Mr W. G. Brtttan, jun.* had the chief control of the arrange ments, and deserves special commendation for the excellent manner in which he carried out his solf-impo3ed task. St. Albans. — The school committee met on Thursday evening, Mr C. W. Turner in the chair. Mr*E. Mitchell, formerly a school master under the Victorian Board of Educa tion, but more recently in charge of the Heathcote Valley school, was appointed to the vacant mastership of the school, subject to the approval of the Board of Education, but the appointments of mistress and two pupil teachers were deferred. The committee also decided to invite offers of land for a school site, to comprise not less than one acre in extent, but if possible two. The school is at present closed, but as Mr Mitchell is likely to be released from his 'present position in the Heathcote Valley school, it will no doubt be opened at an early date. Half-Holiday. — Yesterday the half-holi day was again partially observed. The drapers, clothiers, stationers, and principal grocers were closed, but other business premises were open. It is to be feared the number of adherents to the movement given above will, however, be decreased if one bootmaker cannot be prevailed on to close. As we under stand it, there is only one of this trade who persists hi refusing to adhere to the original agreement, -and when it is considered that some of the clothiers combine the business of bootmaking, whilst some of the drapers are also clothiers, it is not difficult to see what the effect will be. If the bootmakers keep open, the clothiers and bootmakers will be compelled to do the same in self-defence, and the drapers and clothiers must follow suit, whereupon those who are drapers only must likewise f keep open. It is to be hoped the solitary bootmaker referred to will, be made to see the error of his ways, and not persist in a course which will rob so many persons of a holiday. The drapers played their cricket match yesterday, and a genuine afternoon's amusement accrued from it. Acclimatisation. — The difficulties attend ing the safe removal of live trout have re cently been most unpleasantly exemplified. 