TECHNICAL SCHOOL

Greymouth Evening Star, 7 November 1939, Page 3

TECHNICAL SCHOOL

BOARD OF GOVERNORS. The Board of Governors of the Greymouth Technical High school met last evening, there being present: Messrs T. E. Coates (chairman). J. B. Kent, J. Goodall, M.L.C., J. H. North, A. HMcKane, C. F. Shapcott. D. A. McLean, E. B. E. Taylor, A. A. Adams. J. E. White. Mrs. C. H. Lindsay and the Principal, Mr. W. M. Stewart. Tenders for renovations at the school were discussed, and the tendeis of W. Rathbun (carpentry) and Jackson and McGirr (plumbing) were accepted. , , , Accounts for £7G9 12/8 (school) and £173 1/2 (hostel), were passed tor payment. The Education Department wrote enjoining that Boards make every endeavour to make school purchases in New Zealand, and added that it. had come to its notice that some schools had been purchasing such goods as caps and stationery overseas. The Principal said that the only things the school purchased oveiseas were some scientific apparatus and some books which could not be procured in New Zealand. As far as possible requirements were tilled in New Zealand.

The Education Department wrote urging economy in the use of stationery and office requisites. The Department advised that no deductions were to be made on the superannuation charge in regard to teachers on military service. The Principal said that the school was not affected.

The Greymouth Emergency Precautions Committee wrote asking for permission to use the school hostel in the case of a national emergency. The Principal said he understood that it was intended to use the hostel as an auxiliary hospital, if the necessity arose.

Mr. McKane: 1 think we can be quite safe in granting it. Mr. Shapcott: If there is a. national emergency, they will take it. whether we give permission or not.

The application was granted. The Education Board advised that the terms for 1940 had been fixed as follow: First, February G to May. second. May 23 to August 1G; third, September 10 to December 13. Mr. Taylor, for the- Visiting Committee, reported that he and Mr. Shapcott visited the school and hostel. At

commodate 50 bicycles had been built. The Principal reported that he had had the tennis courts repaired at the cost of a couple of pounds, and had received a price, £9 10/- for the top-dressing of the courts during the Christmas vacation. The school grounds were m particularly good order. At the Hostel, a new carpet runner, to the boys dormitory was required, and the springs in the wire mattresses in a dormitoi j needed, tightening, if not replacing. The settee in the girls’ sitting-room required replacing or extensive repairs, the room required papering, and a new carpet was necessary. It was decided to have the settee, the papering, and the mattresses attended to. and the question of a carpet. and a carpet runner was left to Mrs. Lindsay and the Matron. Mrs. Lindsay and Mr. North were appointed a Visiting Committee for the month.

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT. The monthly report of the Principal, as follows, was adopted: — One girl lias been enrolled, and three girls and four boys have been withdrawn, leaving the number on the school roll at 292 (143 boys and 149 girls). The average attendance for the month has reached the satisfactory level of 94.5 per cent. The Canterbury Education Board has called for tenders for the erection of the Domestic Science Block, and the Chemistry Laboratory is in lull use in its reconditioned state. The grounds and gardens are in excellent, condition. Some much-needed surface repairs have been carried out on the tennis court, and an estimate has been obtained for a top-dressing of the surface to be done during the Christmas holidays. The hedge round the Shakespeare Street, and Marlborough Street boundary of the football ground has been completed. Four teams have been entered in the West Coast Cricket coinpetitions, one in the senior grade, one in second grade and two in third grade; the inter tribal cricket matches are in course of play. It is hoped to play the annual match against the second eleven of Nelson College in Creymoutb at the end of the school year in mid-December. A large proportion of the girls and a good number of boys tire actively eni gaged in tennis. Cricket and tennis matches will shortly he played against teams from Hokitika District High .School. Since September 27, £2 13/lias been received for school subscriptions, making a, total to date of £ll4 0/8. Other receipts amount to £25. Payments have amounted to £l5 4/10.

proximately £l5. The credit balance in hand is £74 13/-.

The annual fete and exhibition of work took place on November 1, and, despite adverse weather conditions, i which necessitated the cancelling of| the pupils' procession and the display j of girls’ drill, was a. great success in , everv way. The exhibits of class-work I in all departments were quite up to j the usual standard, while the financial result, thanks to the loyal support of parents, pupils and the public, and the hard work of a strong ladies’ committee. again reached a high level. While accounts are not yet it iscertain that a sum of at least £l7o, and probably more, will be available for the Assembly Hai» Fund. It is with pleasure that I once more place on record the thanks of the school to all the workers and supporters who contributed so generously to so fine a result. The opening of the function was performed by the Mayor, to whom thanks are due. Opportunity was taken to declare the official opening oi the new trades block and of the newly constituted laboratory. The public took full advantage of the opportunity to see interesting practical work being carried out in the engineering and woodwork departments, and also the display of chemistry work in the laboratory. I have been asked to allow the boys of the School to render service of various kinds in connection with the work of the Emergency Precautions Committee, and gladly acceded to the request. The boys have been keen to volunteer for this work. Before the next meeting of the Board, the final school examinations of the year will be held. Entries for the various public examinations, including t’niversitv Entrance. School Certificate Public Service Entrance. and Public Service Commissioners' Examinations. are normal in number. The number of pupils in residence at the School Hostel is 30 (15 boys and 15 girls t. The health of all has remained satisfactory. Evening classes, which continue to show satisfactory performances. will close for the year on Friday. December 1.

The Principal added that the annual fete and exhibition had been highly successful, and with further sums com-j ing in, the total proceeds would probably be £2OO. A motion of thanks was passed to the Principal and staff, the Women’s Committee, Mrs. Lindsay, and the public for their valuable assistance in ensuring the success of the fete and. exhibition. The Principal said that the assembly hall funds were now approaching