SCHOOL COMMITTEES

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 180, 28 April 1931, Page 10

SCHOOL COMMITTEES

Annual Elections WORK OF THE YEAR Shortened Finances The annual elections of school committees were held in the Wellington education district last evening. Some Wellington schools reported apathy on the part of householders, but in several cases there were record attendances. In a few cases the nominations were not sufficient to provide full committees, and it was evident that witli the shortened finances many pco- ■ pie regarded service on school committees as a thankless task. In several cases the former committees volunteered for a further year’s service, and were returned en bloc. The meeting at the Terrace School appeared satisfied with the administration> by one commissioner last year, and no committee was elected. The headmaster of Brooklyn School, reporting on the trial under a commissioner, considered this system less cumbersome and he favoured the election of sole commissioners by householders. The householders expressed appreciation of the work of the commissioner, but decided to revert to a committee. , , Resolutions formulated by the . Wellington School Committees’ Association were carried at a number of meetings. These opposed reduction in educational services and advocated smaller classes, increased capitation, and cleaner schools. Details of the meetings and new committees are as follow: — Clyde Quay. In common with many other schools, Clyde Quay has had difficulties during the past year with finance. In the report of the committee submitted to the annual meeting last evening it was stated that the present capitation leaves less than £2 a month available after the caretaker’s wage is paid. Only through rent received tor the grounds was the comnlittee able to carry on. The headmaster’s report shows an average roll of 439 for the main school during 1930, and 147 in the infants’ department. This resulted in the reduction of the school by one sub-grade, and the reduction of the staff by one. Exception to the terms of an underlined portion of the Educational Institute s circular, reading: “Unwise economy means unjustly depriving the children of to-day of their only opportunity of preparation for the future,” was expressed by Mr. 1. Forsyth at the meeting. Mr. Forsyth said the inference from this statement was that the children were being unjustly deprived of educational facilities. He did not think there was any justification for the statement. New Zealand kept fairly well in step with the times, and, as the system stood to-day, a scholar could rise to the highest, educational positions both in the Dominion and abroad. . ... On Mr. Forsyth’s motion a resolution dealing with the institute’s circular was passed, to the effect that while the meeting agreed with the principles outlined in the circular, it considered the present time inopportune to urge, the Government to' make any alteration in the education system that might entail extra expendiThere were nine nominations for the committee, and an election was not necessary. The nominations were: —Messrs. W. H. Phillips (chairman), T. Forsyth, W. E. Jackson. A. W. Burnett, F. A. Bezzant, E. Whiteacre (treasurer), G. Thwaites, R. M. Russell, and AA. D. Rough (secretary). Mr. Russell was the only new member on the committee.

Mount Cook. No election was necessary at Mount Cook School. As there was the. requisite number of candidates for the nine seats, the following were declared elected:— Messrs. R. Simpson, E. F. Stevens, A. G. Blair, J. R. Burley, G. Blanchard, AV. Grant, AV. Howie, W. D. McColl, and J. ol The meeting, which' was well attended, protested against the employment of married women teachers. A motion stressing the necessity for the completion of the new infant school was carried. Thorudon.

Mr. H. Lander presided at t>he meeting of the Thorndon Associated Normal School Parents’ Association, at which twenty-one people were present. The election of officers resulted as followsPresident, Mr. A. Lake (headmaster of the school); vice-president, Mrs. O. Coldstream; executive, Messrs. E. Matter, H. Paton, R. Robb, R. McDonald, Mesdames AV. Cleveland, O. Tebbett, A. Schaab H. A’iggars, and three members of the school staff. ~ Wellington South. Mr. C. AV. J. Collier presided over a meeting of thirty-six householders at the AVellington South School. The following resolutions- were passcd “That this meetins of householders heartily supports the objects of the Weilington School Committees and Educational Federation.” “That this meeting of householders of South Wellington enters a most emphatic protest against the proposed cut in educational expenditure, and that if the reduction is necessary primary schools . should not suffer thereby.” The following committee was elected: —Mrs. M. M. Flaws. Messrs. C. F, Lippitt, C. R. Harris. G. A. Pethenck. I. AVhite, J. R. Nicholson, G. H. Perry, A. A. Parkin, E. P. Flaws. Newtown. Nominations for the committee were equal- to the number of seats, and the new committee is as follows: Mesdames H K. Garder, S. H. Irons, and I. Robinson, Messrs. H. J. Barley. AV. B. Bradley, D. Calcinai, J. F. Fyfe, H. J. Garder, and J. AV. Salmon. A resolution expressing the view that preference should be given to single teachers in future appointments, except in cases of hardship, was earned. Terrace. No election was held at. The Terrace, where the school affairs were left in the hands of the commissioner. Berhantpore. The annual report of the Beriiampore School Committee recorded progress in both the scholastic and sports fields, and comments on the excellent report given to the school by the inspectors. Thanks were extended to the Education Board and to Mr. R. McKeen, M.P., for assistance. Mr. W. Husband presided over an attendance of about 50. The following resolutions were passed : — “That this meeting of householders protests against the amount of capitation granted to school committees” “That this meeting protests against the large numbers of pupils in classes and desires to draw the attention of the Minister of Education to these facts, namely, that it is detrimental to the education of the children, that there is no excuse to be made through shortage of teachers, therefore the matter should be immediately attended to.” “That the secretary write to Mr. Perry, librarian at AVellington South, thanking him for his interest in the selection of books for the library of this and other schools.” “That the meeting wishes to express to Mr. Bennet and Mr. Bary, late headmasters of this school, its best wishes and hopes they will be long spared to enjoy their well-earned retirement. Votes of thanks were passed to the headmaster and staff. There were eleven nominations for seats on the committee. The election resulted as follows: Messrs. W. Husband (chairman), C. S. AVilson (secretary), W. J. Chatfield. M. F. Gladtng, .1. \A. Makin. A. V. Rowe, G. E. elected), A. I’. Collyer and A. E. J. Gcll (new members).

At the conclusion of the meeting a home and school association was formed, and officers were elected as follow: Mr. Cassie (president), Mr. Brooker (secretary) ; committee, Mrs. Davis, Messrs. It. Diack. AV. J. Lowe, AV. Chatfield, A. E. J. Gell. Kosencatli. Ten nominations for seven seats were received at Roseneath, and the following committee was elected :—Messrs. C. Pinnock (chairman), AV. A. Nicholson. C. G. Husband, L. McGregor (all re-elected), A. E. Mills (secretary), R. A. Black, G. S. Clark (new members). Brooklyn. Having carried on with a commissioner for the past year, Brooklyn householders decided to revert to a committee, and the following were elected: —Messrs. W. M. ISadd (chairman), G. AV. Phillips (secretary), It. Arrow-Smith, 11. G. Shardlow, L. J. McDonald, AV. T. Janes. A. Anderson. J. Glover, and E. G. McGill. Resolutions upon the need for smaller classes and relieving teachers were carried. Lyall Bay. No poll was necessary at Lyall Bay, where the following committee was elected: —Messrs. H. M. Harris (chairman), F. J. Evans (secretary). F. AV. Boyd, H. G. Bruce, L. Bryant. H. S. Crawford; A. Phillips, E. B. Topp. and C. Wharton. Island Bay. Nine nominations for the nine vacancies were received at the Island Bay meeting. The following committee was elected :—-Messrs. C. B. McDougall (chairman), P. H. Mason, E. J. Smith, G. E. Wilkinson, H. J. Wallace, F. L. J. Beu, J. M. Neal, C. D. Lennie, S. J. Ambrose. All but the last three members were reelected. Wadestown. There were 14 nominations for nine seats on the Wadestown School Committee. The following were elected: — Messrs. A. Parlane (chairman), F. AV. Ongley (secretary), A. B. Hanna, J. AV. Scott, J. Dunn, A. R. Stone, J. Craig, Mrs. H. Smith, and Mrs. McKeowan. Of these the last five are new members. There were about 50 householders present. Miramar Central. Eleven nominations were received at Miramar Central, and the following were elected:—Messrs. C. W. McConchie (chairman), J. H. Newman (secretary), F. Marshall, J. D. Gardiner, R. W. Millar, F. Mason, AV. Meachem, A. Nourish, and E. S. Andrews. Miramar South. The nine seats for the Miramar South committee were just filled by the nominations. The committee is as follows: — Messrs. P. F. Gaines (chairman), J. S. Boxall (secretary), J. Reid (treasurer), H. Tomlinson, G. Minnifie, F. Stewart, Anderson (old members), Taylor and Ashbridge (new members). Officers for the Home and School Association were also elected, i Seatoun. Eight nominations were received for the nine seats at- Seatoun, where the following committee was elected: —Rev. A. A. Armstrong. Messrs. R. V. Hughes, I. N. Hull. F. Tait, A. G. Wiltshire. J. Forbes, B. O. Ingram, and Mrs. L. C. Nicol. Resolutions regarding the employment of married teachers and the capitation allowance were carried. Worser Bay. Owing to lack of funds, the members of the old committee for the Worser Bay School intimated that they did not desire to stand, and it was largely due to the efforts of the chairman of the meeting, Mr. G. Harrison, that they were persuaded to do so. Had it not been for the efforts of the Home and School Association, it was stated, the' committee would have had no funds whatever with which to carry on. There were seven nominations for the seven vacancies, and the following were re-elected: —Messrs. A. G. Lindsay (chairman), G. E. Robson (treasurer), W. Bishop. T. H. Ashbridge, A. C. Ballimore, J. Klaws, Mrs. D. Stewart. Karori. There were nine nominations for the nine seats on the Karori School Committee. The following were elected: — Messrs. H. L. P. Dyett, chairman; F. C. Burgess. H. Le Gay Holthouse, C. L. Mayo, D. L. Palmer. E. C. Sclater, AV. Kemble Welch, L. N. Williams, and C. B. Shore. Of these Messrs. Welch and Burgess are new members. Mr. M. Gray Naismith was appointed secretary. There were about 50 people present. Reference was made to the retirement of Mr. J. B. Grant, headmaster, and the transfer of Miss I. B. Little, who is to take up a position at Ashburton. Hataitai. Only seven nominations were received for the nine seats on the Hataitai School Committee, all being members of the retiring body. There were 41 householders present. The committee is as follows: — Messrs. H. I. Searle (chairman), L. J. Brabin (treasurer), H. E. Combs (secretary), F. M. Clark, A. E. Cook, J. H. Mills, and T. L. AVilson. Johnsonville. There were 13 nominations for nine seats on the Johnsonville School committee. The following were elected: — Messrs. F. H. D. Peryman, chairman; F. G. Molesworth, secretary; _W. F. Ingoldsby, H. Johnson, T. McCristell, J. C. Moore. H. L. Robinson, A. Shearer and F. R. Watkins. Mr. Ingoldsby was the only new member. There was an attendance of 65 at the meeting, and a resolution to form a parents’ association was enthusiastically carried. Northland. There were 12 nominations for nine seats on the Northland School Committee. The following were elected: Messrs. E D. Good, chairman; D. G. Cody, secretary ; L. H. Steel, A. Clark, W. Platt, R. M. Ross, F. R. Barber, J. C. Adams, and J. H. Hampton. Of these the last three were new members. The meeting was well attended. Ridgeway. Tjie committee elected at Ridgeway was as follows: —Messrs. J. M. Russell (chairman) Mrs. E. M. Nind, R. Bennett. P. Sadler. P. K. Kindell. G. H. Weir (secretary), and F. Wiseman. Kliandallah. A committee of nipe was elected from 12 nominations for the Khandallah School. The meeting was well attended, and the election resulted as follows: —Messrs. R. B. Gibbens (chairman), T.M. Gault (secretary), M. S. Galloway, G. B. MacMorran. O. A. Ohlsspn. W- T. Pocknall, W. Pyne ,re-elected), G. N. Pottmger, Vi G. Chapman (new members). Kaiwarra. Ten nominations for seven vacancies were received at the Kaiwarra meeting, which was one of the best-attended ever held at the school. . The following committee was electea. Messrs. Sherbrooke (chairman), McHarhine, Tietjens, Haynes, Perfect (all reelected), Hunter and Davis. Petone West. In December last, stated Mr. J. LBurns, headmaster of 1 etone AA e s School, iu his report presented at th meeting of householders last night, the roll number reached 602, and the a attendance for the term was sa< ; Jhese were the highest in the liistorj oi the school. The attendance thioughont the year was particularly good. Ihe increase in numbers, some o th classrooms became overcroudea™ children not living in th e Petone AA eM district had to, remove to ‘« fhe districts in winch they . There were 12 nominations tor the nine S eMs e on"the e committee if v.ore elected:—Messrs. A. G. steuensen, chairman - F. T. Mehaney, secretary, I . presided over by Mr. J. Kerr, who has been com missioner of the school since the last committee resigned.

Petone Central. Resolutions endorsing the suggestions contained in the Educational Institute s circular were passed at the Petone Central meeting. t j. The following committee was elected. Afessrs S. L. Anderson. J. A. Ash, H. Hepburn, J. C. Loam N Mills O Stlberv L. C. AV ray, J- Richards, F. Hewson ’ There were only nine nominations. A resolution was passed protesting against the requirement made ol th-' committee to pay £3O a year for one nurse at the dental clinic.

A resolution was passed protesting against the basis for the distribution of capitation to primary schools m comparison with secondary schools. Boulcott School, Lower Hutt. There were nine nominations for seven seats on the Boulcott School Committee. The following were elected :—Messrs. E. Horne, H. Saunders, C. Downs, H. McIver, AV. Morgan, R. Peel, and A. Day. The last four of the above were new members. More than 40 people were present at the meeting, and the chairman was Mr. A. J. Gearing, late chairman of the committee, who did not seek re-election this year. Wainui-o-mata. There were six nominations to fill five scats on the AA 7 ainui-o-mata School Committee. The following were elected: —Mr. J. AV. Burdan (chairman), Mr. AV. AA’hite (secretary), Mrs. Helen AA’hite, Mrs. Elizabeth AVood, and Mr. C. O. Burdan., The last three were new members. Waiwetu. The report of the Waiwetu School committee stated that a permanent staff is at last assured. Since the opening of the school no fewer than ,58 teachers have been employed, and satisfaction is expressed that this handicap has ended. There were nine nominations last evening to fill the nine vacancies on the AVaiwetu School Committee. The following were elected: —Mr. B. T. Pegler (chairman), Mrs. F. E. Joyce (secretary), Messrs. AVhiteinan, Staples, Smith, Jones, Carter, .AVelch, and Magrath. Of these, Mr. Magrath is the only new member. There were about 30 people present last evening, and they decided to hold a meeting on May 7 to form a home and school association. Trentham. The following nine members from ten nominations were elected to the Trentham School Committee: —Messrs. AV. H. Turner (chairman), AV.,J. P. Howe (secretary), J. W. S. Hardie, L. F. Grimstone, A. R. Jones, H. Howard, J. A. Natta, G. J. W. Wale (all re-elected), C. Cook (new member). Tawa Flat. Nine nominations were received for the five seats on the Tawa Flat committee, and over 70 householders attended the meeting, a record for the school. The election results as follows: —Messrs. P. T. Mexted (chairman), G. Purkington (secretary), F. H. Grier (re-elected), F. H. AVood and Mrs. J. Hook (new members). Hutt Central. In his third annual report submitteed to the Hutt Central School householders’ meeting last night, the headmaster, Mr. H. Miller, stated the grounds were in area would permit. Neither the playing area nor the shelter accommodation was anything like adequate. Two small shelter sheds were supposed to accommodate nearly 600 children. The time was fast approaching when the needs of the district would have to be seriously considered and an entirely new site for the school selected. As only three nominations were received for the committee no election was held last night. The commissioners, Messrs. Edwards and Stonehouse, will have. to carry on to May 25, when another election for the school will be held. As the roll of the school exceeds 150 nominations cannot be received at the meeting, and had to be in the hands of the secretary seven days before the election. . Eastern Hutt. The following vrere elected the committee at the Eastern Hutt School householders’ meeting:—Messrs. Piper, Clarke, Burgess, Stoup, Dudding, Wesley, Tait. As this is Mr. A. Mcßain’s last year of teaching, he gave a review of his term as headmaster. Mr. W. Dyer, last year’s chairman of the school committee, did not offer himself for re-election. Wilford School, Petone. Some 130 householders attended the meeting at the Wilford School, The committee election resulted as follows:— Messrs. V. A.-Noble (chairman), W. H. Edwards (secretary), G. Fairbum (treasurer), T. Caldwell, G. Green, W. Taplin R. Patterson. Upper Hutt. Reporting on the operations of the school for the past year the Upper Hutt School Committee said that the attendance at the school had been fairly well maintained. It was pointed out that it was only through the splendid financial assistance rendered by the Upper Hutt Home and School Association that the committee had been enabled to carry out most of the works done in and around the school during the year. . The general account showed that £147 6/9 was received and payments amounting to £153/4/10 were made, showing a debit balance of £5/18/1. The special account showed receipts amounting to x-oo 13/4, with outgoings of £202/10/9, leaving a credit balance of £3/2/7. Ihe capitation received from the board totalled £124, and cleaning and sanitary services took up £97/4/10. leaving only £26/15/2 for all other services.