OAMARU ITEMS

Evening Star, Issue 22630, 23 April 1937, Page 12

OAMARU ITEMS

WAITAKI HIGH SCHOOLS' BOARD The monthly meeting of the Waitaki High Schools’ Board of Governors was presided over by Major H. S. Orbell. Advice was received from the Minister - of Education that Cabinet had approved of a grant for the provision of four additional class rooms at the Boys’ High School, also a supplementary grant for extension of the hostel at the Girls’ High School. The tenders of Messrs G. W. Davies and Co. (£lB3 10s) for the extension of the hot water system at the Girls’ School, and also that of Messrs Maynard and Armstrong (£2B 10s) for the extension of the boiler room were ac cepted. The following appointments were made:—Girls’ Senior School; Senior grade position, Miss I. M. Pollardrelieving position, Miss D. Hall. Girls’ Junior School: Grade 11. position, Miss P. B. Melville.

The consent of the board was given to the transfer of the lease from W. H. Harbour to M. M'Gregor. The rector (Mr F. Milner) reported that the school roll for the Boys’ School for this term was 452—312 in the senior school and 140 in the junior. The boarders numbered 133. . Forty per cent, of the boys who left last year took up farming and 20 per cent, commerce and trades. The land continued to attract a far larger proportion of pupils than any other vocation. This, year the agricultural side comprised three special forms in the senior school and a large enrolment in the junior school. For the first time all boys in the firstyear form were required to take biology. The bus transport for southern pupils, allowing them to be present at morning assembly, gave boys sufficient time before their return to take part in school games and functions, thus proving _an educational boon. The reorganisation of the scientific laboratories by Mr M. F. Woodward (senior) and Air Robins (junior) had now been completed, with excellent results. The rector then listed notable events of the term, including the visit of the southern farmers’ touring party on April 5, the broadcast recital on, April 7, and the Scott memorial function on April 12. The library was being reclassified and recatalogued under the Dewey system. Its enhanced equipment and amenities had constituted it the intellectual focus of the school. The reference department was thoroughly utilised for debates and essays. The junior school library had also been reorganised and re-equipped.—The report was received. NORTH OTAGO WOMEN’S CLUB The Literary and Dramatic Circle of the North Otago Women’s Club held a well-attended meeting at its fortnightly reading, when oxeerpts were read from three interesting travel books. Aliss Fitzgerald read from ‘ Green Hell,’ by Julian Duguid, an expedition into the jungle of South America; Aliss Al'Adam from ‘ News from Tartary,’ by Peter .Fleming, an account of a journey overland from Peking to India ; and Miss Forrest from ‘ Cobblers,’ by Thomas Wood, an English doctor’s travels in Australia. AWAMOA-ALMA WOMEN'S INSTITUTE The monthly meeting of the Awamoa-Alma Women’s Institute attracted a large attendance of_ members and friends. Aliss Ross presided, and welcomed four new members. The motto for the month was ‘ Learn to disagree without being disagreeable.” Mrs Morris was presented with a gift as a token of appreciation of her work as secretax-y. Members received useful hints from the roll call, “ The uses of kerosene.” The hostesses were Alesdames Dalziel and Smith. A feature of the meeting was the address by Airs A. Barsdell on home nursing and first aid. The speaker dealt very fully with her subject and imparted many useful hints. She was heartily thanked for her talk. RUGBY FOOTBALL The senior competition will he commenced to-morrow afternoon, and the Tame at the Oval will be between Old Boys and Excelsior, _ commencing at 2.45 p.ra. As a curtain-raiser Waitaki will meet Old Boys at 1.16 p.m., so that patrons should witness two very close and interesting matches. Matches in the lower grades will also he played. At ATaheno the country team from that district will try conclusions with Athletic, and this match should warrant the attendance of a large number of supporters and enthusiasts of both teams. The Alaheno and Athletic juniors will play at 1.15 p.pi. Both matches will be played on the Alaheno Domain.