Southbridge

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume LIX, Issue 88, 4 November 1938, Page 5

Southbridge

DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL.

COMMITTEE

The monthly meeting of the Southbridge District High School committee was held on Tuesday evening, at which" there were present Messrs Adam McPherson

(chairman), W. R. Green (secretary), A. Love, F. L. Bailey, R. W. ipfeayne, and R. B. Willis.

The chairman reported that arrangements had been made with the railway department and the Christchurch tramway authorities for the transport of excursionists to Scarbrough (Sumner) on the occasion of the district schools excursion. The return fares, including trams, were 3/6 for adults, 2/3 for senior scholars and" 1/8 for children. Hot water and milk would be supplied free.

"The report is a'credit to the school and to the teachers for what they have done, especially in view of the handicap of sickness during the year," remarked the chairman, after the report from the inspectors had been considered. A vote of apprecia tion to the staff in both primary and s secondary departments on its good work was passed. Special mention was made of the success in athletic sports of the pupils of the secondary department, also of the school's cricket team.

The headmaster in his report; stated that sickness still continued to take a heavy toll of tfie pupils, the average number of absentees for the past fortnight being 31 daily. Mr Kollie, a departmental inspector of school buildings paid a visit to the school and expressed his high appreciation of the care given to the buildings by all, including the pupils. He noted necessary repairs and the urgent necessity of having the buildings painted. The, inspector was very impressed with the lay out of '^^the grounds and complimented the *^- Public Works Department's men on ■ the splendid job they were making of the playing area.

Now that the fooard's painting staff was in the district—the school and house at Sedgemere were being > painted—it was again decided to remind the board that the buildings at Southbridge urgently required similar attention. A prospectus of the courses to be obtained at the high school next year is to be published before the end of the year-i and the teaching staff is to be asked to prepare the material for it. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to Air H. E. Herring for the work which he had done for the school while member of Parliament, several members of the committee speaking appreciatively of Mr Herring's services to the school and the interest he had taken in its affairs. The chairman reported that sufficient funds were in hand for the purchase and installation of the wifeless and loud-speaker set. WOMEN'S INSTITUTE Mrs R. F. Pilkington presided over a good attendance at the monthly meeting of the Southbridge Women's Institute. The roll call, "My best joke," called forth many amusing answers. r^~K The question of a locality for the annual picnic resulted in the unanimous decision of members for an excursion to Christchurch and a visit to Aulsebrook's factory, providing permission could be obtained from the manager. A sales table under the charge of Mrs Carr and Miss Stace realised a satisfactory sum. It was agreed to enter a bay at the Leeston flower show. Mrs J. Dugan read an interesting report on her visit to the federation meeting and was accorded ./j a vote of thanks'. Mrs G. Rodgers "^' gave an instructive demonstration on the "Moderne" method of dress cutting which was much appreciated by the members. Competitions, judged by Misses I. ?v Lewton and D. Willis, were won as follows: —Best bloom, Mrs J. Ballagh 1, Mrs J. I. Carr 2, Mrs W. G. Hill 3. Shortbread, Mrs W. G. Hill 1, Mrs G. Goulden 2 and 3.' Supper cloth, Misses Galpin 1 and 2, Miss £ D. Hill 3. Mrs Pilkington made a presentation to Mrs Mcilraith, whose marriage took place recently. 1' Mrs Mcilraith ]

suitably thanked the members for

their kind gift and good wishes

Afternoon tea was served by Mesdames R. G. Bishop, H. L. Montgomery, L. R. Ebert, F. Hannaford, and Miss R. Stace.

DEATH OF MR J, CURRAN

The death occurred suddenly yesterday, his seventy-fifth birthday, of Mr John Thomas Curran, a wellknown resident of Southbridge £or many years. He was at the home of his sister, Mrs J. Kilbride, and expired almost immediately after sitting down on a tree stump in the grounds. His health had been failing for some considerable time. Mr Curran was the eldest son of the late Mr and Mrs Michael Curran, of Halswell, and lived in that district a long time before settling at Southbridge. He was a single man and was well respected by all who knew him. A brother, Mr A. Curran, was formerly a resident of Leeston. Requiem Mass will be celebrated at St. Joseph's Church to-morrow morning, after which the interment will take place at the Catholic Cemetery, Leeston. DIGGERS' MARKET There was a good attendance at the Diggers' Market on Thursday evening and those present entered thoroughly nto the fun of the fair and spent freely. The promoters hope as a result to secure a substantial sum with which to assist sick and distressed ex-servicemen. Competition winners were: Bottle of wine, Mr W. Hampton; cord of manuka firewood, Mrs Mclntyre; sheep weight-judging, Messrs Fisher and Donaldson equal; two sacks of coal given by Messrs McClatchie and Co., Mrs W. Anderson; beads, Mrs G. B. Couch; Christmas cake, Mrs J. jH. McMillan; cushion, Mr D. S. Moorhead; canary, Dr. E. W. Hunt; 51b. box of tea, Mr R. Rbwney. The Women's Auxiliary is very grateful to all who contributed goods or assisted in any way to make the market so successful. PERSONAL. Miss D. Carr has left on a holiday visit to Culverden. The friends of Mr David MeJarrow, who has been in Christchurch Hospital for many weeks, will be pleased to learn that he is now making a good recovery.