GREY SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Greymouth Evening Star, 5 July 1919, Page 3

GREY SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

The ordinary meeting of the above was held last evening. Present: Messrs W, Parfitt (chairman), J. Tennent, L. Aldridge, J. .Weaver, C. Grams, R. J. Williams, and W. Blair. The Chairman apologised for the absence of Mr, P. MacKensie. TECHNICAL SCHOOL SITE. A letter from the Greymouth Borough Council was read, advising that they had appointed a deputation, consisting of his Worship the Mayor, Crs. Weaver, Naylor, and Cottle, to act in conjuncton with three representatives of the School Committee and three members of the High School Board of Governors, to wait upon the West Coast members of the Canterbury Education Board and discuss the question of a Technical School site, and asking for the names of the School Committee’s representatives. Mr. Blair moved that the Chairman, Messrs Tennent and-Williams be appointed.—Seconded by Mr. Aldridge and carried.

Mr. Orams was of the opinion that the only suitable site was the Town Belt, and that they should fight tooth and nail for it, even if they had to acquire Mr. Perotti’s land adjoining. He moved that it be a recommendation to the delegates to fight for the Town Belt site. Mr. Williams seconded, pro forma. Mr. Tennent did not think the delegates’ hands should be tied. Inspector Valentine had pointed out that it would be advisable to secure a fiveacre block, and the speaker favoured the block on the south side of the Recreation Ground, which would provide ample space, and the present Recreation Ground could be used as a play-ground. There would also be sufficient room to permit of experimental farming being carried on. Mr Weaver stated that the question of land rested with the Borough, and the latter wanted to go into the matter with the Committee’s representatives and the High School Board of Governors. After further discussion, Mr. Orams withdrew his motion conditionally on the Committee’s representatives seeing that they secure a five-acre block. Mr. Williams moved that letters of thanks and appreciation be forwarded to Inspector Valentina and Mr. J. F. Wilson for their recent instructive lectures.—Seconded by Mr. Tennent and carried. *

SECONDARY SCHOOL ASSISTANT From the Canterbury Education Board, stating that no response had been received in connection with the advertisement for the position of Third Assistant in the Secondary Department of the District High School, and that Mr. Bignell, a member of the Boara, was of the opinion that the High School might be induced to supplement the salary and make the position more attracts i ve. —Reoe i ved. RECTOR’S REPORT. I have to report for June as follows; “Primary Department. —The average roll no. was 276 boys and 255 girls, total 531. The average attendance was 254 boys and 223 girls, total 477. The average no. of absentees was 54. “Secondary Department. —The average roll no. was 44 boys and 32 gii-ls, total 76. The average attendance was 40 boys and 30 girls, total 70. The average no. of absentees was 8. “Blaketown.—The average roll no. was 50 boys and 45 girls, total 95. The average attendance was 44 boys rnd 40 girls, total 84. The average no. of absentees was 11. Miss Dunn was absent through illness on the 17th, 18th, and half the 19th. Miss Moore was absent through illness on the 19th. “Mr. W. R. Scott, the recently appointed Senior Assistant in the Secondary Department, entered upon his duties on the 4th. “Herewith I forward a medical certificate from Miss Murdoch. ’ The report was adopted. MISCELLANEOUS. It was resolved, on the motion of Messrs Tennent and Blair, that, as recommended by the old Committee, Mr. Weenink be paid the sum of £5 for cleaning up the grounds at the time of his appointment to the position of caretaker. Mr. Tennent brought up the matter of providing hot drinks for the children attending the school from the country districts. He pointed out the further disadvantages the children were subjected to as regards the trains being delayed. After discussion, it was moved by Mr. Blair, and seconded by Mr. 'Williams, that the Chairman interview the Rector and make suitable arrangements, if necessary. —Carried. The Chairman’s action in granting the Presbyterian Sunday School Committee the use of the school rooms for holding examinations this morning was approved, on the motion of Messrs Williams and Tennent, as was

also his action in ordering a truck of coal. ' *• . »

Mr. Williams moved that the matter of what steps should be taken in th© Peace Hay celebrations, be left in the hands of the Chairman to confer with the Rector. —Seconded by Mr Tennent and carried. Mr. Williams drew attention to complaints received from Blaketown, re the throwing of stones on the roof on Sundays whilst children were attending Sunday School, also that the school tank was damaged.

Mr. Weaver stated that the children attending the school had damaged the tank, whilst the throwing oi the stones on the roof was done by rather elderly children. Mr. Orams thought that tlvcs© in charge of the school were to blame. Every effort should be made to bring the offender to book.

Mr. Weaver: “You do not expect the teacher to remain there on Sundays !”

Mr. Tennent suggested that the attention of the teacher in charge be drawn to the matter, and that the children should be impressed with the •seriousness of the offence. Mr. Weaver moved that the Visiting Committee draw the attention of the teacher to the damage done to the tank by the children.—Seconded by Mr. Aldridge and carried.