Cambridge West School.

Waikato Times, Volume XVI, Issue 1338, 27 January 1881, Page 3

Cambridge West School.

The annual meeting of householders of Cambridge West School District -was held in the school-room on. the 24th ultimo, There were twelve present. In the absence of the chairman (Mr Francis Hicks), Mr William Reynolds waa vqted to the chair. The Secretary was requested to read the report, also statement of receipts and expenditure, A 8 foe school waa only opened

two months previous to the holidays, there was no repoit prepared further than to state there were 43 children on the roll, and that the committee desired to express their thanks to all those friends who had subscribed in aid of the donation required by tho Board of Education, viz., £50, to be raised by the district before commencing to build. The Secretary was empowered to collect subscriptions, and the result was about £72 promised, of which £63 had been paid, one of tho friends agreeing to keep the aohool clean for six months in lieu of a money subscription. Statement of receipts and expenditure: Receipts : By subscriptions, £63 ; Board of Education, grant to school fund, £5 : total, £68. Expenditure: By draft to Education Board, £50; exchange, £1 3s; advertising, £6; minuto-book and stationery, £6 2s ; freight on maps, 2a 6d ; school requisites, £2 los 4d ; balance in bank and in hand, £14 8s 9d: total, £68 Election of School Committee for year 1881. The following householders were nominated: — Messrs Francis Hicks, Tobias W. Hicks, William Howie, Hugh Eitzgerald, Edward Allen, j'nn., James Eeeley, and Henry Willoughby. No others beintr proposed, the chairman declared the above to bo duly elected. A vote of thanks to the chairman closed the publio meeting. Fmt Meeting of Committee. On the motion of Mr Howie, Mr T. W. Hicks was elected chairman pro km., in tho absence of Mr Francis Hicks. It was proposed and seconded that Mr Fmnci* Hicks be permanent chairman. — Carried. It was proposed and seconded that Mr Hugrh Fitzgerald be secretary. — G'ariied. It was resolved that tho Secretary write to tho Ceritr.il Board, requesting that future meetings of the Local Committee be held at 6 p.m. instead of 4 p.m. It was unanimously resolved to have a soiice, concert and dance, in aid of tho school fund*, in the month of March, at or near full moon, of which duo notice will be given by advertisement in tho Waikato Tiaiiis, p.ich of the committee to endeavour to make the Mime a success.

Kihikihi. Tin: annual meeting of householders for the election of a School Comm'ttco was held iv the sehoohoom, on Monday evening. There was an unusually largo attendance; Major Jackson presided. Mr Cowan, chairman of the out-going committee, re.ul the .statements of accounts and balance-sheet, which showed a credit balance of fouipeneo but, as per contra, a debt of some eighteen shillings yet rem lining for printing 1 . The report on being put to the meeting was passed, and the nomination of candidates proceeded with. With such eagerness and rapidity wore names given iv that nearly every man's name in the room,and mauy absentees, were enrolled in no time, the majority cautiously avoiding the names of the l<ito committee. rinally,af ter .some considerable delay and disou*&on, during which preparations were mfde for the ballot, the following were declared duly elected, viz,, Messrs, Farrell, Thomas Mavmder, Elmsley, Potterton, Gordon, and McDoncll. Mr Aahby was appointed Auditor. I have said that the attendance on this occasion was unusually large, and I have to add that the interest felt by everybody piebont, was proportionate. The cause of this is attributable to the alleged shortcomings of the late committee, and which have been the .subject of veiy unfavourable comment, in consequence of the .school room — thoio is uo other public building available — being refused for meetings and social gatheiings. In this w.iy, matters weio intensified recently, bytho refusal of the room to Major Mirmctt, and the Ro»\ Mr Phillips to hold a church veshy meeting, They had, m consequence to adjourn to the nearest hotel ; consequently, Major Minnett took the oppoitimity to be present .it the annual meeting, to bring forward a resolution censuring very severely all concerned in the harsh and ungracious refusal of the school, at night tune, for so laudable a purpose. This caused a warm and animated discussion; the committee denied having been concerned in the refusal. Tlie teacher also said, his orders were stringent and imperative, not tv give the key without the orders of the Chairman, who unfortunately happened to be in Auckland at the tune. One gentleman endeavomed to throw oil on the troubled waters, by bunging forward a lesolution slightly apologetic, but the gallant Major held out; he would have no half mccisiue. The lebolution was seconded, and warmly supported by Mr Moncncff, and earned unanimously. The new committee held their first meeting at the time appointed and selected Mr F. Gordon, Chairman. It is to be regiotted that the meeting, in Older to gam its point against the late committee, have overlooked the one sacred thing necussaiy, that is discrimination in the selection of tho individuals, to whom by the laws of their adopted countiy, they aic bound to hand over the education of their children. Two members of the committee have since lesigned, viz., Messis Farrell and McJDouel). — (Own Conespondeut.)

Te Awamutu. The annual meeting of householder to elect a school committee was held on Monday. Mr "Walton having been voted to the chair, read the Comnnsaioncis' loport, from which it appealed that, notwithstanding the leceipts from the Board ot Education had been less than in pievious years, the expenses had been kept within the income, and yet the school building had been well looked after, and some tree-plnnting and other permanent improvements been made in the school grounds, and a sum of £18 10s Sd was in hand to the credit of the school fund, being a sum slightly in excess of last year's balance. In the matter of special grants, the district had been very well treated by the Board of Education. The new school, which was opened on the sth April, had been furnished with all requisites, and the teacher's house put in a thorough state of repair. There hod been two inspections of the school during the year ; one by the Chief Inspector, Mr O'Sullivan, who took more "official" iuterest in its success, and another by Mr Goodwin, Assistant Inspector, who classified the pupils under proper standards. Having been connected with the Bchool from its commencement, the Commissioners could state, after reviewing the pact that, the school was never in such a good state as at present, and had never had such a thorough teacher as Mr Benge, the present master, and that as Mrs Benge, who held a high class certificate had been appointed assistant teacher parents might confilently look for more satisfactory results in the future. It also appeared that notwithstanding the clerical outcry of godless education the Rev. J. Mandeno was the only minister who attended to give religious in»truction to such as were willing to receive it. From the absence of accrimonious disputes, as in the " good old times" of school committes, and as no complaint of any kind had been made, and the parents and friends of the pupils had shown great interest in the school during the year, it was evident that "Commissioners'' were best for Te Awamutu, and, probably also for the country schools, and the Commissioners accept it as proof that their official acts had been approved of. After the reading of the report, the householders preseuse,xpresae.d, t^en^ves

highly gratified at the success which had attended the administration of affairs by the Commissioners, Messrs Walton and Winstone, and after a vote of thanks for their past services, they were unanimously requested to continue in office. Mr Wmstone stated business would prevent his continuing in office, and Mr Walton said he would prefer the appointment of two fresh men. There was no desire expressed to appoint a committee, and as the meeting was only called for that purpose, it accordingly lapsed. A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the proceedings.