GREY TECHNICAL SCHOOL

Greymouth Evening Star, 15 August 1933, Page 9

GREY TECHNICAL SCHOOL

BOARD OF GOVERNORS MEET. Members of the Board of Governors of the Greymouth Technical High School met, last evening. Mr T. E. Coates presided, and Messrs J. B. Kent, F. B. Lawn. W. Kyle, C. K. Millar, W. Blair, P. Nelson, J. Goodall, Mrs R. L. Chalk, and the Principal (Mr R. McLaren) were also present. Apologies for absence were received from Dr. J. AV. Mcßrearty and Messrs W. H. Parfitt and A. .1. Fairmaid. At the Finance Committee meeting, held prior to the ordinary meeting, Mr Fairmaid announced that his term having expired, he would not seek reelection to the Board. Owing to pressure of other duties he had to ask on numerous occasions to be relieved of many things in connection with the work of the Board. He had been pleased to have been a member, and his association with the Principal, and members of the Board had been of the happiest. He regretted having to resign, but the present industrial position of the country demanded that more time be given by a man in his usition, and he could not give the necessa’ry attentidn to the matters connected with the school. He assured members that he would be happy, at any time, to render them any assistance that he could, towards the welfare of the school.

The Chairman, on behalf of the Board, expressed regret that Mr Fairmaid was not seeking re-election. The services of Mr Fairmaid had been of very great help to the school, and the Board. Mr Kent, and the Principal, also expressed regret at Mr Fairmaid’s retirement.

Accounts totalling £76/12/2 were passed for payment.

The Chairman extended a welcome to Mr J. Nelson, who had been elected to the Board by the trade unions, in place of Mr F. L. Turley, who had resigned. Mr Nelson returned thanks for the Chairman’s welcome. The Technical Education Association advised that the subjects for discussion would not warrant a conference being held this year.

The Department of Education forwarded a, circular letter, dealing with the annual technological examination. The regulations governing the examination require that candidates should have at least the standing of a third year apprentice in the trade or calling to which the examination refers. The Principal of the Auckland Technical College had suggested that in view of the present difficulties in obtaining apprentices, the conditions should be relaxed to the extent of allowing candidates to sit without fulfilling that condition, but that the certificates be withheld until their third year in an approved workshop. The circular asked that the Board forward their opinion on the question.

The Principal stated that there was not really much in it. The examination was for third year boys, bu,t apparently there were some who desired to tak e it before that time. It was decided to approve the suggestion that the regulations be relaxed to permit of candidates sitting Cor the examination before they had been apprenticed for three years. Votes of thanks were passed to Messrs AV. B. Hutton and F. M. Smyth fqr donations to the tennis court fund, and also tq Mrs A. C. Dickson, the teachers, and the Greymouth Playlovers, lor their effort, which had resulted in £2l/14/8 being netted 1 for the fund.

Mr F. B. Lawn, for the Visiting Commitee, reported that everything in connection with the School and the Hostel was satisfactory. Mr Kyle and Dr. Mcßrearty were appointed a visiting committee for the ensuing month.

On the motion of the Chairman, it was decided to place on record appreciation of the services that Mr A. J. Fairmaid had rendered the School, and regret at his retirement. A request for a load of loam, by the Grey Main School, was granted for gardening purposes. It was decided to inform the Main School that the Board required the remainder of the loam. PRINCIPAL’S REPORT. The Principal submitted the following monthly report:—• I have the honour to report that the average roll is ‘>l3 and that the average attendance is 93.5 per cent., which is satisfactory. The term’s work: I am happy to say that the conduct and diligence of the pupils during this term have been very satisfactory. In a few instances, the attendance has not been what it should have been, but wet days and consequent colds have, no doubt, been the cause. Nevertheless, poor attendance always means poor progress._ This mid'-term is generally the crucial one —work well planned and done now, carries its reward at the mid of the year. The term ends on Friday, August IS, when all the examinations will be over and the reports sent out to the parents. Staff: Mr Kania has been absent from duty all this week. On. Sunday morning last he received the sad news of his mother’s sudden death in Invercargill. To him, at such a time, we extend our kindest sympathy. He resumed on Monday, August 14. Tennis Courts: Special endeavour for funds: In the Town Hall on the 7th and Sth of this month an exceedingly successful presentation of “The Private Secretary” (a. three-act play) was given by Airs Dickson and her associates of the Playlovers. The proceeds were for the benefit of our tennis courts. The farce was well supported by the public and thoroughly enjoyed. Congratulations and special thanks are dug to Mrs Dickson and the Playlovors, and to the members of our staff who so ably acted in, organised and staged this delightful comedy. Also I must not, in this brief reteience, forget to mention the friends of the School and the endeavours of our own pupils. Flection of Representative for Employees and Unions. —Mr J. Nelson (A.S.R.S.) was duly'elected on Monday, -inly 17. as the representative on the Board for Employees and Unions, in place of Air I l ’. L. Turley. He will accordingly be a. permanent member tor Hie ensuing three years. Rugby: After a well-contested game on Saturday, July 39, our School team won back the Newman Shield from the Hokitika High School. Especially in the second half of the game, the play was brisk and interesting. Soccer: On Saturday, sth inst., ou,r 13 team won the third grade competition in the Association games. The teams’ displays Ibis season have been consistently good. Basketball: On July 22, two of our girls’ teams visited Hokitika, where a. happy, sportful afternoon was spent. The Principal mentioned that the attendance at the School was very satisfactory, and last week, a very cold week, the attendance had averaged 96.4 per cent. Th e work had been ably carried out, and although they had liad several staff changes, he

considered that next term would’ make up for time lost. In reply to Air Lawn, the Principal slated that the funds in hand to start, tennis courts, amounted to ;C3O.

After some discussion, the Chairman and Messrs Lawn and Blair were appointed a. committee to consider the question of commencing the work on the courts.

Air Goodall asked whether (he employees of the Board were covered under the AA r orkers’ Compensation Act. —lt. was left to the Chairman to go into the matter of the Board’s insurance policies.