MEETINGS

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 April 1934, Page 5

MEETINGS

MAIN SCHOOL COMMITTEE Mr. R. A. Barrowman presided ovei’ an attendance of the following members at a meeting of the Greymouth Main School Committee, held last, evening:—Messrs. G. Herring, H. Herring, R. .1. Williams, A. J. Fairmaid, and W. G. Scott (secretary). Apologies for absence were received from Messrs. J. Tennent, A. V. Oliver, and J. C. H. McDonald. The Canterbury Education Board advised that the quarterly grant to the Committee had been reduced by £2/10/-, making a reduction of £lO a year. The Minister for Education (Mr. R. Masters), advised that no funds had been placed at his disposal, from which he could give assistance in the way of subsidies. The Canterbury Education Board wrote that a new range, with highpressure boiler, for the caretaker’s <cottage, would cost £25. The Board was unable to make such an outlay, but if the Committee could’ find £lO, the Board would have the work carried out. —It was decided that the question of providing £lO be held over for discussion by the new Committee.

The Education Board further advised that finances would not permit the enamelling of the interior of the dental clinic, noi- the provision of an additional shelter-shed.

It was decided’ that the Ministers’ Association be asked to carry out the usual Anzac Day service at the school, and that the Municipal Band be asked to attend.

The Headmaster, Mr. J. Graham, reported as follows:—Roll numbers, Grey Main, 283 boys, 249' girls, total 532. Average attendance, 199.6 boys, 172.3 girls; total 371.9. Blaketown, 45 boys, 34 girls; total 79; average attendance, 41.6 boys, 32. G girls; total, 74.2. Miss E. O’Grady has been appointed as an additional assistant for the year. Owing to an epidemic of measles, the attendance at the Main SCchool has suffered considerably, but Blaketown, fortunately, has been practically unaffected. Mr. McCasgill, agricultural instructor, visited’ the school on March 14. The relay and tug-of-war teams were again successful at the recent sports. Special credit is due to the caretaker, Mr. Gleeson, for thoroughly cleansing and disinfecting the school, during the enforced vacation. The report was adopted. UNITED LITERARY CLUB At the annual meeting of the United Literary and Debating Club, the following officers were elected: —Patron, Mr. J. McLean; President, Mr. R. Manchu; Vice-Presidents, Messrs. J. Mosley and S. Strong; secretarytreasurer, Mr. C. J. Strongman; committee, Messrs. A. J. McDowell, AV. Murray and T. Learmont; team selectors, Messrs. J. Both and AV. Murray. The following sylabus was drawn up: —

1934.—April .13, Impromptu speeches; April 20, prepared debates; April 27, prepared speech (criticism by T. Learmont); May 4, toast evening; May 11, prepared debate; May 18, play reading (G. B. Shaw’s); May 25, impromptu speech; June 1, elocutionary evening (own selection) ; June 8, prepared debate (subject: Is War in the East Imminent?); June 15, prepared speech; June 22, impromptu speeches; June 29, McLean Cup (subject to be set by Mr. J. McLean) ; July 6, impromptu speeches (with anonymous criticisms); July 13, prepared debate (subject: That the expenditure on the Westport and Greymouth Harbour Works Should cease and the Point. Elizabeth harbour scheme established); July 20, Shakespearian recitation (piece to be set and judged by Mr. T. Learmont); July 27, magazine evening; August 3, prepared oration; Au,gust. 10, debate (subject to be set one week in advance); August. 17, play reading (Shakespeare); August 24, prepared debate; August 31 magazine evening; September 7, impromptu evening; September 14, prepared speech; September 21, Elocutionary evening; September 28, prepared debate; October 5, wind-up social. Mr. W. Murray, retiring President, referred to the successful year that had transpired. In losing their President, Mr. B. M. Davis, the Club had suffered a serious loss, and much regret was expressed at his departure. The various inter-Clu,b debates with the St. Columba and' Trinity Clubs were referred to by the retiring Chairman, who gave some useful advice to the younger members. Referring to the heavy financial loss resulting in the previous elocutionary competitions, Mr. Murray stated that the Club had thought fit to sever its connection with the Competitions Society, bht up-to-date, the United Club’s resignation has not been accepted.

HOKITIKA BOROUGH COUNCIL [OUB OWN COBBESPONDENT.] 110KITIKA, April 14. A meeting of the Borough Council was held last evening; present.: the Mayor (Mr.\ G. A. Ferry), Crs. T. AV. Duff, Jas. King, A. R. Elcock, Dr. Teichelmann, M. McGavin, D. P. Stuart, H. I. Thompson, A. C. Armstrong. An apology was received for the absence of Cr. G. Heinz. Letters were received from the Secretary of the Returned Soldiers’ Association, Hokitika, applying for permission to hold a sacred concert in the Princess Theatre on Anzac night, and for authority to charge a fee for admission.—Granted. Miss L. Murdoch, application to lease Reserve No. 535 under the provisions of Section 8 (7) of the Public Bodies Leases Act, 1908.—Granted. Hokitika Ladies’ Hockey Club, application for use of No. 2 ground in Cass Square, for hockey.—Granted. Medical Officer of Health, Christchurch, regarding sewerage in Revell Street.—Foreman inquiring into levels. The Acting Chairman No. 12 District Highways Council wrote rergarding visit of members of Main Highways Board' to Hokitika on Friday, April 27, and asking that any matters which the Council desire to bring before the Board should he submitted without delay. Cr. Thompson said that Fitzherbert Street, going into Hokitika, badly needed attention. Cr. Duff said that the main road to Greymouth was in a shocking state. It was resolved to draw the attention of the Highways Board to the matter. The Secretary, Hokitika branch Canterbury Automobile Association, forwarded a cony of letter from the Lands and Survey Department, in respect of the Lake Kanieri Scenic Reserve. The Automobile Association are in favour of the formation of a

Scenic Board and it was asked that the Council support this and nominate a representative to meet the representatives of other Board to discuss the formation of a Scenic Board. Dr. Teichelmann said the lack of sanitary arrangements was the reason for bringing the question forward. He felt sure a local board would do much to popularise Kaneiri Lake.

Cr. Armstrong said that at their last meeting, the Acclimatisation Society considered that they possessed all the machinery necessary for controlling the lake reserve, and suggested that control be in that body, but Dr. Teichelmrtnn, the Mayor and Councillors thought the Government would not countenance any one body controlling the reserve, but that a board representing all would be best. It was resolved that, the Council accede to the request, and the Mayor was appointed. The foreman’s report stated the average depth of water in the reservoir for the month, was 2ft 2in. The Gold Band Taxies applied for permission to instal a kerbside pump and another inside Bradley’s Garage, next Dominion Hotel, Revell Street. The Councillors were of the opinion , that, the street was too narrow there for a kerbside pump and could not sanction it; but granted the inside pump. The treasurer Reported '.receipts amounting to £5Bl/13/6, payments £836/12/10, debit balance £257/2/8. Accounts amounting to £598/10/5 were passed for payment. The Abattoir manager reported animals slaughtered during the month — 28 cows, 8 heifers, 66 bullocks, 207 sheep, 231 lambs, 7 pigs, 35 calves. Fees £77/19/-, compared with £7l 10/- for same period last year. The foreman reported on the feasability of obtaining gravel from the river-bed. He was authorised to make arrangements for obtaining riv-er-bed gravel. The foreman also reported on the question of laying drainage pipes for the northern portion of Revell Street. It was resolved to proceed with the work on the Council receiving permission from one of the section owners to lay pines through her property, the owner being in Christchurch. Cr. Duff moved that the Town Clerk prepare a report defining the constitution of the Public Library Committee. He referred to the work being done by the Committee and its efforts to popularise the library. Among these is an attempt to start a youth’s library to provide healthy reading for the young people of the town. The efforts of the Committee were commended by the Council, and the resolution was carried. Cr. Thompson referred to the bad state of the road up the Cemetery Hill, by scouring. It was decided to confer with the Mental Hospital authorities on the matter, as the carting of heavy material to the Mental Hospital had caused some of the damage. Cr. McGavin complained that the typiste who had formerly been employed on half-time, had been granted a fortnight’s holiday only after being appointed a full-time officer seven months ago. The Town Clerk explained that the holiday was granted at the most convenient time for the office work. The Mayor and Councillors, however, considered the question raised was too trivial to bother about. Cr. McGavin contended that it was not a trivial matter.

Cr. Armstrong stated he had been approached by some business people to bring forward the question of having the Ross train delayed on Saturday evenings, as the train leaving at 6.30 gave little opportunity of doing shopping.

Cr. McGavin thought the’ request should come from the Ross end, and' as this seemed to be the general opinion of the Council, the matter was dropped.