SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3741, 20 February 1891, Page 2

SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Masterton School Committee was held last evening. Present—Messrs W M Easthope (in the chair), Z M Hoar, C E Danieli, H E Eton, and W Prangnell. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The Treasurer reported receipts for the month of £2O and expenditure £45 13s 7d, leaving a debit balance of £25 13s 7d. Correspondence. From Education Board, stating that the sum of £3O had been voted to enable the Committee to pay off the liability for the water supply, and a cheque would be forwarded on March Ist. From F. Huxfcable, stating that as he was leaving the district he could not clean the school after the end of the month. From Education Board, enclosing the names of persons nominated for seats on the Education Board. From Messrs A W Brown and John Young, soliciting the support of the Committee in their candidature for seats ort the Board. Cleaning' the School The resignation of Mr Huxtable as school cleaner was accepted.

On the motion of Mr Danieli it was resolved that tenders be called for the position. Education Board Election. Mr Daniells suggested the sending of circulars to various schools in the district, stating for whom this Committee intended to vote. Mr Eton thought this would bo a good idea. Mr Daniells: We should vote if possible for local candidates. Mr Prangnell: We had better plump for Mr M'Cardle to secure his return. The Chairman thought that in the interests of the school they should vote for three persons. Mr Eton moved that the vote of this committee be given to Messrs Brown, M'Cardle, and sfoung. Mr Daniells seconded.—Carried. Teachers' Report. The headteacher of the school reported thai the number on the roll was 576; the average attendance 471, and the persentage 82. The school was almost completely free from sickness at the present time. A number of children had been absent since the holidays. It was resolved that Sergeant Price be requested to take action against parents neglecting to send their children to School.Miss Keeling reported that twentyseven children had been admitted to the Infant School during the month. The number on the roll was now 118, the average atten dance 56, the highest attendance 109, and the lowest attendance 68. Mr Eton, visiting member for the month, stated that he had visited the infant school and Miss Keeling had called his attention to the need for blackboards. Mr Jackson stated that the main school was urgently in need of blackboards also, Latrines. Mr Eton reported that he had inspected the latrines at the mam school and found that they were very defective. After some disoussion it was decided to call the Board's attention to the defect, and ask for authority to remedy it. The Secretary was instructed to call the attention of the contractor for cleaning the closets to the fact that he was not complying wjth, the specifications with regard to earth. It was also resolved to request the contractor to provide a winter supply of earth. Finances. • Tha Treasurer read the balance sheet for the year ending March 31st. The receipts, amounted to £SO and the expenditure io £BS 10s 5,d, With promises of subscriptions he had received, the debit balance was actually £3l. The Chairman : Have wo received anything from the Town Lands Trustees?

The Secretary: Nothing. The Chairman: If we had received our usual »rant, wha,t position would we be in 2

fbe Secretary : We should have a 'jalanoe of about £BO,

Mr Prangnell moved, in view of the incidental expenses of the school, that application be made to the Town Lands Trustees for a grant of £25, and that the Secretary prepare a statement of works necessary .to be undertaken,, 'i}he Chairman suggested that the Town Lands Trustees be asked to furnish the Committee with a reply to the request of the recent deputation. He was beginning to. lopk upon the action of the Trust with grave suspicion,

Mr Prangnell said if the Trustees i did not grant the request of' the Committee he would make one to call a meeting of residents to consider their action. He was surprised that the press had been so silent on the matter. Mr Daniell complained of the want oE courtesy displayed hy the Trust in nqt replying to the recent deputation. Mr Hoar : The money belongs to the public and the public should have the handling of it. The Chairman thought they had grounds for complaint that the funds for primary education, were being withheld, Mr Eton said it appeared to h m that the Committee wanted to dictate to the Trust how they should spend their money. They would not be dictated to.

Mr Prangnell: We do not want to dictate, but we want our rights. The Chairman: The Trust has gone quite outside the meaning of the Act.

After some further discussion the following resolution was put and carried :—" That applicatien be made to the Town Lands Trust for a grant of £25 in aid of clearing off the liabilities of the School Committee ; that it be pointed out to the Trust that no grant has been made during the past year ; that an explanation why the usual grant has been withheld be asked for; aud that a statement of the liabilities of the Commit* tee be forwarded to the Trust. The action of the Committee in neglejtin.g to answer the application of the Committee for a grant in aid was commented on. Mr Daniell : My impression is that there is not a gentleman on the Trust. Mr Prangnel Hear, hear. On the motion of Mr Daniell, seconded by Mr Prangnell, the following resolution was put and carried : That this committee express surprise that no reply has as yet been received from the Town Lands Trust to the application for a grant and to the ifequest of the deputation from the Masterton and Ferm-idgq'schools as promised hy the Chairman.

Okdinary. A sub-committee was appointed to open tenders for cleaning. Mr E. Feist was appointed visiting member for the month. The meeting then adjourned.