LATE ASHBURTON ITEMS.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18367, 28 April 1925, Page 14

LATE ASHBURTON ITEMS.

Borough Council. The final meeting of the Ashburton Borough Council was held last evening, (he Mayor, Mr R. Galbraith, presiding. There -were present: Councillors F. Z. D. Ferriman, W. H. Woods, R. M. Dunlop, J. "W. Bowden, John Watson, W. G. Hillier, U. A. Collins, C. F. HOrrill, R. Kerr, H. R. C. McElrea. Leave of absence was granted Cr. D. F. Keir. Receipts since the last meeting amounted to £ISS 6s 3d. There was also a credit balance on the cemetery account of £49 2s (id.

The inspector's reports stated . that eleven motor drivers' licenses had been issued since last meeting. The Mayor stated that as that was the last meeting before the election he desired to say a few words in appreciation of the co-operation of the councillors during his term of office as Mayor. Ho reviewed the progressive works that had been carried out in Ashburton during the last ten years.

Personal. Mr "William McPherson, who for the past three years has been sole teacher at the Glenroy school, has been appointed to the position of assistant-master at the Allenton school, to succeed Mr R. J. Ford, who leaves this week for Ealing. The resignation of Mr E. Partridge, headmaster of the Allenton school, was accepted with regret at last night's meeting of householders at Allenton. Mr Partridge, who joined the school on June sth, 1922, has been appointed headmaster of the Hokitika -High School, and leaves to take up his new position early in June. Complimentary references were made to the splendid work of Mr Partridge at the school and for the district, especially in connexion with sport.

The position of headmaster of the Tinwald school, rendered vacant by the resignation of Mr A. F. McMurtrie, has been filled by Mr John' Mclntyre, who has been first assistant-master at the Waltham school. Three' years ago Mr Mclntyre was first assistant at the Ashburton Borough School, and will take up his new position about June.

East Ashburton School. There was an attendance of about sixty at the annual ■ meeting of residents in connexion with the election of the East Ashburton School Committee, held.in the school-last evening.,.. The chairman of the outgoing committee, Mr W. S. Kerr, "presided. The annual report, which was adoptod, stated that the school attendance had shown a marked increase during the last twelve months. In view of the overcrowded class-rooms the committee was very grateful that the Department had at last consented to erect two new rooms at a. cost of £ISOO. They thanked the staff and all those who,had in < any .way assisted in the school's welfare. ' The balance-sheet showed a credit -balance of £l7 16s lid to the end of last February. Votes of thanks were passed to the headmaster (Mr W,. W. Garton). and hi* staff, the chairman and outgoing committee, and the lion. W. Nosworthy for his assistance in enabling the school to secure the two new classrooms. The election of the committee reW. S. Kerr, I. A, Baigent, E. H. Childs, F. H.' Knight, H. Money, W. H. Eobinson, W. Thompson, W. Tullock, and G. W. Andrews. At a subsequent meeting of the,committee, Mr. W. S. Kerr was re-elected chairman and Mr A. C. Hardy secretary. The chairman and secretary were appointed to operate on the committee's 'banking account. Messrs Knight and Childs were appointed a visiting committee for the coming month, and the fourth Monday of each month was set down as the meeting night. It was decided to reply to the Canterbury School Committees' Association stating that as there-was a School Committees' Association in Ashburton the committee could not join. it. .

Borough School. At the Borough School there were only three householders at the annual meeting, which was presided over by Mr John Watson, chairman of the old committee. The annual report, which was adopted, stated that tho work of the school had been a success in all its activities. At the end of last year the roll,number was 487, and the inspector's report testified to the conscientious manner in' which the various teachers were carrying out their respective duties.

The secretary stated that the' Education Board had notified him that the present infant school would be renovated at an early date, and that a new room, the nucleus of a new infant school, would be built shortly on another portion of the grounds on the s west side. At the conclusion of the meeting the new committee met. There were present: Messrs John Watson, W. R Woods, Br. Marsden, J. McElhinney, A. Bushell, E. Koker, L.J. Watt, and J. S. Wilson: Leave of absence was granted.to Mr W, Page.. Mr John Watson was appointed chairman of the Committee.

It was decided to send a letter of appreciation to the Galateers Company for the concert recently given in aid of the school funds.'

Messrs • MeElhirmey ,and Pago were appointed a Visiting .Committee.

Allenton School. There was a very large attendance at the householders' meeting held in the Allenton school last evening. Mr E. Houston, chairman of the School Committee, occupied the chair. The report staled that the standard of education had been well maintained at the Allenton school, while the pupils had performed well in the field of sport. A great number of improvements had been carried out at tlic school during the year, and the credit balance was £72 18s Sd.

The report was adopted. The matter of grading was mentioned by the chairman, who said he did not think it wise to raise the grade of a school too rapidly, because there was always the chance of a lull. Allenton was a growing district, and he felt confident that that evening would be the last occasion on which the verbal election of the committee would take place.

The election of the committee resulted'as follows: —Messrs. 11. Houston, E. C. Bathurst, C. Armstrong, A. Drayton, H. McConnell, 11. L. Barker, J. Osborne, W. P. Walker, and W. Sparrow. At.the conclusion of the meeting a motion of appreciation to the staff was carried. Tinwald School The householders' meeting at Tinwald was attended by about thirty. Mr J. Lowery, chairman of the committee, presided. . The' annual report, which was adopted, l stated that members of the Education Board had complimented the committee upon the excellent state of the grounds, buildings, and improvements. The school closed last year with a roll number of 231, and the average attendance was 208.

The balance-sheet showed a credit balance of £53 10s lOd. .The following committee was elected: —Messrs A. Henderson, E. Frew, G. Clarke, J. Lowery, A. Wakelin, W. Gilmour, A: Breakwcll, B. Willis, and A. ColviUe. At a subsequent meeting of the com-

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