RUNANGA NOTES

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 July 1934, Page 10

RUNANGA NOTES

[ODE OWN CORRESPONDENT.] At the monthly meeting of the State School Committee, there were present Messrs W. Armstrong, C. Kennedy, J. Kyle, E. Muncaster and J. Piner (secretary). An apology for absence w’as received from the Chairman, Mr R. Armstrong. Mr W. Armstrong was voted to the chair. Mr E. Muncaster was admitted as a member of the committee. There are still three vacant seats on the committee. The Headmaster, Mr J. McLeod, reported as follows:—Roll 231, average 206.2. During the week ending June 22 the attendance was badly affected by influenza, an average of 46 children being absent daily. Miss Hope from Blaketown has taken up relieving duty in place of Miss' Dunstan. Miss E. Malpass is at present absent through sickness, and so far no relieving teacher has been secured. Hot cocoa in the morning has. been enjoyed by the pupils, and has been very acceptable to them during - the recent cold weather. The scheme arranged will probably pay its way, so that no call will be made on the Committee’s funds. I have to report that the lock on the back door of the Methodist Church has been forced. About 21bs of cocoa and some soap were taken on Monday night. It w-as decided to refer the breaking of the church lock to the police. The Canterbury Education Board wrote accepting the resignation of Miss Dunstan.

The Minister of Education, in reply to the request for a grant for improvements to the schoolgrou,nd, wrote regretting that he had no funds available for such work and suggesting that the Committee approach the Unemployment Board with a view to having the work done under the No. 5 Scheme. He also suggested approaching the Education Board with a view to having a scheme formulated for the complete laying out of the ground. It was decided to arrange for Mr Bignell to inspect' th<s ground, and

then again approach the Minister, giving the co'st, etc. Regarding a letter from the Board in connection with Arbor Day, it was decided not to celebrate it this year owing to the ground not being laid out. The young trees are to be left in the garden until later. The West Coast School Committees’ Association wrote regarding joining up with that organisation.—lt was decided not to do anything in the matter, as members would be unable to attend the meetings, and membership to the Association was of no benefit to the. Committee.

Regarding replacing Miss Malpass while on sick leave, the Secretary of the Education Board advised the Committee to try to secure a temporary teacher from Hokitika, as, under the rationing scheme teachers are allowed only 10/- per week for board ,and it would not be payable for a teacher to go from Christchurch to Runanga; although, if compelled, a teacher would have to accept the appointment or lose any further chance of temporary employment.—lt was decided to attempt to procure a teacher from Hokitika, and failing this to request the Board to supply a teacher.

The Canterbury Winter Show Committee wrote ' regarding the school excursion this year.—lt was left to the Headmaster to ascertain the number making the trip and make the arrangements.

The Headmaster asked for a grant out of the proceeds of the school concert for the school library.—lt was decided to grant £5. The school concert was an unqualified success, showing a profit of £l4. The Health Department advised that the amount of the yearly contribution for the Dental Clinic had been reassessed, and would be £ll/15/in lieu of £l9/10/-.