HOKITIKA NOTES

Greymouth Evening Star, 28 February 1935, Page 12

HOKITIKA NOTES

fOUB OWN COKRESPONOEN'I 1

HOKITIKA, February 28. A well-attended meeting was held in*the Soldiers’ Hall on Tuesday evening to consider the formation of a Musical Society. Mr. J. L. Menzies presided. It was decided that the aims of the Society be to extend and deepen the knowledge of music through the medium of recitals by visiting artists, and by such other means as shall from time to time be deemed expedient. The following officers were elected: —Patron, Mr. J. D. Evans; President, Mr. J. L. Menzies; Vice-President, Mrs. B, L Wilson'; secretary, Mr. W. Lindsay: treasurer, Mr S. H. Dromgoole; committee, Mrs. Jordan, Miss A. P. Duff, Miss A. Daly, Miss E. Dale, Rev. G. A. Naylor, Messrs. R. Tennent, P. Mulbrennan, J. B. Ward. The annual subscription was fixed at 12/-, entitling members to two tickets for each of four recitals, and to such other benefits that might be provided. Arrangements are in train for a recital at an early date. Lord and Lady Baden-Powell and party arrived, last evening, in Hokitika. Mrs. G. A. Perry (Girl Guide Commissioner), and Mr. >J. L. Menzies (Scout Commissioner), called on the visitors this morning, before the party left for Waiho. The monthly meeting of the Hokitika School Committee was held last evening; present: Messrs. tA. C. Armstrong (Chairman), H. W. R. Sweney, A McDougall, W. H. Shannon, J. J. Breeze, R. J. Pedder, W. E. Richards, J. Conning (secretary), Rev. G. A. Naylor. > The West Coast School Committees Association notified that the monthly meeting will be held on March 2. Mr. H. W. R. Sweney was appointed to attend. • The Akaroa" High School Board wrote stating that no concessions had been received regarding boarding allowance. —Received. It was resolved to forward a letter of thanks to the Runanga Borough Council for their efforts towards making- the Hokitika picnic at Runanga a success. The treasurer reported the receipt of £1 towards the Newman Shield match expenses, from the Ross School Committee. Donations of 10/- each were received from Father O’Gorman and Mr. Loney, of Koiterangi. The Education Board forwarded conditions’ of contracts with motor proprietors for conveying pupils to school. Mr. M. Wallace, Kokatahi, on behalf of the Kokatahi School Committee wrote asking* if assistance can be procured from the High School Board of Governors towards conveying children to school. —The matter was discussed later. It was resolved that the Board be asked to provide new lino for the dental clinic. It was resolved that a letter of appreciation be sent to the Canterbury Board for renovations carried out at the Hokitika School. It was resolved to forward a letter of thanks to the Hokitika Swimming Club for the assistance given to school children. ' An item in the accounts for badges caused a lively discussion. The amount (2/17/6), had previously been held up by the Committee, the expenditure not having been authorised. The Chairman explained that the committee thought the expense should not be recurring; the badges should be handed on to successors. After discussion, it was decided, on the motion of Mr. Richards, seconded by Mr. Naylor, that the account be paid by the Committee. The Rector’s report showed the following atendances: —Secondary: Roll at end of year boys 54, girls 35, total 89;No. withdrawn: boys 10, girls 11, total 21; No. admitted: boys 27, girls 25, total 52; present roll: boys 71, girls 49, total IzO; average attendance for two weeks: boys 63.3, girls 40.7, total 104. Primary:—Roll at end of year: boys 17fT. girls 143, total 322; No. withdrawn: boys 17, girls 22, total 39; No. admitted: boys 12, girls 7, total 19; present roll: boys 174, girls 128, total 302; average attendance for two weeks: boys 157.3, girls 144. total 301.3. New enrolments in the Secondary Department number 52, of whom 28 are from outlying schools, and 24 from the Primary Department. The total number of scholars from other schools attending in all forms is at present 48. There is usually some difficulty in ascertaining at the beginning of the yeai* what pupils have definitely left, and I should be grateful parents of pupils would inform me when pupils are leaving. If this were done, the courtesy would be appreciated. I should like to make clear* the regulation regarding condition of entry to the school. It reads as follows: —“Children may be entered' on the register when they are six years of age or during the first four weeks of the school term in which they reach that age.” It should be further noted that “the vacation which immediately follows any school term shall be regarded as part of that term.” This means that for this term any child whose sixth birthday occurs before May 24, may be enrolled provided this is done before Friday, March 1. On Wednesday, 13th inst., the primary school swimming sports were held, and the High School sports on Friday, 15th inst. In both, the entries and the standard of swimming showed a distinct advance. The Mayor presented the Challenge Cups to the High School champions. I desire to record my appreciation of the splendid cooperation of the Hokitika Swimming

Club on all occasions, and to thank

them for their generous action in I throwing open the baths to non-swim-mers during the period of enforced afternoon closing, when special classes were organised under the supervision and instruction of members of the staff. To the enthusiasm of this body and their genuine interest in the welfare of the school children can be attributed the improvement in swimming, and for this I am sure that parents, teachers and children are gratefin. I would suggest to your committee the desirability of issuing certificates similar to those formerly issued by the Canterbury Swimming Centre for distances from 25 yards to 880 yards, to encourage not only the learning of swimming but also its steady development. I should be pleased to know whether it would be possible to have the plots lining the drive thoroughly dug and considerably raised by the addition of good new soil. Could this be done, we would •take steps to have the plots re-planted. I should be glad if the question of bus services might be reviewed. Seeing that the attendance at the Secondary Department had trenched 120—the number necessary for the establishment of a separate high school, the question of the Westland High School Endowment Funds was again discussed, and it was resolved that another effort be made for assistance towards the travelling or boarding or

both, of pupils from outside districts attending the High School. The Chairman. Rector and secretary were authorised to interview Mr. Wild on the matter of obtaining assistance for pupils attending from Kokatahi.