AKAROA HIGH SCHOOL

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22354, 18 March 1938, Page 6

AKAROA HIGH SCHOOL

OVERCROWDING OF BUS ALLEGED

MEETING OF COMMITTEE

A complaint was received by the Akaroa District High School Committee from a resident of Takamatua about the overcrowding of the school bus conveying bays children to the Akaroa School. The parent complained that as this bus had 37 children in it there was overcrowding, and that children’s fingers were crushed by being caught in the bus doors when they were closed. The position was a danger to the children.

The committee decided to forward this letter to the Education Board with a covering letter.

It was reported that the Railway Department was providing a larger bus in the near future.

Those present at the meeting were; Messrs F. G. Armstrong (chairman), A M. Helps, W. A. Newton, and "W. Jacobson.

The committee decided to contribute £5 a year to the travelling library scheme. The headmaster (Mr J. E. Maxwell) reported that the school had already joined up. Headmaster’s Report The headmaster reported that the primary school roll was 92 and the secondary roll 45. The average attendance for the last four-weekly period at the primary school was 93.5. Successful swimming sports had been held, and 43 pupils had qualified for certificates for distances varying from 50 yards to 880 yards. Messrs F. Davis and L. J. Vangioni had given a trophy to be known as the Lincoln Armstrong trophy for competition among primary school competitors. It was decided that a letter of thanks should be sent to Messrs Davis and Vangioni, and to Mr W. Miles for acting as life-saving and swimming instructor. Inspection of Buildings The headmaster reported that all school buildings had been inspected by the Education Department’s inspector, Mr Knowles, and by Messrs Bigg and Boyle. New equipment had been applied for for the dressmaking and cookery departments at the manual training centre, and certain alterations to the building were recommended. Mr A. M, Helps presented the annual balance-sheet showing a credit balance of £49 4s. It was aoproved by the committee.

Mr Helps reported that the secondary school ground at the back of the school had been properly terraced in preparation for sowing down. It was resolved that the borough gardener should be consulted about the future upkeep of the grounds round the secondary school. The matter of disposing of the present primary school building and erecting new class-rooms adjacent to the secondary school grounds was discussed at some length. The headmaster said that it would be a distinct advantage if the school buildings were in close proximity. This was held over until the next meeting. It was decided also that the part the school would take in the centennial celebration; should also be discussed at this meeting.

Arrangements were made for the transport of the pupils to attend the annual Peninsula school sports, to be held at Little River next week.

FALSE PRETENCES

MAGISTRATE’S COURT AT RANGIORA

PUBLIC WORKS EMPLOYEE CHARGED

Cecil Valentine Harding was charged at the Rangiora Magistrate’s Court before Mr E. C. Levvey, S.M., with obtaining £27 8s 10d in money from the New Zealand Government by falsely representing that he had received an injury to his right hand while in the employ of the Public Works Department at Rangiora on

June 6, 1£37. Detective D. McKenzie said Harding claimed that he had fallen from a plank while wheeling a barrow and fractured a bone in his right hand. Compensition for the amount named was claimed by the defendant and paid out by the department. Later Harding admitted that he had oeen drinking on the previous day and had fallen from his cycle, sustaining the injury. Mr E. D. R. Smith said Harding had slipped on the planks which were covered with frost, and fallen about five feet to the ground. He had made restitution of the full amount of the compensation. As a result of the fall Harding had been off work for about eight weeks. The Magistrate: For a case of deliberate fraud Courts are anything but lenient, but in this case the man appears to have done all he can. He has refunded the money and appears to be a gf od worker. In these particular circumstances I am prepared to take a lenient view. Harding was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence if called upon within 12 months. An application for suppression of name was not granted. MILK VENDOR FINED

John Stanley King, Waikuku Beach, charged with selling milk deficient in milk fat, was fined £lO and ordered to pay costs. CIVIL CASES Judgment for plaintiffs by default was given in the following undefended civil cases:—George Maddams, trading as “Millers,” v. G. Kelly, 16s 9d; H. Rollinson v. T. McGowan, £l7 6s lOd with costs; Hawkins, Ltd., v. R. R. Croft, £2 19s 3d, with costs.

GIFT AFTERNOON AT RANGIORA

A gift afternoon for the Solomon Islands mission \Vas held at Rangiora recently by the Methodist Women’s Missionary Auxiliary. An address on missionary work was given by Mrs Ryan. Afternoon tea was served.

STACK COMPETITION AT RANGIORA

Six entries for the stack competition. to be conducted by the Northern Agricultural and Pastoral Association, have been received by the secretary •Mr W. C. Potter). Judging will take place towards the end of the month.