SCHOOL COMMITTEE

Greymouth Evening Star, 5 June 1922, Page 6

SCHOOL COMMITTEE

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Grey District High School Committee was held on Friday evening. Present: Messrs J. Tennent (chairman), J. Sherratt, T. B. Baty, T. Collms, F. Pullen, J. Weaver, R. J. Williams, and J. H. Whitburn (secretary). An apology for absence was received from Mr F. C. Wade. The Rector’s report (dated June 2) stated that although the weather had been fine, the attendance was only “satisfactory,” there being over 60 children absent from the primary department on that day. The averages were as follow:—Secondary, 113 out of 120; primary, 510 out of 556; Blaketown, 104 out of 115; totals 727 out of 791. Minor damage was caused at the school by the recent gale, and proper door fastenings were necessary. Miss McKnight is relieving Miss Cornwall at Blaketown, the latter being in hospital with diphtheria. Mi’s Parnell had been granted a further month’s leave of absence.

The report was approved. Mr Pullen stated that tho prevalence of sickness in the town had affected the attendance at the school. A hearty vote of thanks w’as accorded to the Municipal Band for their services on the King’s Birthday. Mr P. Mackenzie is to be notified that the Cobden and Grey School Committees request him to continue to represent them on the Technical School Board of Governors. Tho Canterbury Education Board wrote, stating that a Pres sreport of the Committee’s proposal to pay an honorarium of £5 to the late secretary, had been brought to the Board’s attention. Such a payment would be illegal. The Chairman : “That is something that th® Press has let us in for.” Tho letter was received and no action taken. The West Coast Rugby League Centre wrote suggesting that the League game be introduced at the schools and given a fair trial.

Mr Pullen said that in face of the decision of the Teachers’ Institute at the Wellington conference, against children playing football, he did not see what the Committee could do. The Chairman suggested that the matter be referred to tho Rector. Mr Weaver moved that the letter bo received and no action taken. Seconded by Mr Williams. Mr Pullen moved, as an amendment, that the matter be referred to the Rector. —Seconded by Mr Collins. Mr Weaver objected to putting anything on the Rector that the Committee should deal with. It was stated that the Wellington Conference was probably against football being played in school hours. The Chairman said that he would support the amendment. Mr Weaver: “Then I take it that the Committee is still the fifth wheel of tho coach?”

Mr Pullen: “Well, it must be the bogey wheel, as it wobbles all over the place !’ The amendment was carried. The Canterbury Board recommended Miss Nita 0. M. Hopkins for appointment as assistant at the Grey District High School, and asked if the Committee had any recommendation to make. Mr Williams moved that the recommendation be approved. Mr Pullen, in seconding the resolution, •aid it was very pleasing to know that the Board had recommended a former pupil of the school. That spoke highly for the tuition given at the Grey School. The Chairman said that the Inspector heartily approved the appointment of Miss Hopkins. The resolution was carried unanimously. The credit balance was reported to be £2B/6/6. Accounts totalling £l6/11/9 were passed for payment.

The Visiting Committee (Messrs Tennent and Williams) reported that everything was working smoothly. Minor repairs needed attention, and the school requisites required replenishing.

It was resolved that various recommendations were carried out. On the motion of Mr Williams, it was decided the Secretary interview the Rector regarding school requisites, and apply to the Board for what was required. The report was adopted. Messrs Pullen and Weaver were appointed a visiting committee for the ensuing month The Chairman reported on the recent visit of the Hon. C. J. Pare to the school. Various matters had been brought to his attention, and consideration had been promised. The Chairman was optimistic as to the result. Mr Pullen: “I am confident that Mr Parr was satisfied with the efforts being made to keep the school up to standard pitch.”