SCHOOL BOARD Thursday, Jan. 26th. Present—Messrs. J. R. Crawley (chairman), W. Brown, R. Marchant, and S. Pettit.—The Clerk submitted a testimonial for Miss A. E. Marchant, a late pupil teacher, which was duly signed by the Board. The treasurer reported that Miss A. E. Marchant agreed to the terms of the Board to assist in the school for a short time as a temporary pupil teacher, and would commence her duties forthwith.—The Chairman (Mr. J. R. Crawley) said the district Auditor (Mr. Allen) wished the Board to change the place of the annual audit of accounts from the Board Schoolroom at Stanwick to the Union Board Room at Thrapston. The Board considered it would be very inconvenient to hold the annual audit of accounts at that place, and altogether disapproved of it. It was therefore resolved not to change the place of holding the annual audit from the Board Schools, which had been sanctioned by the Education Department, and the Clerk was instructed to acquaint the auditor with the decision of the Board.—The Attendance Officer presented his monthly report, and orders were made thereon. An application for the remission of the fees of certain parents was not granted, the Board considering there was no necessity for it.—The question of continuing to hold a house in reserve for the schoolmaster if it remained untenanted was brought before the Board by Mr. Brown, who considered it a waste of money to hire a house for a long time if it could not be sublet. The Board said it was a difficult matter to get a house at any time. The matter was allowed to stand over for a time.—Mr. Pettit gave notice of motion for changing the time of holding the Board meetings.— A circular was read from the Education Department, asking for particulars as to the working of the Education Acts in the district under the jurisdiction of the Board. The Clerk was requested to forward the following statement:—That the population of the district was a little under 700; that there was no deficiency in school accommodation; that the Board employed one attendance officer; that there had been no prosecution of parents, and consequently no fines or attendance orders made, and no committals to industrial schools; that there had been no prosecution of employers. Under the head of observations the Board stated it as their opinion that the law would be much better if it were altered for every child to go to school until it was 10 years of age, instead, of standards being the test. The quarterly accounts were then presented and ordered to be paid, and the Board adjourned.

SCHOOL BOARD MEETING, Thursday, Feb. 23rd.—Present—Messrs. J. R. Crawley (chairman), Wm. Brown, R. Marchant, and S. Pettitt.—The Clerk reported the receipt of a letter from the auditor asking for information respecting the decision of the Board in relation to holding the annual audit at the Board-room, Thrapston, and stated that he had written acquainting the auditor of the Board's disapproval of the change.—Mr. Pettitt reported that he had let the schoolmaster's house. He also reported the receipt of £30, the amount of precept issued by the Board on the overseers, and other minor receipts.—Applications for the use of the schoolroom for entertainments from the schoolmasters and the committee of Stanwick Reading-room were granted.—The Clerk reported that in accordance with a request of the Board he had audited the School Penny Bank account for the year ending Dec. 31, 1881. The number of scholars who were depositors was 23. Amount deposited by scholars during the year £4 14s. 7d., withdrawals, 3s. 6d.; amount standing to their credit Dec. 31, £4 11s. 1d. In Post Office Savings Banks £4 11s., balance in hand 1d.—The School Attendance Officer (Mr. Whitney) presented his monthly report, and the necessary orders were made.—In pursuance of a previous notice, Mr. S. Pettitt moved to alter the time of holding the meetings of the Board. On the motion of Mr. R. Marchant, seconded by Mr. J. R. Crawley, it was decided to hold the future meetings of the Board at seven p.m., on the last Thursday in each month.—The Board then adjourned.

SCHOOL BOARD MEETING—Thursday March 30th Mr. J. R. Crawley in the chair, and Messrs. Samuel Pettitt, Robert Marchant, and Wm. Brown. The Clerk submitted the resignation of Miss. E. Marchant, a temporary pupil teacher, which was to take effect on 31st ult. The schedules for the forth-coming school inspection were also laid on the table. Mr. Whitney, the school attendance officer, gave his report on school attendance during the past month which was discussed and the necessary orders made. On the motion, of Mr. Samuel Pettitt a precept was issued on the overseers for £10 to be paid on April 20th. The arrangements for the time of closing the school for Easter holidays were left in the hands of Mr. Pettitt. Several bills were presented and ordered to be paid and the Board adjourned.

SCHOOL BOARD MEETING, Thursday Evening, April 28th.—Present: Mr. J. R. Crawley (chairman), and Messrs. B. Merchant, W. Brown, and S. Pettitt. The Clerk reported that H.M. Inspector had fixed the 24th day of May for the school examination. The Treasurer reported the receipt of £10 from the overseers, this being the amount of the precept issued by the Board at the previous meeting. Mr. E. J. Whitney, the attendance officer, presented his report, which, though on the whole fair, showed several scholars to be very irregular in attendance. The officer was ordered to demand the attendance of such scholars, and to warn the parents of the consequences of a refusal to comply with the provisions of the Education Act. May Day being a general children's holiday, the Board agreed to close the school for that day, and to give a further half-day on the 12th, in response to a request of the master. A certificate, as required by the code of regulations, was granted to Miss E. E. Smith, a monitor in the school, to be presented to the Inspector on her admission as pupil teacher in the school. The quarterly accounts were presented by Mr. Pettitt and ordered to be paid. Other minor matters of no public importance were discussed, after which the Board adjourned.

SCHOOL BOARD MEETING, Thursday, May 25— Present: Mr. J. R. Crawley (chairman), and Messrs. W. Brown, R. Marchant, and S. Pettit.—The Clerk reported the examination of the school on May 24th. Mr. Whitney's (the Attendance Officer) report was submitted, which showed some scholars to be very irregular in their attendance, and the officer was ordered to see the parents and those employers who were employing children in contravention of the Elementary Education Act. The Board decided to close the school during Whit-week. Mr. Mattinson, the schoolmaster, called the attention of the Board to the books required for the New Code. Mr. J. R. Crawley was appointed to inspect the school-books and see what was really wanted, and report to the next meeting of the Board. The members of the Board then inspected the out-houses belonging to the school, with a view to effect some sanitary improvements, which were put into the hands of the Clerk and Mr. Pettitt to carry out. In reply to the application of Mr. Mattinson, the Board agreed to let the Stanwick Flower Show and Band Contest Committee have the use of the room for a nominal charge of 6d. each meeting. A notice was laid on the table from the Public Works Loan Department, informing the Board that on the 8th of June the interest on their loan and part payment of principal, amounting to £25 1s. 6d., would then be due. This was ordered to be paid in due course, as well as other minor accounts presented. No other business of importance was transacted, and the Board adjourned.

SCHOOL BOARD MEETING, Thursday evening week. Present, Mr. J. R. Crawley (chairman), and Messrs. R. Marchant, W. Brown, and S. Pettitt.— Mr. J. R. Crawley reported that he had inspected the school books to see what was needed for the requirements of the new Code, and a list of new books was made by himself and the schoolmaster. This list was subsequently laid on the table and agreed to. The Board decided to leave the disposal of the old books in the hands of the schoolmaster.—Mr. E. J. Whitney presented his report as attendance officer, which was discussed and the necessary orders made. Some improvements decided upon to be made in the closets were left in the hands of Mr. Pettitt to carry out, and to be reported upon at the next meeting of the Board.—A precept of £15 was issued on the overseers for payment on 25th July. Some minor business was transacted, and the Board adjourned.