MAIN SCHOOL COMMITTEE

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 April 1932, Page 5

MAIN SCHOOL COMMITTEE

MONTHLY MEETING At the monthly meeting of the Committee of the Grey Main School, held last evening, there were present Messrs R. A. Barrowman (Chairman), W. Scott, G. Herring, A. J. Fairmaid, R. J. Williams, H. Herring and J. Tennent. An apology for absence was received from the Secretary, Mr, J. C. H. McDonald. Mr. H. Herring acted as temporary secretary. The resignations of Miss M. Ferguson, and Miss B. McSherry were accepted with regret. On the motion of Mr. Scott, it was decided that letters of thanks on behalf of the Committee be sent to both teachers, thanking them for their .fine efforts on behalf of the school.

The West Coast Horticultural Society wrote asking if a room at the school could be provided for the Society’s monthly lectures, and offering to defray the cost of lighting.— It was decided to accede to the request. Miss M. Phelan wrote stating that she had been granted leave of absence to visit the Old Country, and advising that she would not be teaching after April 30. The Dental Nurse’s report, as follows, was adopted. Total No. of operations, 331. Three new patients were examined and 51 re-examined. The report of the Principal, Mr. J. Graham, as follows, was read and adopted:— Roll' Number: Main School, boys 196; girls 281; total 577; average: boys, 276; girls, 260; total 536. Roll number, Blaketown: Boys 48; girls 40. Total 88; average boys 45; girls 37; total 82. Attendance: Notwithstanding an epidemic of colds, which affected chiefly the infant classes, the attendance for March at both the Main and Blaketown Schools is distinctly good. Swimming: On March 24, a successful swimming carnival was held in the Municipal Baths. There were 169 entries in the programme of 23 events. Every credit is due to all members of the staff, to Mr. F. J. Tempero, handicapper and starter, especially, for their untiring efforts to make the function an outstanding success. Agriculture.—During the month, Mi’. Johnson, Agricultural Inspector, visited the School and reported very favourably on the work carried out in and around the School, Miss Lilburn’s efforts being specially commended. General. —Miss B. McSherry relinquished her duties in the Main School, and at a special staff meeting, Miss McSherry was presented with two handsome volumes of short stories as a mark of the esteem in which she is held by all members of the staff. Miss M. Irwin, of Hokitika, is the relieving teacher. As this is the final Committee meeting of the year, may I, on behalf of the staff, convey to all members my sincere thanks for their unswerving loyalty, co-operation, and indefatigable efforts on behalf of the school and trust that this happy state of affairs will be contihued during the incoming year. Two loads of soil are required for the Blaketown School and wood and coke for the furnace. The Chairman reported that the Education Board had agreed to the expenditure of £5O on the caretaker’s residence. The Chairman reported on the meeting held during the week regarding the widening /of the scope of the dental clinic. Nothing concrete had been done but all present had been ypry keen on the extending of the clinic’s activities. 7 The Chairman said that the Clinic authorities held that the clinic work must be done in the properly-equipped room. Mr. Tennent said that at least the initial stages of the work had been carried out.

The Chairman said that the Government Clinic Officer, Mr. Bryce, would forward the approximate cost of the bringing of the clinic up to the required standard. The clinic at present was not up to standard. Mr. Tennent said that he took the stand that the Committee should have ‘no further financial responsibility for the clinic. Mr. Williams thought that the Main School Committee should be reimbursed for the sum they had already spent on the clinic. Mr. Tennent mentioned the sum of £5O as being a reasonable request. Mr. H. Herring said that he thought the matter could safely be left to the Chairman and Mr. McDonald. No action was taken.

Mr. H. Herring referred to the unnecessary expenditure of the Education Department in sending out instructors in “physical jerks” and agriculture, and said he thought it advisable that the Committee should apply at once at the beginning of the financial year, for the subsidy for which they had been waiting nearly two years. He moved that the Department be asked to give the Main School Committee subsidy a prior claim over all other subsidies. The motion was seconded by Mr. Scott and carried.