THE HIGH SCHOOL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 140, 26 March 1935, Page 6

THE HIGH SCHOOL.

BOARD OF GOVERNORS MEET. ACTIVITIES ON THE FARM. The Ashburton High School Board of Governors met this morning when there were present Messrs J. W. Bowden (chairman), W. T. Lill, M. Bruce, F. Frampton, and W. H. Woods. The financial statement showed a credit balance of £ll3 17s Id. The headmaster (Mr E. A. Cockroit) reported as follows: "Roll Number.—This is 133 boys and 106 girls. There has been a slight reduction in last month's total. Positions have been obtained by those who left. It is pleasing to think that business men in increasing numbers now inquire at the school for their requirements. "Scholarship.—H. V. Baigent was awarded the Robert Bell Scholarship in journalism at Canterbury College. "Holidays.—l think it would be advisable to have holidays at Easter from Easter Friday to the following Friday, i.e., Good Friday and the whole of the following week. I feel that if we decided to come to school on Wednesday and Friday, the attendance would be weak, owing to the large number of country pupils, and those days would be practically wasted. "Inspectors.—Messrs E. J. Parr and Leeming visited the school on Monday and Tuesday, March 4 and 5 respectively. A report will be forwarded in due course. "Barracks.—The boys were in barracks for three days, Wednesday) to Friday, March 6, 7 and 8 respectively. A great amount of good work was done, especially in physical drill. "Sports.—During the barracks, - the girls had their athletic sports, and the attendance of parents and friends again showed the increasing interest in the doings of the pupils. Both the girls and boys have held their swimming sports. The girls visited Methven, and were successful in tennis and swimming contests against the Methven High School girls. J"Farm Report.—Mr R. M. Mcp Gregor reports as follows: —The return from the Avheat crop is at the rate of 31| bushels per acre, and we have delivered 980 bushels of wheat to the mill. One small stack of oats has been threshed, and we have sold 19 bags. "Several tons of hay and straw have been pressed, and six tons of hay have heen disposed of. We have a fairly large quantity on hand, and will be able to sell more later. *

"Ten acres of young grass are well established, and have received the full benefit of. the recent rains. Another eight acres of oats and grass will be drilled this week.

"The ewes are in good condition, and have been dipped. Three rams were sold at the ram fair, and satisfactory arrangements have* been made to replace them. "Mr J. Bonifant, of Wakanui, has kindly donated two purebred English Leicester ewes to the farm, and Messrs Cochrane and Low are giving us the use of a Shropshire and a Southdown ram respectively. We are much indebted to them for the interest shown, and for their willingness to assist/ns." The report was adopted, the chairman stating that the gross return from the wheat would be nearly £2OO.

It was decided that the school should close on. the Thursday afternoon prior to Good 'Friday until the following Monday week for the Easter holidays, and Anzac Day.

The Board agreed to send letters of appreciation to those who had donated sheep and given the use of rams in connection with the farm.

For the visiting committee, MiBruce reported that the asphalt about the school was in a bad state, but recommended that nothing should be done until after the winter. The matter was held over.

Messrs H. R. O. McElrea and Frampton were apoointed a visiting committee for the ensuing month.