SCHOOL COMMITTEE ELECTIONS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2486, 27 April 1909, Page 5

SCHOOL COMMITTEE ELECTIONS.

GISBORNE. The annual meeting o! householders in the Gisborne School District was held in the schoolhonse last night. There was a large/ attendance. Mr. John Somervell was voted to the chair. The annual report of the committee (previously published) was taken as read. In moving the adoption of the report, the chairman claimed that the committee had worked well together for the benefit of the school, and there had been no discord, no inharmonious working. Anything that was required for tlio comfort of the children had been reported to the committee, and had been attended to. The incoming committee had a large work to face in the improvement of the grounds, and he hoped that the new committee would work as well together as the old committee had, and in the best interests of he school. Tlio election of a committee for the ensuing year resulted as follows: Revs. V. Grant and L. Dawson Thomas, Mrs Walker, Miss Morice, Messrs John Somervell, F. W. Riach, G. Wildish, A. Spence, and G. E. Darton.

While nominations were being received, the Itev. F. W. Cnatterton brought up the question of having ladies on the committee. He did not know what the custom was in past -ears, but Re thought that tlie time had come when they should have a few ladies on the committee.

The- Chairman concurred with this suggestion, remarking that ladies were eligible for election, and in his opinion were quite ns well qualified to act on ;e committee.

Rev. \Vm. Grant proposed a hearty vote of congratulation to the Headmaster (Mr. Rowley) and his staff for the excellent work done through the

car as shown by the splendid report received irom the Inspector. Mr. John Colley said that it was all

very well for a committeeman to taik about the report, but as a householder (and there were plenty more) he would like to hear the report read. Mr. Grant was asking thm to vote regarding a report they knew nothing about. The Chairman said that the report was not published, as it was' for the benefit of the teachers of the school, and because, if it were, the children coukl criticise their teachers. A change had conic < ver the spirit of teaching now, and the children of this age wanted to go to school and bad no desire to play truant, if my parson wanted any information, the report was the property of the Headmaster, .and there was little doubt that he would tell them anything they wanted to know.

The Rev. F. W. Cliatterton seconded the motion.

The Rev. Win. Grant explained that the school had attained a high standard of proficiency. Mr. Colley again asked to see the report. Mr. Creamer supported Mr. Colley’s contention. They could not vote on an inspector’s report they had never seen. The Rev. Will. Grant rose to a point of order.’ He said he did ask anyone to vote on tlie Inspector’s report. He had merely mentioned it in passing. In response to the Chairman’s invitation, the Rev. Win. Grant then handed in the following resolution in writing: “That this meeting pass a motion congratulating the Headmaster and staff on the efficiency attained in the school during the past year, as evidenced by the number of children attaining proficiency certificates at the Inspectors’ examination.” ■Mr. Colley seconded the motion, which was supported by the Chairman and carried with applause. Mr. Rowley thanked the mooting for their kindness in passing such a vote. It was a pleasure to be able to have the sympathy of the committee and tho householders generally. Mr. Kinder asked if tlie Chairman would justify in some way the handing over of the High School to the Board of Governors.

The Chairman said that they had not really handed the school over to the Board of Governors, who had really just taken their ow.i school. Mr. Kinder asked if the Board of Governors had not had to got the keys am) permission to enter the building from him (M)\ Somervell) before they could got iu. The Chairman explained t-liat the Board of Governors had got nothing from him. They had got- their authority from the Department in Wellington, and were instructed to disestablish the District High School. Mr. Kinder: Who gave them permission to go in when the Hawke's Bay Education Board said they were not to go in. Mr. Wildish said that the school committee had given no permission to anyone to enter the school buildings. Mr. Kinder was proceeding to put further questions to the Chairman. Mr E. G. Matthews rose to a point of order. He did not think it right for any householder to come and cross-ex-amine the Chairman. If lie had any objection let him say it and sit down. (Hear, hear). The Chairman said he was perfectly willing to answer any questions which might bo put to him. Ho knew that it r. Kinder was an aggrieved person , but it was not the fault of the committee that lie had ‘ uccn a sufferer, but through the Board of Governors, who paid his salary. They evidently thought they could got a bettor master, but whether they had done so or not lie could not say.

Mr. W. Morgan said that as a member of the Hawke’s Bay Education Board he wished to say that the Board had nevei- refused permission to the Board of Governors to enter the school buildings. On the motion of the Rev. F. vv. Chatterton. seconded by Mr. H. Miller, a vote of thanks was passed to the outgoing committee. .. , Mr. Geo. Wildish drew attention to the coming social on May 6th and 7th, in aid of the school funds, and asked for the co-oporation of all householders in order to make the social a success. Mr. Rowley said he would like to express to the parents of the children that not nlono was their sympathy wanted hut also their active support in the matter of improving the school grounds. If thov got that support, he wa« quite sure that the social ana the work would be a great success. A vote of thanks to. the chairman terminated the meeting. _ At a subsequent meeting of the newly elected committee, Mr. John Somervell was re-elected chairman,- Mr. • W.’Riach treasurer, and Mr. W. L. File secretary. . L , , Permission was granted to the school teachers to have the use of the school tennis courts on Saturdays and liolulaj s throughout the winter months. Miss E. Ambridge and Mr H. Blackie were appointed to the vacancies existing for assistants at the school, and it wins decided that the' committee .con-

tinue to meet on the last Friday in each month. During the meeting of the committee members took the opportunity of welcoming the ladies who Had been elected to the committee.

MANGAPAPA

The annual householders’ meeting at the Mangapapa School last evening was not well attended. Mr. -W. H. Smith was elected to the' chair, and read a letter from the Technical School secretary bringing before the householders the fact that a meeting was to be held in the Poverty Bay tea-rooms, Lowe Street, this afternoon re the formation at the Technical School of a class for the teaching of cooking of food for invalids..

After the adoption of the annual report (already published), the election of a committee for the ensuing year resulted in the retiring committee being re-elected, the members being:—Messrs M. McLeod, G. Brown, E. Grundy, E. S. Goldsmith, A. Coad, \\ . H. Smith, and T. Eilery. Mr. M. McLeod moved a hearty vote of thanks and appreciation to the staff for their work during the past year, lie said it was a great pity householders did not take a greater interest in the annual meeting. One of the two scholarship niedais awarded by the Hawke’s Bay Education Board had gone to Mangapapa School, and they should take a pride in their school. The work of the staff was not only judged by the gaining of the scholarship, but by the fact that the inspector’s report was always satisfactory. Mr. Coad seconded the motion, winch was carried with acclamation. Mr. Colo (headmaster), on behalf of tho staff, returned thanks for the vote just passed, and also for the manner in which the committee had helped the teachers during the past year. He was sure that no committee had done more to forward the interest of the school and children than the Mangapapa School Committee. He sakl that the accommodation at the school*.was fox 204 children, and on many days the attendance had been over 200, and he feltsure that before the winter was over the average attendance would amount to 201. putting them in the first grade of 3C‘^lool^. Votes of thanks were a’so recorded to the members of the northern ward and to the press, the meeting then concluding with a vote of thanks to the chair. At their meeting at the conclusion or the householders’ meeting, the committee re-elected Mr. M. McLeod as chairman, and Mr. Goldsmith secretary and treasurer. A letter was received from the Education Board regarding the application for a partition in the infant A copv of Inspector Smith’s report, wnicli had" been adopted, was enclosed. The report stated that it- was not advisable to interfere with the present arrangements, as the school was rapidly growing, and the question of additional accommodation would have t-o he considered at no distant meeting. The chairman regarded the rep y as very satisfactorv, as it showed the Board wa.-> aware the school was growmg. It decided to write to the Board applying for a baize curtain to divide the room for the present. The Board also wrote re the matter of a male assistant, stating that it was difficult to secure a male teacher, and suggesting that Miss Anrbridge be taken as an assistant, and also Mrs. Brody, whose references to the Board were enclosed. —It was decided to agree to the suggestion of the* Board and notify them. Acting on the suggestion of the householders the question ofc the collection of quarter money was and in view of the small amount collectea it was decided to discontinue the collection. „ , The Cook County Council wrote applying to the committee for t;.-e use of the schoolroom on Friday nigm for the purpose of holding a meeting to discuss tramway proposals.—The request was acceded to. It was resolved that the secretan and chairman should sign cheques for the committee, and that the night o* meet in <.->• should be the third Friday in each month. and at the mvitation ot the chairman it was decided to hold the meetings at his house during the winter months.

KAITI. There were only about half-a-dozen householders present at the meeting held last evening in the Haiti School to elect the School Committee for the ensuing year. Most of those present were members of the retiring committoe, and it was only after considerable waiting that it was decided to hold the meeting. Mr. C. A. dcLautour was voted to the chair, and congratulated the retiring committee on the condition of the school, and upon the educational work done during the year. The annual report (as already published) was read and adopted. The following gentlemen were then elected the School Committee for the ensuing year:—Messrs Sims, Humphreys, Rowon. Fvson, Burgess, Hay, and McDowell. A letter from Mr. W. Morgan was read drawing attention to the classes to be commenced in connection with the Technical School for cooking for invalids. A vote of thanks yas passcu to the headmaster (Mr. Bull) and the staff for their efficient work during the year. Mr. Bull briefly replied, and proposed a vote of thanks to the retiring committee. —The motion was carried unanimously. The newly-elected committee then met and appointed Mr. Fyson chairman and Mr. Sims secretary. The night of meeting was lixOd for the last Friday in the month. ORMOND? The annual meeting of householders of the Ormond School district was held in the Schbolhousc yesterday evening. .Sixteen householders were present, and Mr J E. Benson, chairman of the retiring School Committee, presided. The "annual report of the committee, and the balance-sheet, which were of -a satisfactory character, were - adopted. The following were elected as the committee for the ensuing year Messrs J. E. Benson, C. Neenan, M. McMillan, j Gower, C. Gordon, T. Mack-ay, and the Rev. E. Walker. At a meeting of the committee held subsequently, Mr. J. E. Benson was elected chairman.

PUHA. The inaugural meeting of householders of the ncwlv-defined school district of Pulia was held last evening, and was largely attended. Mr. W. L. Spence presided. The election of a committc resulted in the following gentlemen being appointed:—-Messrs D. Ma.one, T H "McGregor, W. Goldsmith, 3. Pearce, A. McCorkindale, W. L. Spence! and TI. S. Briant. Mr, W . L.

pence was elected chairman, sv tary, and treasurer. The timber \ • the new school is now on the grounv and no time will be lost in the erection of the building.