SOUTH OTAGO NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 22773, 7 October 1937, Page 13

SOUTH OTAGO NOTES

[From Ook Balclutha Correspondent.^ ST. JOHN AMBULANCE. ' Members of the Balclutha Division of the St. John Ambulance Association were examined on the practical side of their work by Dr Dodds, of Kaitangata, on Tuesday night, the written examination having . been conducted earlier by Dr D. M. Frengley, lecturer to the' division. Thirteen candidates presented themselves, and all were successful. They were; First year—Mesdames Evand and Ogilvy, Miss ■ A Spence, Messrs A. W, Ogilvy, J. A. Gawn (Romahapa), P. J. Hunter, D. Kirby, R. Whittaker (Balclutha). Second year: Mr L. Kirby (Balclutha). Third year; Messrs E. V. Hughes, L. Geddes, W. Mason, and T. Tsukigawa (Balclutha). After the examination members met for supper, when the president (Mr D. M. Henderson) expressed thanks to the examiners and congratulated the candidates on their success. Mr Hughes, divisional superintendent, also extended congratulations, and thanked the Romahapa members for the interest shown by travelling to Balclutha each week to take a part. Mr Hunter thanked the doctors and senior officers for the interest taken in firstyear members. Next week Mr Hunter (main highways traffic inspector) will deliver an address on ‘ Road Safety.’ GENERAL. Motor registrations at the Balclutha Post Office to the end of September totalled 1,122, compared with 1,021 for the corresponding period last year, an increase of 101. During the last three months 47 new cars were registeredevidence of increased spending power in the district. BALCLUTHA SCHOOL COMMITTEE. In the absence of the chairman (Mr H. Holgate) Mr R. Culberb presided at the monthly meeting of the Balclutha School Committee on Wednesday night, when there were also present Messrs A. Campbell, C. Lewis, D. Miller, J. Gormack, D. M'Faul, A. Maxwell, the secretary (Mr A. Riach), and head master (Mr A. Hall). Apologies were received from the chairman and Mr E. Ring. ’ ■ . . ' Mr G. H. Mitchell wrote resigning his position as first assistant as from October 31, he having to take up_ his position as head master at Pukeuri on November 1. In doing so, he expressed appreciation of the courtesy extended to him at all times by the committee, and said ho would watch the progress of his old school with interest. —In moving that the resignation be accepted with regret, the Chairman said it was unfortunate for the school that Mr Mitchell was leaving. During his eight and a-half years as first assistant he had taken more than a passing interest in the school, both inside and outside. During his first years on the staff there had been many changes in the headmastership, and Mr Mitchell had had the extra responsibility of acting as head master. In fact, about 15 months of his term had been in that capacity, and he had come through with credit. He moved that the secretary write Mr Mitchell expressing appreciation of his services, and wishing him, Mrs Mitchell, and family, all successin the future.— Mr Gormack, in seconding, endorsed the chairman’s remarks, and the motion was carried unanimously. The Head Master reported that the staff was quite prepared to organise a school concert towards the end of November, after which Mr Campbell moved in accordance with notice given that the prize distribution and concert be abandoned this year. In doing, so lie cited a case of a brother and sister in a family. The boy won a prize every year and did no work, while the girl, who worked hard at her lessons, received no prizes. The position was different in small country 1 schools, where every child received apprize. In bigger schools prizes were given 42 tb.osg a 4

the top of the class, which was perhaps a good thing up to a point. He also knew that the smarter child got more tuition than the duller one, and it was disappointing to the toilers not to get a prize. As far as the concert was concerned, he was of opinion that with the amalgamation of schools that was now coming about this would be almost impossible, and they should make a start now and cut it out. They knew that teachers’ nerves were frayed at the end of the year, and that they worked harder than most people imagined. Mr Gornmck seconded pro forma. Mr Lewis said that concerts helped the school funds. The Government grant was not sufficient to carry on all school needs, and the concert was the best way of raising funds. Mr Maxwell agreed with the mover that the hard-working child did not get prizes always. The Chairman said that, while he favoured the abolition of prizes, he thought the parents should be consulted, and he suggested that a questionnaire be sent to them through the pupils. As for the concert, he was of opinion that this should be continued and the funds devoted to an excursion or treat for the children, all of whom would benefit. Later Mr M'Faul moved that a concert be held and the money raised be devoted to a school library, and that no prize distribution take place.—Mr Maxwell seconded, Mr Miller moved as an amendment that the parents be asked whether they were in favour of prizes or not.—Mr Gorraack seconded.. The Chairman said he could not take the amendment unless something was embraced to show what was to be substituted for the prizes. Mr Miller said he did not feel inclined to add anything about the funds being devoted to the library, and the motion on being put was carried by four votes to three, Messrs Gormack, Miller, and Lewis asking that their names he recorded, against it. The head master’s report showed that the roll number was 397, while for the past four weeks the average roll had been 401. Twenty entries had been received for the crop-growing competitions of the hoys and girls’ agricultural clubs. This year carrots and potatoes were to be the crops grown. Reference was made to the part played by pupils in the recent sports meeting, especially the performances of L. Algie and R. Murray.—The report was adopted, satisfaction being expressed at the roll number, which, if kept at its present state, would probably mean that the school would he raised in grade.