driveu and the well rilled up. Mr Woodroofo objected to the well being filled up, A forcß pump could not bn used with a pipe for a mouth or, two after the latter was driven.

The Chairman and Mr Lowes were appointed to take the necessary steps to supply pure water to the school.

The Chairman reported with respeot to the outbreak of diptheria- that two children • attending the school had died from the disease, and, in consequence' he had consulted the visiting member as to the atej a _ necessary to bo taken to prevent infection. Dr. Hosking advised that the school Bhould not be closed, but that it should be fumigated, and any children attending from houses where sickness prevailed should be' excluded. Letters had appeared in the Preer accusing'the Commituto of. criminal negligence and had created a feeling of uneasiness. The result, howevor, showed that the course takon by the Cominittoo waß a right one, as no subsequent case could be traced to the school, (Hear! Hear I) The following accounts were then paoaed for payment :-J, Payton aud Co , £[ 8s; Mrs Shepherd, £i 10s; Wcotl & Cavanagh,£l2o6d. The Chairman, as a member of the Bub-couiniitteo appointed to report on the truant question asked for an extension of time.—Agreed to.

Mr Lowes asked if any reply had beeu received from the Board re additional accommodation.

The Chairman said ihat they had a definite promise that it should he provided as soou as funds were available. Mr Lowes said he observed that tho Board had entered into » contract to expend £2,200 for increased school accommodation on the Wellington Terrace. He did not question tho propriety of this expenditure, but thought when Bohoolß like their own were ove:>i crowdod a useless decoration in the shape of an 80 foot tower was unjustifiable. This tower would cost as much money as would build the additions required to the Maßterton School. Thore was no telling, an the summer advanced that the crowded stalo of the infant classes in the Masterton school would not create a greater scare than ihe recent diptheria alarm. He moved that the Board be asked to proceed with the additions promised at once aud that the representatives of the district at the Board be asked to support the application. Mr Payton seconded the motion, aud that the attention of the Board should be called id the two fatal cases •which had bsen connected with, the overcrowded infant classes, aud the serious responsibility which rested on the Board if further sickness broke out in these classes, Mr Woodroofe advocated a second school being opened to relieve the.infmt classes in the main building. The Chairman agreed that the time would come when a side school would be necessary, hut it had not yet arrived. The motion was put and carried. Mr Woodroofe ther. endeavored to raise an irregular discussion on one of bis pot. hobbies, military drill, and concluded by a notice of motion to expunge tho celebrated "five minutes" resolution which the Committee had passed for his benefit at the previous meeting. Mr Payton was appointed visiting member for the ensuing month. The meeting then adjourned,