SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 128, 28 October 1874, Page 4

SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

RIOCARTON.

The adjourned annual meeting of householders in the Riccatton district, for the election of a school committee and auditors, took place last Monday. There was a very fair attendance, and the chair was occupied by the Rev C. Bowen. The chairman gave a summary of the work done during the previous year by the school committee, after which a discussion took place as to the advisability of establishing a side school at Fendaltown. Ultimately Messrs O'Callaghan and Leatham were appointed a committee to see how many children there are in that district of the age to attend school. The rev chairman then read the following annual report:— "At the time of the last annual meeting, the new school buildings had just been completed and opened for use. The experience of the past year has proved them to be in all respects well fitted to their purpose. A suit able dwelling has meanwhile been erected for the master, into which he has moved this day. The house itself was finished some time since, but it was thought best to postpone its occupation until the end of the winter quarter, so as to allow of the walls becoming thoroughly dry, and of painting and other necessary works being carried out inside and outside the .building. The committee have now the satisfaction of handing over to the district the site and buildings complete in all the particulars of the plan originally proposed to be undertaken. In bringing this part of their work to a conclusion, the committee wish to draw attention to the fact that they have kept their expenditure, as they were bound to do, strictly within the limits of the sum which could be rightly claimed by the district, and which is made up of the grant from the Board of Education —equal to five-sixths of the total outlay—added to the amount of the property rate originally levied on the proclamation of the district, and which represents the remaining one-sixth. It will be seen that the calculations of the committee have thus been accurately fulfilled, and that the educational requirements of the district have been met, and all needful appliances provided, without the necessity of levying more than one rate upon the district. The committee are of opinion that this result will be more satisfactory to property holders than if they had been harrassed by the imposition of several rates of smaller amount from time to time during the progress of the works. Subjoined to this report will be found a statement of expenditure on site and buildings, together with the usual abstract (d ily audited) of receipts and payments on current account for maintenance.

" The new buildings were designed to accommodate a mixed school, with an average attendance of from 150 to 180 scholars. On their completion, however, the committee, having engaged the services of a highly qualified mistress, as well as of an efficient assistant mistress, determined to try the experiment of separating the sexes, so far as the elder pupils were concerned, thus practically dividing the school into three departments, consisting of boys, girls, and junior scholars respectively. The first report of the inspectors, Messrs Restell and Hammond, both of£ whom examined the school before the Christmas holidays, was not so favorable as usual, but this was readily to be accounted for by the fact that the new organisation had hardly had time to get into working order, and also that a large number of new scholars had been admitted during the quarter. However, the new arrangement evidently did not find favor with a large number of the parents of the children, and representations to that effect were made to the committee. Notwithstanding, it was determined to give the new system a full and fair trial, and to make no further change until after the next examination in June. The results of this examination, which was a very thorough one and occupied two days, were quite satisfactory as showing a fair progress on the part of the scholars and entire efficiency on that of the teachers, the boys and girls of parallel classes being called up together, and exhibiting a remarkable equality in attainments and general proficiency. Mr Restell, howler, the chief inspector, who conducted the examination, while bearing testimony to the satisfactory results so far attained, reported in strong terms upon the waste of teaching power manifest in the conduct of the school

upon the separate system. Influenced by this report, and by the known wishes of a majority of the parents, the committee decided at their next meeting to revert to the mixed system in force at Riccarton school for many years with excellent results. The committee trust that their action in dealing with this vexed and difficult question will meet with the approval of the inhabitants of the district generally. They think it only fair to add that the change reflects in no way upon the mistress's charaater for efficiency as a teacher, which was amply sustained by the results of the examination. Since last year part of the school district of Riccarton has been formed into a separate district under the title of the Yaldhurst Educational District. The committee offered no opposition to the severance of this part of the district, which is too far removed from Riccarton school to allow of anything like regular attendance on the part of the children inhabiting it. They look forward to the establishment of another school in due time at Fendalton.

"Before concluding their report the committee desire to congratulate the district on the success achieved by Riccarton school in the recent Government scholarship's examination. W. Sword's position in the list of competitors reflects creditalikeon scholar and teacher. This is the fifth scholarship gained by members of this school, including two at Christ's College. The committee trust that the school, under wise managers and zealous teachers, will long maintain the high position which it has always held among the primary schools of Canterbury. " Croasdale Bowen, " Chairman." The report was unanimously adopted. The election of the new committee was next proceeded with, when the following gentlemen were declared to be elected : Kev C. Bowen, and Messrs J. P. O'Callaghan, H. F. Gray, J H. Twentyman, L. Harper! J. B. Hanson, J. Hayton, and Webster. Messrs P. Hanmer and T. Clarkson were elected auditors. On the motion of Mr P. Hanmer, a vote of thanks was passed to the retiring committee and auditors. A discussion of a conversational |nature ensued, relative to establishing a library in

the district, when it was decided to leave the matter in the hands of the new committee.

A vote of thanks to the chairman brought the meeting to a close. At a committee meeting held subsequently the Rev C. Bowen was re-elected chairman. HILLSBOROUGH AND OPAWA. The annual meeting, which had been postponed through the inclemency of the weather, was held last Monday in the district schoolroom. Mr C. Jones, chairman of the district, in the chair. The annual report, which we have published previously, was read over, and unanimously adopted. The election of the committee was then proceeded with, which resulted in Messrs Jones, Joblin, Reardon, Duncan, Newbury, Needham, Sandford, Leversedge, and Captain Rowe being elected. Mr Ford was elected auditor to the district. A meeting of the library committee was held after ; the annual report was read, with the balance sheet, which showed that the expenditure had been £36 16s, and the receipts, £76 2s 6d, leaving a credit balance of £39 7s 6d. The committee elected were the same as the school committee. A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the proceedings,

LOWER HEATHCOTE. This district held its annual meeting last Monday, when there was a moderate attendance of ratepayers, Mr R. Davis, the district chairman, in the chair. The annual report and balance-sheet which have been publisned previously were read over and unanimously adopted. Previous to the election of officers, Mr March said he would like to say a few words with reference to the working of the Education Ordinance, It had been carried out most satisfactorily in this district, but there was one clause which had not been attended to—which previous committees had ignored in fact —and that was the 62nd clause of the Ordinance. He now wished to test the opinion of the householders on that question. Mr March entered fully into the subject, and concluded by moving the following resolution —" That it be an instruction to the committee appointed to conduct the business of the echool for 1874-5, to bring into operation the 62nd clause of the Education Ordinance." The motion having been seconded, Mr Bamford spoke against the motion, saying that the committee had never received any notice from any clergyman to give religious instruction. Mr Staples objected to religious instruction being given on week days by denominationalists. Mr March having replied, the motion was put to the meeting and lost by a large majority. The Chairman then read the Ordinance with regard to the election of committee. The following gentlemen were then elected members of committee for ensuing year—viz. Messrs Davis, Beresford, Ranie, Bamford, March, Palmer, Staples, and Davis Messrs York and Berrisford were elected auditors. A unanimous vote of thanks was passed to Mr R. Davis for his services as chairman during the last year, which terminated the proceedings. At a meeting of the committee held afterwards, Mr Bamford was unanimously elected chairman, on the motion of Mr March, seconded by Mr R. Davis*